Master exam study guide
The science of chimneys. These are the topics the Master 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 63 master-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 |
|---|---|---|
| Draft physics Stack effect, temperature and why chimneys draw. | 11 | p. 48, p. 69, p. 83, p. 85, p. 102, pp. 107–109, pp. 112–114, p. 116, p. 127, p. 130 |
| Creosote What creosote is, how it forms and how it builds up. | 11 | p. 152, p. 155, pp. 157–164 |
| Flue sizing (science) How flue size and height affect performance. | 7 | p. 72, p. 91, pp. 96–97, p. 115, p. 123, p. 228, p. 256 |
| House pressure How the house and its appliances push and pull on the chimney. | 6 | pp. 136–140 |
| Combustion How fuel burns and what that means for the flue. | 5 | p. 126, pp. 128–129, pp. 168–170 |
| Diagnosing draft problems Working out why a chimney smokes or won’t draw. | 4 | pp. 109–110, pp. 141–142, p. 144 |
| Condensation Why flue gases condense and the damage it causes. | 4 | p. 123, p. 186, p. 188 |
| Venting Venting appliances through chimneys and vents. | 4 | p. 100, pp. 132–133 |
| Masonry science How brick, mortar and water behave over time. | 3 | p. 60, p. 373, p. 391, p. 394 |
| Reading creosote What the type and location of creosote tells you. | 2 | pp. 164–165 |
| Why clearances matter How heat reaches combustibles over time. | 2 | p. 55, p. 93, p. 212, p. 220 |
| Factory-built science How factory-built systems handle heat. | 2 | p. 11, p. 37, p. 232 |
| Moisture Water in and around chimneys. | 1 | p. 145, p. 147 |
| Chimney odors Where chimney smells come from. | 1 | pp. 166–167 |
Background reading
Plain-English Knowledge Center articles on some of these topics:
- Understanding the Causes of Chimney Downdraft (Draft physics)
- The Importance of Creosote Removal (Creosote)
- Important Tips to Prevent a Chimney Fire (Creosote)
- What Are the Different Types of Chimney Flue? (Flue sizing (science))
- How to Fix the Backdraft in My Chimney (Diagnosing draft problems)
- Waterproofing Your Chimney (Condensation)
- Everything You Need to Know About Chimney Venting (Venting)
- Reasons Why Your Chimney Is Crumbling (Masonry science)
- What You Need to Know About Chimney Repointing (Masonry science)
- Effective Ways to Prevent Chimney Mold (Moisture)
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 · Journeyman 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.