„One for all – all for one“

…is my maxim for everything what I do in private or career terms. I am a chimney sweep master with heart and soul as well as plenty of professional competence.

Born in Saalfeld in 1963, I was soon let in on the “secrets” of this trade. Already my father and grandfather were chimney sweep masters, and my brother and my uncle are in this old trade, too. Nevertheless I first decided on construction technology with university-entrance diploma. After leaving military service, however, I went into retraining to become a chimney sweeper. With a craft certificate in my pocket, I joined my father’s enterprise. In June 1988, I passed the examinations for the master craftsman’s certificate in Erfurt and went into self-employment two months later. My area of activities is located in the district of Saalfeld-Rudolstadt and includes some districts of Rudolstadt and neighbouring communities. There are about 2000 households are under my wings.

The trade of a chimney sweeper

As a chimney sweep master I check and examine fireplaces and their safety. I report shortcomings, supervise and assess building shells and finished constructions. Measurements of heating systems, which affect safety criteria and emissions, are analysed and gathered data are forwarded to the emission register. In addition to fire prevention, my attention is on environmental issues, and my customers get matter-of-fact energy and heating-related advice. As I attach importance to continuous further education, I qualified for constructional energy consulting in 1999 and the techniques of fire prevention with final TÜV-examinations in 2008. I also received certificates in gas appliance and service engineering. From 2000 to 2008, I was a board member of the guild of chimney sweepers and in the same function I am involved in the association of energy advisors, engineers and artisans of Thuringia today.