Here is another in my series of blogs entitled ‘life at the coalface’ – In this blog I will be looking at soot collection traps and how to empty them. Soot collection traps in the main are found in two different types of chimneys. Firstly, they can be found at the business end of the old Baxi open fires, with usually a brick or lined chimney above it. The soot collection trap is accessed either by opening an external inspection door and drawing out the soot tray, or by removing the split grate from the hearth and lifting out the soot collection tray. Secondly, soot collection traps can be positioned at the base of some factory-made chimneys, positioned in a drop or T-Piece below where the flue from the appliance enters the chimney.  Factory made chimneys have the appearance of metal tubes running up the outside of the property. The soot collection traps for factory-made chimneys are usually secured by some form of spring clip, which is removed to release the trap. The trap can then be cleaned and emptied – I usually hold a trug under the soot collection trap whilst I am removing it, to catch the soot that may be sitting at the bottom of the chimney. This procedure is obviously done once the chimney has been swept, to remove all the swept material from the trap. In the photograph, I can be seen releasing the spring clip holding the soot collection trap in place, prior to removing it. I will then put my face mask on and position a trug directly below the soot trap to collect the material in the trap. I then gently remove the plug and empty the contents into the try – Job done! Well after refitting the plug and spring clip.