The Institute of Chimney Sweeps
ICS Sweep Training Course
The Institute Of Chimney Sweeps was formed in 2004 and currently we have over 600
members in the UK, Spain, France, Portugal and the USA. The Institute prides itself on being
a benchmark for competence and safety to ensure high standards for sweeping, inspection
and maintenance of chimneys, wood burning stoves and oil fired appliances within the
industry.
ALL ICS members are required to undertake our two-day course at our Maidstone training
centre before being accepted as members. The ICS training course is a comprehensive
general introduction to the chimney sweeping trade, as well as advice and overview of all
the tools required for sweeping. We also offer as part of the course extensive practical
training in our centre using our onsite appliances and open fireplaces.
This gives potential Sweeps the opportunity to sweep a variety of real life situation in a safe
environment without causing damage or danger to life. It also allows ICS staff to evaluate
students in a practical situation.
What Is The Institute Of Chimney Sweeps?
The Institute Of Chimney Sweeps was formed to allow existing Sweeps who did not already
belong to an Association a means of trading and complying with current trading practices.
The Association also has a sophisticated search engine to aid the general public in locating
sweeps in any particular location.
ICS two-day courses are held at our Maidstone Training Centre and A principal tutors are
Chris Sargeant and Danny Kemp. Both Chris and Danny have been sweeping for many years
and between them have over 30 years chimney sweeping experience. Course director is
Danny Kemp, and Course administrators Chris Sargeant, Claudette Antill, and Peter McCalla.
Will I need to take a written exam?
Whilst no written exam is taken a multiple-choice questionnaire will be required to
completed during the day. Of course, you are advised to make your own notes and ask any
questions throughout the course as you deem fit. You are also required to attend the course
in full to ensure completion. A course manual, pens, paper etc. will be supplied to all
attendees.
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The Institute Of Chimney Sweeps, Unit G 6, Powerhub, St Peters Street, Maidstone, Kent ME16 0ST
Tel: 01622 670333 Email: [email protected] Web: www.instituteofchimneysweeps.com
The Institute of Chimney Sweeps
What does the course involve?
Courses are over two consecutive days at various times throughout the year.
The courses are designed for both the new sweep and the more experienced sweep. The
course will cover all aspects of Chimney sweeping including the tools required, a brief
History of Chimney Sweeping, and the practical aspect, along with tuition on and the
opportunity to gain ‘hands on’ knowledge of sweeping various wood burning appliances and
‘live’ open fires.
Advice will be given on chimney pots, terminal types, Chimney Stack construction, the
different Chimney lining systems, CCTV inspections, as well as advice on marketing and
advertising your business.
A buffet lunch and refreshments are included on both course days
What will the course cover?
Welcome: An introduction to your course tutors and a little about yourself.
History of Chimney Sweeping: A brief outline of our trade through the ages and ‘The Lucky
Sweep’ at a wedding.
PPE: Personal Protective Equipment, Health and Safety and working in a safe working
environment.
Tools of The Trade: Advice and examples of many of the tools required to carry out a
chimney sweep, rods, brushes and vacuums etc. We will cover CCTV equipment and advice
and demonstrations of ‘power sweeping’.
Methods Used and How to Sweep a Chimney: We will instruct you in the practical
applications needed to sweep a flue and point out dangers and pitfalls the sweep is likely to
encounter and how to deal with any issues found.
Chimney Pots, Cowls and Terminals: We will give instruction into the many various types of
pots and their use for a particular chimney system and reasons why certain types of
terminals would be used.
CCTV Inspection and Survey: CCTV equipment inspection will be demonstrated and trainees
are encouraged to carry out a CCTV inspection on the flue systems onsite and instruction
given in what to look for and how best to deal with what has been discovered.
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The Institute Of Chimney Sweeps, Unit G 6, Powerhub, St Peters Street, Maidstone, Kent ME16 0ST
Tel: 01622 670333 Email: [email protected] Web: www.instituteofchimneysweeps.com
The Institute of Chimney Sweeps
Vacuum System: Advice and guidance on the correct type of vacuum cleaner needed to
ensure the safe clearing of the chimney system and advice on the safe and legal disposal of
the soot residues.
COSHH & MSDS: Advice will be given to all trainees regarding the Control of Substances
Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for disposal of soot
and products of combustion.
Practical Sweeping Tuition: The ICS has a large training facility which has been installed with
an open fire and chimney system and trainees will have the opportunity to sweep various
appliances on site and shown various methods of sheeting and ways to keep escaping soot
to a minimum. There is an inglenook fireplace as well as wood burning stoves and trainees
are encouraged to try to remove and replace various baffle plates and dampers.
Does a certificate mean I am qualified?
The certificate issued to you on completion the course confirms that you have attended the
Institute’s course and that instruction has been given to enable you to feel confident in
sweeping and advising your customers on the safe use of their appliances. The certificate
will only be handed out after you have been assessed by our Mentor in a live setting who
will confirm your sweeping ability, this should be within three months of attending the
course and will be in your local area, the cost of this is included within your initial course
outlay.
No two chimneys are the same and over a period of time you will gain valuable experience
and knowledge and be confident the advice you give is accurate.
At course completion you will be given mobile telephone numbers of the principal tutors
and their advice and guidance is available all the time you are a member.
It is important to know there is no legal requirement to belong to a Chimney Sweeping
Association, however, all Insurance Companies require it as a condition of insurance.
How do I book an ICS training course?
Should you wish to attend an ICS training course please look at the ICS website training page
for the next available dates www.instituteofchimneysweeps.com then telephone 01622
670333 or you can contact us via email at [email protected] The
courses cost £875.00 and a place can be secured with a non refundable deposit of £200.00
which guarantees your place. Lunch and refreshments are provided on both days and are
included within the course cost. Your first year membership is also included, as is the final
assessment charge.
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The Institute Of Chimney Sweeps, Unit G 6, Powerhub, St Peters Street, Maidstone, Kent ME16 0ST
Tel: 01622 670333 Email: [email protected] Web: www.instituteofchimneysweeps.com