The National Association of Chimney Engineers was formed in 1982 by a group of independent companies specialising in chimney lining. Their purpose was to set and enforce national standards of workmanship and quality of product in this demanding sector of the construction industry, culminating in the recent introduction of NVQs (Chimney Engineering).

By law, all new flues, for all types of fuels, built since the introduction of the 1965 Building Regulations, must have been fitted with an inner lining to protect the chimney structure from the harmful and corrosive effects of flue gases. A properly designed and installed flue lining improves flue performance and therefore fuel economy.

This is particularly the case with modern boilers and appliances which discharge at low flue gas temperature. This principal has been understood since Roman times so that even prior to 1965, most flues were lined with a sand-based  rendering (or parging) that decayed quite rapidly due to the condensation from the cooling flue gases thus exposing the original stack structure, usually porous, to acidic decay.

The inevitable results over the years are increased fuel consumption; malodorous stains on chimney outer surfaces; deterioration of the structure leading to sometimes fatal toxic smoke/fume escape and a weakening of the entire chimney structure, especially where unsupported above the roofline. Finally, deposits remain inaccessibly trapped in corroded mortar joints and brickwork, impossible to remove by the most efficient chimney sweeping, leading to chimney fires which present a serious risk to the entire building structure.

UNLINED FLUES BECOME A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD TO THE BUILDING AND ITS OCCUPANTS AND PRODUCE INEFFICIENT AND UNECONOMIC COMBUSTION.

'NACE Approved' chimney lining installers provide an economic solution to all problems relating to damaged flueways giving an alternative to demolishing and rebuilding the stack itself.

NACE installers will give sensible advice as to the type of lining required to suit the appliance and to conform to the statutory Building Regulations and manufacturers standard practice recommendations.

All NACE members are trained and qualified to carry out installations to the high standard of workmanship required by the association, thus upgrading the structure and performance of the chimney for the safety of the occupants.