It is ordered before a house or a rebuild is accepted into use, and also after a new boiler, fireplace or modular chimney is installed. We check the height above the roof, the distances to combustible structures, the cleaning doors and the connected appliances. In the form, tell us what was built and when acceptance is planned.
When this inspection is needed
- For a new build that has a heating appliance with a flue, or natural ventilation ducts.
- After a chimney is rebuilt or lined, or a new modular chimney is installed.
- If the appliance connected to the flue is replaced with another: before the new appliance is used, the regulations require a certificate on whether it may be connected to the flue.
- If something was redone after an inspection and a new certificate is needed for non-compliances already fixed.
Check with your local building authority (būvvalde) or your site manager which documents it requires for acceptance into use. We prepare a technical condition certificate for flues and ventilation ducts on the form in Annex 8 of the Fire Safety Regulations.
Cabinet Regulation No. 238 “Fire Safety Regulations” of 19.04.2016, point 73: the technical condition inspection establishes compliance with the laws and regulations on construction and use and with the manufacturer's requirements; point 79: replacing an appliance; Annex 8: certificate form. Source: likumi.lv, checked 04.11.2026. Regulations checked 04.11.2026; from 2 January 2027 they will be replaced by new fire safety regulations, which we will check as soon as they are adopted.
What we check under building code LBN 231-15
| Requirement | What it means on site | LBN 231-15 |
|---|---|---|
| Height above the roof | the top of the chimney at least 0.5 m above the roof covering, also on a flat roof; closer than 1.5 m to the ridge, 0.5 m above the ridge | points 61, 62 |
| Cleaning doors | the door's cross-section is not smaller than the flue channel's cross-section; short straight flues up to 7 m may have none | point 53 |
| Distance to combustible materials | at least 300 mm from the outer surface of the flue, 200 mm from the cleaning door, unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise | point 54 |
| Access from the roof | if the flue is cleaned from above, convenient and safe access to it is provided | point 54 |
| Cross-section | for solid fuel at least 175 cm² or 150 mm, for gas and liquid fuel 50 cm² or 80 mm | point 40 |
| Separate flue channel | each stove or hearth has its own flue channel; a stove must not be connected to a gas boiler's flue channel | points 41, 24 |
| Flue gases and ventilation | flue gases must not be discharged into ventilation ducts | point 47 |
| Chimney cap or cowl | allowed if they do not hinder the appliance's operation or the cleaning of the flue | point 65 |
For system chimneys and liners the manufacturer may set the distances to structures, so for the inspection we ask for the installation instructions or the manufacturer's documents. In the attic the flue and the wall it runs through must be whitewashed or painted a light colour so that cracks and soot marks are visible. This requirement does not apply to metal flues.
LBN 231-15 (Cabinet Regulation No. 310 of 16.06.2015), points 24, 40, 41, 47, 48 (fire separations), 53, 54, 61, 62 and 65. Cabinet Regulation No. 238, point 66 (distance requirements do not apply if the manufacturer specifies otherwise), point 83 (in the attic the flue is whitewashed or painted a light colour, except metal flues). Sources: likumi.lv, checked 04.11.2026.
How the inspection is done in a new build
- Documents We look at the design or diagram and the appliance and chimney manufacturers' instructions, if there are any.
- Inspection indoors We check the connected appliances, flue pipes, cleaning doors and the non-combustible floor covering in front of the firebox.
- Attic and floors We measure the distances to timber and look at the fire separations where the flue passes through a floor and the roof.
- Roof We measure the height above the covering and the ridge, and look at the head, the cap and access for cleaning.
- Inside and draught We check (with a camera if needed) that the flue channel has no building debris or leftover mortar, and assess the draught in the flues and ventilation ducts.
- Certificate We fill in the Annex 8 form with a diagram of where the flues run and with photos or video. Every non-compliance is recorded in the remarks with a reference to the requirement.
Cabinet Regulation No. 238, point 63.1: a combustible floor in front of a solid fuel firebox is covered with non-combustible material at least 150 mm from the sides and 300 mm in front; points 76–78: photos or video, drawing of flues, remarks. Source: likumi.lv, checked 04.11.2026.
The most common non-compliances in new builds
- The chimney is too low in relation to the ridge because the roof shape was changed from the design.
- There is no cleaning door, or it is hidden behind wall cladding.
- A timber rafter or thermal insulation is too close to the flue.
- A fireplace and a boiler are connected to one flue channel.
- Building debris or leftover mortar in the flue channel that narrows the cross-section.
Most of these can be fixed before acceptance. If the chimney needs to be raised or rebuilt, that is done as installation or repair work: chimney installation, modular chimney installation. On height: chimney height above the roof.
How much does a flue inspection for building acceptance cost?
There is no single price, because a new build with one fireplace and a building with several flues and ten ventilation ducts are very different jobs. The price depends on the number of flues and ventilation ducts, the height of the building and chimney, access to the roof and attic, and whether a camera is needed. The specialist will name the price after you submit the form, before the work. Other jobs: prices.
Sources
- LBN 231-15: points 24, 40, 41, 47, 53, 54, 61, 62, 65 checked 4 November 2026
- Cabinet Regulation No. 238: 63.1 (floor in front of the firebox), 66 (manufacturer's exception), 73 (scope of the inspection), 76–79, 83 (light colour in the attic), Annex 8 (diagram with natural and mechanical ventilation ducts) checked 4 November 2026