CCS CSIA Inspection Level Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which CSIA inspection level is required when a homeowner replaces an oil-burning appliance with a wood-burning stove?
- Level 1
- Level 2 (Correct answer)
- Level 3
- No inspection is required
Correct answer: Level 2
A Level 2 inspection is required whenever a change is made to the appliance type or fuel type connected to the flue.
Question 2: During a Level 2 inspection, which of the following areas must be accessible for examination?
- Only the firebox and damper
- Accessible portions of the attic, basement, and crawl spaces (Correct answer)
- The entire chimney must be disassembled
- Only the exterior crown and cap
Correct answer: Accessible portions of the attic, basement, and crawl spaces
Level 2 inspections require examination of accessible areas including attics, basements, and crawl spaces in addition to all Level 1 areas.
Question 3: A Level 3 inspection differs from Level 2 primarily because it may require:
- Using a video scan camera
- Removal or destruction of permanently attached components (Correct answer)
- Inspecting the attic space
- Checking the smoke shelf
Correct answer: Removal or destruction of permanently attached components
Level 3 inspections may involve removing or destroying portions of the building or chimney system to access concealed areas when a serious hazard is suspected.
Question 4: Which scenario would most likely trigger a recommendation for a Level 3 inspection?
- Annual maintenance before heating season
- Selling a home with no recent changes
- Evidence of a severe chimney fire with suspected hidden structural damage (Correct answer)
- Installing the same model appliance as before
Correct answer: Evidence of a severe chimney fire with suspected hidden structural damage
A Level 3 inspection is warranted when a serious hazard is suspected that cannot be fully evaluated through Level 1 or Level 2 methods.
Question 5: At a minimum, a Level 1 inspection must evaluate the chimney's:
- Concealed portions behind finished walls
- Structural integrity of the attic framing around the chase
- Readily accessible and visible portions of the exterior and interior (Correct answer)
- Underground foundation footings
Correct answer: Readily accessible and visible portions of the exterior and interior
Level 1 covers readily accessible and visible portions of the chimney exterior, interior, and accessible areas of the appliance connection.
Question 6: According to CSIA standards, a Level 2 inspection is mandatory when:
- The homeowner simply wants peace of mind
- Real estate transactions involve the transfer of property (Correct answer)
- A chimney sweep performs annual cleaning
- The flue liner shows minor staining
Correct answer: Real estate transactions involve the transfer of property
NFPA 211 and CSIA standards require a Level 2 inspection upon the sale or transfer of a property.
Question 7: A video scanning system used during a Level 2 inspection is intended to evaluate:
- Only the exterior brickwork joints
- The interior surfaces of the flue that cannot be directly seen (Correct answer)
- The combustion characteristics of the appliance
- The carbon monoxide levels in the home
Correct answer: The interior surfaces of the flue that cannot be directly seen
Video scanning provides visual access to the interior flue surfaces that inspectors cannot directly observe without removing components.
CCS CSIA Inspection Level Standards 2
Which CSIA inspection level is required when a homeowner replaces an oil-burning appliance with a wood-burning stove?