How often does the chimney sweep carry out the Feuerstättenschau?

Twice during their appointment, which is limited to seven years, at least three and at most five years after the last inspection (Section 14(1), Section 10(1) SchfHwG).

Do I have to book the inspection myself?

No. It is the district sweep's task, and the sweep announces the date (Section 14 SchfHwG, Section 3(1) KÜO). What you must arrange yourself is the work set out in the notice (Section 1(1) SchfHwG).

Can another chimney sweep firm do the work?

Yes, if it meets the requirements of Section 2(1) SchfHwG. You must then prove to the district sweep, on time, that the work was done, using the form and certificates (Section 4(1) and (2)).

What does the notice (Feuerstättenbescheid) contain?

The chimney sweep work required, how often it is due per calendar year, and the start and end of each period, plus a reference to the 14-day deadline for proof (Section 14a(1) and (2) SchfHwG).

DE · Expiry & renewal tracking

Keep the chimney sweep inspection and notice on track

The German district chimney sweep carries out the Feuerstättenschau twice during a seven-year appointment, no earlier than three and no later than five years after the last one (Sections 14(1), 10(1) SchfHwG). The owner must grant access and arrange the work set in the Feuerstättenbescheid on time.

Under Germany's Chimney Sweeps Act (SchfHwG), the appointed district chimney sweep (bevollmächtigter Bezirksschornsteinfeger) inspects all installations in the buildings of the district that require chimney sweep work twice during the appointment, checking operational and fire safety (Feuerstättenschau). An inspection may take place no earlier than three years and should take place no later than five years after the last one (Section 14(1) SchfHwG). The appointment is limited to seven years (Section 10(1)). The sweep announces the date at least five working days in advance unless the owner waives this, and issues a certificate of the result (Section 3(1) and (3) of the Sweeping and Inspection Regulation, KÜO).

Without delay after the inspection, the sweep issues the owner a notice (Feuerstättenbescheid). It lists the chimney sweep work required, how often it is due per calendar year, and the start and end of the period for each task (Section 14a(1) SchfHwG). How often an installation is swept or checked follows Annex 1 of the KÜO (Section 1(4) KÜO).

The owner must arrange the work on time (Section 1(1) SchfHwG). If the owner hires another firm instead of the district sweep, the owner must prove the work was done: the form and certificates must be sent no later than 14 days after the work and must reach the district sweep no later than 14 days after the period in the notice ends (Section 4(1) and (2)). Defects not fixed within the set period are noted on the form, and proof that they have been fixed must be given within six weeks after the end of the period (Section 5(1)).

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At a glance

Inspection (Feuerstättenschau)	Twice during the district sweep's appointment, which is limited to 7 years (Section 14(1), Section 10(1) SchfHwG)
Gap	At least 3 and at most 5 years after the last inspection (Section 14(1))
Announcement	At least 5 working days ahead unless waived (Section 3(1) KÜO)
Notice (Feuerstättenbescheid)	Without delay afterwards; tasks, number per calendar year, start and end of each period (Section 14a(1))
Proof if another firm does the work	Send no later than 14 days after the work; must arrive no later than 14 days after the period ends (Section 4(2))
Defects	Proof of repair within 6 weeks after the period ends (Section 5(1))

The chimney sweep work under the notice may only be carried out by businesses entered in the trades register for the chimney sweep trade, or that meet the requirements for cross-border services (Section 2(1) SchfHwG).

Who is responsible?

The owner of the property or premises; holders of a heritable building right have the same duties (Section 1(1), Section 6 SchfHwG). The owner tells the district sweep without delay, in writing or electronically, about changes to installations, new installations, restarting disused installations and permanent shutdowns; a new owner also reports the change of ownership (Section 1(2)). Owners and occupiers must give access for the inspection (Section 1(3)). The notice also applies to and against the legal successor (Section 14a(5)).

If the deadline passes

Administrative offences include, among others, intentionally or negligently failing to arrange cleaning, checks or chimney sweep work, or to do so in time, refusing access, or failing to send the form and certificates, or to send them in time (Section 24(1) nos. 1, 3 and 4 SchfHwG). If the documents do not arrive within 14 days after the period ends, the district sweep reports this to the authority, which sets out in a second notice which work must be done within which period and warns that it will be done at the owner's expense (Section 25(1) and (2)). If the second notice is not complied with either, the authority orders the work to be done at the owner's expense (Section 26(1)).

Examples from KÜO Annex 1

Gas appliances: open-flued appliances are checked once per calendar year, room-sealed appliances once every second calendar year. Oil appliances in regular use: three sweeps per calendar year. Solid fuel: four sweeps per calendar year for year-round regular use, one for occasional use. Where different duties apply, the lowest number counts; where several appliances share one flue, the highest number counts (Section 1(4) KÜO).

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add each building and enter the next inspection, no more than five years after the last one; add a separate entry for each period in the notice, with its end date.
Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before the date and on the day itself.
The chimney sweep firm can upload the form and certificate through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
Assign a responsible person to each building, such as the property manager; emails arrive in each recipient's language. If a date passes, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.

Frequently asked questions

How often does the chimney sweep carry out the Feuerstättenschau?: Twice during their appointment, which is limited to seven years, at least three and at most five years after the last inspection (Section 14(1), Section 10(1) SchfHwG).
Do I have to book the inspection myself?: No. It is the district sweep's task, and the sweep announces the date (Section 14 SchfHwG, Section 3(1) KÜO). What you must arrange yourself is the work set out in the notice (Section 1(1) SchfHwG).
Can another chimney sweep firm do the work?: Yes, if it meets the requirements of Section 2(1) SchfHwG. You must then prove to the district sweep, on time, that the work was done, using the form and certificates (Section 4(1) and (2)).
What does the notice (Feuerstättenbescheid) contain?: The chimney sweep work required, how often it is due per calendar year, and the start and end of each period, plus a reference to the 14-day deadline for proof (Section 14a(1) and (2) SchfHwG).

Sources

Last checked: Sep 30, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.

Made for chimney sweep heating inspection (Feuerstättenschau) (Germany)

A ready template for chimney sweep heating inspection (Feuerstättenschau) (Germany) with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.

Reminders on time

Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each chimney sweep heating inspection (Feuerstättenschau) (Germany) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.

Assign an owner

Give each chimney sweep heating inspection (Feuerstättenschau) (Germany) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.