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Kitchen Extract Duct Cleaning

Kitchen Extract Cleaning Throughout Kent, London, Essex, Sussex and Surrey

Approximately 80% of kitchen extract systems in the UK have never been cleaned, and therefore pose a very serious fire hazard.

The associated fire risks develop as grease-laden air is directly drawn from those areas above ovens, fryers and grills where the cooking process is taking place, via an extract canopy, ductwork system and discharged to the atmosphere.

As a result, the build-up of grease within the kitchen extract ventilation system is highly combustible and acts as a potential ignition source. All it takes is a small fire from a pan or cooker to be drawn into the system where flames and heat can very quickly spread through a building.

Kitchen Extract Cleaning Kent
Kitchen Extract Cleaning in Kent

Kitchen Extract Cleaning: Your Legal Duties

  • The Health & Safety Executive in conjunction with The Association of British Insurers and BSRIA stipulate that kitchen extract systems should be kept clean to minimise fire and other risks.
  • The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 stipulates that by law the person responsible for the business premise must carry out a fire risk assessment and implement and maintain a fire management plan. Putting in place regular ventilation and kitchen extract duct cleaning will help to satisfy this law and remove the most common cause of fires within the kitchen.
  • The frequency of cleaning will depend on the level of system usage and the types and quantity of cooking, and the stipulations within your building’s insurance policy.

Recommended Kitchen Extract Cleaning Frequencies

Listed below are recommended cleaning guidelines from BESA TR19 Internal Cleanliness of Ventilation Systems, the frequencies relate to kitchen usage/grease loading on extract systems.

Heavy Use 12 – 16 Hrs per Day 3 Monthly
Moderate Use 6 – 12 Hrs per Day 6 Monthly
Light Use 2 – 6 Hrs per Day Annual

Regular kitchen extract cleaning will ensure your compliance with the Health & Safety Executive and Regulations, Workplace Directive, Fire Safety Order and buildings insurance provider. As a specialist service contractor, we can provide regular testing and cleaning of your kitchen extract ductwork, extract fan units & grease filtration. Our kitchen extract cleaning solution complies with stringent regulatory requirements.

Ensuring Health & Safety Compliance

All of our work is carried out in accordance with BESA TR19 Internal Cleanliness of Ventilation Systems Guide to Good Practice Section 7 Specific Considerations for Kitchen Extract Systems.

We ensure you remain compliant with the Health & Safety Executive, Workplace Directive, Fire Safety Order and your Buildings Insurance Provider.

TR19 Section 7 is the industry recognised guidance for the cleanliness of kitchen extract ventilation systems and is designed to be used in conjunction with the regulations and legislations that set out a building owner’s responsibilities in maintaining a clean and efficient kitchen extract system.

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Kitchen Extract Cleaning London

Real-World Reasons to Have Your Kitchen Extractor System Cleaned

It is clear that the government has put ample thought into the issue of Kitchen Extract Systems and the potential health and safety issues involved. Even that, however, is not always enough to spur some who run a commercial kitchen to have their ventilation systems cleaned and serviced. For those hardcore sceptics then, here are a few real-world reasons for hiring a kitchen extract cleaning service.

  • According to the London Fire Brigade, 44% of all restaurant fires start in the kitchen.
  • The kitchen is the most dangerous place in any home, restaurant or pub.
  • Fires caused by cooking-related equipment have the highest injury rate.
  • Keeping the kitchen extraction system clean is vital to reducing fire risks.

An Expensive Lesson for All

Don’t think regular cleaning of the extractor is important? Think again.

On December 13, 1997, a fire broke out in the early morning hours in an extractor at the Burger King at London Heathrow. The fire spread quickly and within minutes smoke was billowing out of the roof of Terminal 1, which was quickly shut down. Terminals 2 and 3 were also shut down in order to keep traffic lanes free for the fire and emergency services.

It took 60 firefighters almost 5 hours to put the fire out. By the time they did more than 300 flights had been cancelled or diverted and more than 50,000 passengers were left stranded. 5 per cent of the multi-million-pound Terminal 1 sustained damage from the fire and repairs took months to complete. All due to a build-up of grease in an extractor.

So, the next time you are tempted to delay kitchen extract cleaning, ask yourself if you want your business to suffer the same fate as Heathrow Terminal 1. And then give CleanAir UK extraction cleaning services a call on 01303 249667.

Kitchen Extract Cleaning

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