Journeyman exam study guide
Chimney codes. These are the topics the Journeyman exam draws from and the pages in The Chimney Inspector Training Manual that cover each one. Read those pages, then take the exam.
Topics and manual pages
The exam picks 20 questions at random from 101 journeyman-level questions, so the count shows how often a topic can come up. Page numbers are the flipbook's page numbers and open the online manual at that page. No questions or answers are shown here.
| Topic | Questions in the bank | Study these pages |
|---|---|---|
| Fireplace code Masonry fireplace requirements: firebox, lintel, throat and related parts. | 11 | pp. 74–76, p. 211, pp. 214–216, p. 397, p. 419 |
| Flue liners Liner types and liner requirements. | 9 | p. 2, pp. 54–55, pp. 225–227 |
| Factory-built systems Listed factory-built fireplaces and chimneys and their installation. | 9 | p. 12, p. 31, p. 42, pp. 230–233 |
| Clearances Clearances between chimneys, fireplaces and combustible materials. | 8 | pp. 93–95, pp. 219–220, p. 229, p. 419 |
| Caps and spark arrestors Chimney cap and spark arrestor requirements. | 7 | pp. 45–46, p. 210, pp. 223–224 |
| Crowns Chimney crown (wash) requirements. | 7 | p. 2, pp. 47–52, p. 175, p. 223 |
| Chimney structure Footings, walls, corbelling and support. | 7 | p. 2, p. 58, pp. 212–213, p. 221, p. 224 |
| Smoke chambers Smoke chamber requirements. | 6 | p. 69, pp. 82–83, p. 85, p. 217 |
| Hearths and hearth extensions Hearth and hearth extension requirements. | 6 | p. 77, pp. 218–219, p. 258 |
| Flue sizing (code) Sizing a flue for the appliance or fireplace. | 6 | p. 72, pp. 227–228, p. 257, p. 419 |
| Combustion air Outside combustion air for fireplaces. | 4 | pp. 234–235 |
| Masonry chimney parts Naming the parts of a masonry chimney and fireplace on the manual’s cutaway diagrams. | 3 (3 with a picture) | p. 44, pp. 78–79, p. 113 |
| Termination height How far a chimney must extend above the roof and nearby parts of the building. | 3 | p. 13, pp. 222–223 |
| Inspections Inspection levels and what each one covers. | 3 | p. 268, p. 419 |
| Factory-built chimney parts Naming the parts of factory-built (prefab) fireplaces and chimneys. | 2 (2 with a picture) | p. 7, p. 40, p. 191 |
| Cleanouts Cleanout openings. | 2 | pp. 70–71, p. 228 |
| Dryer vents Dryer vent parts and safe venting. | 2 | p. 333, p. 419 |
| Code basics How the codes apply to chimneys and fireplaces. | 2 | p. 94, pp. 209–210 |
| Inlets Flue inlets and connections. | 1 | p. 100, p. 228 |
| Crickets When a chimney needs a cricket (saddle). | 1 | p. 57, p. 230 |
| Fireblocking Fireblocking around chimneys. | 1 | p. 229 |
| Stoves and inserts Code points for stoves and fireplace inserts. | 1 | p. 256, p. 419 |
Background reading
Plain-English Knowledge Center articles on some of these topics:
- Types of Chimney Liner (Flue liners)
- A Comprehensive Guide to Chimney Liner Installation (Flue liners)
- What Is a Chimney Chase Cover? (Factory-built systems)
- Everything You Need to Know About Chimney Caps (Caps and spark arrestors)
- What Is a Chimney Crown? (Crowns)
- Chimney Crown Repair: What You Need to Know (Crowns)
- Understanding the Smoke Chamber: What It Is and How to Repair It (Smoke chambers)
- What Are the Different Types of Chimney Flue? (Flue sizing (code))
- Components of a Chimney That Are Inspected During a Professional Inspection (Masonry chimney parts)
- The 3 Levels of Chimney Inspection—What Do They Mean? (Inspections)
- Level 3 Chimney Inspection: A Comprehensive Overview (Inspections)
- The Importance of Dryer Vent Cleaning (Dryer vents)
- What Is a Chimney Cricket and Why Is It Important? (Crickets)
- What Is a Fireplace Insert? (Stoves and inserts)
Also helpful
Ray's free training videos cover the same material. The Certified Master exam draws from all three levels (15 apprentice, 45 journeyman, 40 master questions).
Other guides: Apprentice study guide · Master study guide
Based on The Chimney Inspector Training Manual (Soot to Success) by Ray Gessner, P.E. Chimney Testing is a ChimneySweeps.com practice program, not an official certification.