Ensure your building meets regulatory standards as temperature rise increases risk in the summer season
With soaring temperatures in the UK, now is a time that many compliance managers and statutory duty holders fear. There are two areas of major elevated risk, if you are a compliance manager or commercial building owner, concerning both the kitchen extract system and also the water in your building(s).
The risks
- Kitchen extraction systems should be compliant with the TR19 Grease specification. Elevated ambient temperature tends to elevate the working temperature of extraction ducts making it much more likely that any uncontrolled grease accumulation inside an extraction system could catch alight. This significant increase in risk can be a huge worry to those responsible for kitchen extraction systems. Our Managing Director, Gary Nicholls, adds “The maintenance manager for our largest customer mentioned that prior to him using Swiftclean’s services they always experienced fires in ducts during hot periods, it was always a worry whenever the temperatures soared”.
- Legionella risk: The other area of compliance concern is inadequate control of Legionella and the risk of an outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease. The temperature of water above 20 degrees can lead to the proliferation of bacteria when the conditions allow and make it much more likely that the Legionella species also multiply to dangerous levels.
What do you know about Legionella?
Legionella is a type of bacteria that is commonly found in water. The bacteria thrive in temperatures of between 20-45°C and with nutrients present. They are inactive below 20°C and cannot survive above 60°C.
Legionnaires’ Disease is a severe form of pneumonia that can be fatal. It spreads when an individual inhales airborne water droplets containing viable Legionella bacteria. These droplets can come from sources such as hot and cold-water outlets, atomizers, wet air conditioning systems, and whirlpool or hydrotherapy baths.
Although anyone can contract Legionnaires’ Disease, people who are elderly, smokers, alcoholics, and those with cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory or kidney disease are at greater risk. HSE’s page on Legionnaires’ Disease provides helpful information on managing the risks.
What to do next
As the temperature increases during summer, it’s important to ensure that your building is compliant with regulations. Are you a commercial building manager or owner, and your building has a kitchen extract system or a water supply?
If you are concerned about the risk of fire from a greasy kitchen extract duct, or concerned about your legionella risk prevention procedure, please do get in touch with our technical sales consultancy team, for a FREE quotation/technical advice – Nationwide.
Call us on 0800 243 471. Or email us at info@swiftclean.co.uk
