Kitchen Extract Cleaning in Leeds
Kitchen extract cleaning is an essential part of fire safety, and any well-managed kitchen requires effective duct cleaning practices in order to ensure that the property is safe and compliant.
Kitchen Extract System Cleaning and Fire Risk Control
In any commercial kitchen, over time, the buildup of grease, cooking oils and other deposits can cause odours, hygiene risks and act as a potential ignition source, leading to an increased chance of fire. Kitchen extracts work as the first line of defence against the inevitable smoke, vapour and grease that occur as a result of cooking in a busy environment. They play a vital role in helping to maintain the safety of the kitchen and thus the rest of the building and workplace.
Kitchen extract cleaning is an essential part of fire safety, and any well-managed kitchen requires effective duct cleaning practices in order to ensure that the property is safe and compliant. Failure to maintain your kitchen duct can have severe consequences for everyone involved and leave your building at risk of fire.
Here at Swiftclean, our team of experts have years of experience carrying out commercial kitchen extract cleaning in Leeds to ensure not only that they are safe but that the system is compliant and running at optimal efficiency.
The Importance of Kitchen Extract Cleaning
The regular cleaning of kitchen extraction systems is crucial for safety, hygiene, and performance because without it, the buildup of grease and other substances can lead to a number of unwanted and unnecessary risks that impact the health and safety of the building and those within it.
Here are some of the many reasons why it is important to ensure that your kitchen extract system undergoes regular professional cleaning and maintenance
- Fire Risk
Grease, oils, and fat builds up over time, accumulating in the ductwork and filters, creating a serious fire hazard. Fire prevention stands as the key reason for extract cleaning, preventing the build-up of highly flammable grease deposits in ducts, proactively working to protect both property and lives.
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- Health and Hygiene
Dirty extraction systems can become congested, impeding the movement of air and contaminating airflow. Not only this, but they can also harbour mould, pathogens, bacteria and allergens that can cause foodborne illnesses, respiratory problems, and a number of other health issues as well as potentially compromising food safety standards.
- Air Quality
Extraction systems which are poorly maintained can recirculate contaminated air, impacting its quality and leading to unpleasant odours. Not only does this effect staff and those working in the kitchen and surrounding areas by creating unfavourable working conditions, but poor air quality and odours can drive away customers and negatively affect business.
- Equipment Efficiency
Clogged ductwork can lead to reduced airflow, causing appliances to work harder, which results in increased energy consumption, wear and tear, damage and costly breakdowns, whilst clean extraction systems require less energy to operate.
The cleaning frequency depends on kitchen usage:
- Heavy use (12-16 hours daily): Clean every 3 months
- Moderate use (6-12 hours daily): Clean every 6 months
- Light use (2-6 hours daily): Clean annually
- Legal and Regulatory Compliance
All businesses, particularly in the food industry, have a legal obligation to maintain their kitchen extraction systems to ensure they are compliant with the necessary health and safety regulations. This is addressed by regulations like the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
- Insurance
Most insurance companies nowadays require proof that commercial kitchen extraction systems have been regularly cleaned in order to be eligible for claims in case of fire or other incidents. Failure to maintain a proper cleaning schedule could result in the insurance company invalidating your claim.
- TR19®Grease Specification
The TR19®Grease specification, which is widely accepted in the UK, outlines the requirements for cleaning and maintaining kitchen extraction systems, setting specific standards for cleanliness, measured in microns.
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Swiftclean commitment:
- FREE quotation/technical advice – Nationwide – call 0800 243 471
- Complete satisfaction or your money back guaranteed
- Inspections to ensure compliance with current Health & Safety regulations
- Rapid response to your needs
- Inspection methods in line with BESA TR19®Grease specification
- Full inspection reports provided and benchmarked to recognised levels.
Professional Extract Cleaning Services
At Swiftclean, our dedicated teams utilise a systematic approach to cleaning kitchen extracts in Leeds, which involves using specialised equipment, tools and techniques specially designed to deliver the best possible results.
Our extract cleaning process typically consists of several key steps:
- Inspection – We carry out a detailed assessment to determine the level of grease and debris accumulation.
- Manual cleaning – Using cloths soaked in degreaser, the extract surfaces are thoroughly cleaned.
- Chemical treatments – We apply industrial-grade degreasers which help to break down stubborn deposits.
- Mechanical scraping – This works to effectively remove any hardened carbonised deposits.
- Verification testing – We then measure the remaining deposits.
- Documentation – Once the process is complete, we compile a detailed report that includes all the important information as well as before and after photographs, chemical data and measurements.
Our dedicated experts understand the various complexities involved with different kitchen environments and therefore are able to tailor our services to deliver customised extract cleaning which directly addresses your specific needs.
Find Out More
Kitchen extract cleaning is not something that you should ever cut corners on, and instead of seeing it as a box-ticking exercise, it should be viewed as a crucial and cost-effective investment for the health and safety of your commercial kitchen.
If you have any questions about Leeds kitchen extract cleaning or would like to find out more, then please get in touch and a member of our team will be happy to help.
More resources and best practice
Your legal responsibilities
The Health & Safety Executive and industry and insurance guidance and regulations stipulate that kitchen extract systems should be kept clean to minimise fire and other risks. And the BESA specification TR19® Grease provides specific guidance on methods of measuring and defining cleanliness as a bench mark for good practice. As well as cleaning, Swiftclean conducts kitchen grease extract risk assessments in line with TR19® Grease.
It is your responsibility to ensure that kitchen grease extract systems (canopies, filters, ductwork, risers and fans) in all commercial kitchens and the like are inspected as required by your buildings insurance policy, in accordance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order and the Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations. Find out now if your kitchen extract is compliant with the new TR19® Grease specification with the Swiftclean Kitchen Extract compliance checker.
Building managers are required to:
- Identify and assess the sources of risk
- Prepare a scheme for preventing or controlling the risk
- Appoint a person to be managerially responsible
- Implement and manage precautions
- Keep records of the precautions implemented
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Please call us or email info@swiftclean.co.uk for further advice and a free quote.
