Assess a chimney after a chimney fire using a Level III inspection scope and produce insurance-ready documentation

Steps

1. Recognize that a chimney fire is a defined NFPA 211 trigger requiring at minimum a Level II inspection, escalating to Level III if hidden/concealed damage is suspected and cannot be evaluated without special access
2. Perform the full Level II scope first (accessible interior/exterior review plus video scan of flue liner surfaces and joints) to establish the visible extent of damage
3. If the Level II findings suggest concealed structural damage (e.g., possible cracking behind chase walls, damage to framing near the chimney, or damage that cannot be confirmed by scope alone), proceed to Level III, which may require removing components such as the crown or an interior chimney wall to access concealed areas
4. Photograph and video-document all visible fire damage (creosote residue, cracked tiles, warped liner, soot staining patterns) as well as any concealed damage found during Level III access
5. Produce a written report distinguishing observed damage by inspection level and clearly stating whether the chimney is safe for continued use, needs repair, or must be taken out of service pending repair
6. Provide the report in a format usable for an insurance claim, since insurers typically require documented evidence of chimney-fire damage and a professional safety determination before authorizing repair