Deep Cleaning of Grease Extract Ventilation Systems

Accumulations of grease-laden deposits in kitchen extract ventilation systems, often linked to catering facilities, present a significant fire hazard. It is not unusual for grease extract ductwork to run through an entire building to reach a roof level exhaust, thereby putting the whole building and its occupants at risk in the event of fire.

Although filters in canopies help trap some grease they are not 100% efficient. It is inevitable that some grease-laden air will pass through, allowing grease deposits to cool and settle on the internal surfaces of the ductwork and fan unit. Apart from the fire risk, the accumulation of grease in the kitchen extract system reduces ventilation efficiency by restricting the movement of extracted air, resulting in over-heating, excessive humidity, possible failure to remove noxious fumes from gas-burning appliances and a continuing source of unwanted odours which can permeate the rest of the building.

Legal requirements

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires those responsible for workplaces to carry out a fire
risk assessment of their premises, including grease extract systems, and take action to eliminate - or at least
to minimise - risks to the safety of the building's occupants.

Should the Responsible Person have failed to carry out fire risk assessments or take appropriate action to protect the safety of building occupants, and a fire causes injury or death, they may be liable to criminal prosecution.

Insurance requirements

Insurers can ask for evidence to be shown that the new Fire Safety Order is being complied with. As a high fire risk, the grease extract system should be cleaned at least annually, and many policies make this a minimal requirement under the terms of the insurance.

Insurers are becoming more inquisitive, primarily because fire claims and compensation costs are increasing rapidly. The attitude, "don't worry, we’re insured” is more and more inappropriate for today's building owners and managers. Failure to comply with the legislation will provide grounds for Insurers to dispute claims in the event of fire.

Risk assessment = probability x consequence

If a building has a grease extract ventilation system then it’s most likely to have some level of risk. It may not have been cleaned thoroughly, due to lack of sufficiently installed access panels, or it may not have been cleaned regularly enough to match the type of cooking being carried out (deep fat frying and wok cooking produce higher volumes of airborne grease). Kitchen duct cleaning is therefore an essential part of building maintenance.

The consequence of a fire occurring in the grease extract system can be devastating, not just to the property and the future of the business where the kitchen is located, but also to the lives of the occupants. Fires at Heathrow, South Mimms Service Area, the Witney Town Centre and several hotels bear witness to the high cost of damage and disruption caused by fires in grease extract systems.

Assessing the risk

As a first step, we will carry out a detailed survey of your grease extract system and provide a photographic and written report free of charge. If you have not already carried out a risk assessment of the system, this report will provide you with invaluable information with which to prepare one. It will also describe what remedial action needs to be taken to eliminate any identified risks.

Eliminating the risk

Eliminating fire risks can only be achieved by professional kitchen extraction cleaning with an understanding of the unique requirements of this type of system, something beyond the capabilities of general cleaners. Our fully trained and equipped workforce will restore the system to clean fire-safe state, capable of meeting the independent industry standards set by the HVCA TR19, now widely accepted by the insurance industry as the benchmark for cleanliness within grease extract systems. Where internal access to the system is not already in place, we will install access panels as part of the service to allow thorough cleaning of the system. Where the cost of installing access panels is significant we can reduce this by offering special rates for extended term contracts. In some cases vertical risers may be difficult to access using conventional means and our qualified rope access teams can help with these problems.

Evidence of compliance

On completion of the deep cleaning service we provide an Insurance Industry approved Fire Safety Cleanliness Certificate. This certificate can be shown to Insurers as evidence that you have taken appropriate action to eliminate risks to your building and its occupants thereby complying with the Fire Safety Order and the terms of your property insurance.