How to choose the right fire, air and water services provider
Maintaining a safe, clean, and compliant commercial property is more than good practice — it’s a legal and moral responsibility. Critical areas of focus are Legionella control; and TR19® Air and TR19® Grease compliance; both of which play vital roles in protecting building occupants and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Choosing the right service provider for these essential services can be daunting, but by knowing what to look for, you can ensure your building remains safe, compliant, and well-maintained.
Understanding the Basics
What is Legionella Control?
Legionella bacteria can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a potentially fatal form of pneumonia. The bacteria thrive in water systems, especially where water is stored, recirculated, or left stagnant — such as in cooling towers, hot and cold water systems, and spa pools.
UK legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and ACOP L8 (Approved Code of Practice), requires duty holders to assess and manage the risk of Legionella in water systems.
What is TR19® Compliance?
TR19® Air is the industry specification for cleanliness of ventilation systems, developed by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA). Regularly cleaning ventilation ductwork helps to improve indoor air quality by removing impurities which build up over time in the ventilation system, particularly in large buildings such as schools, offices, hospitals and universities, as well as in social and private landlord housing.
TR19® Grease is the industry specification for the hygiene of commercial kitchen extract systems. These require regular expert cleaning to remove potentially highly flammable grease deposits which are the natural result of cooking, reducing fire risk and improving air quality in commercial and cost sector kitchens.
Key Considerations When Choosing a Service Provider
1. Accreditation and Certification
Look for providers who are:
- Legionella Control Association (LCA) registered. The LCA confirms membership on an annual basis, so look for a provider with a long and uninterrupted track record of LCA membership.
- Members of the Vent Hygiene Register, which is administered by BESA. This will mean that they are also a BESA member. BESA reassesses members regularly to ensure their competence and professionalism.
- Accredited with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO45001, or similar quality, environmental and health & safety standards
These certifications are a strong indication of a provider’s commitment to safety, compliance, and professionalism.
2. Experience and Specialisation
Do they teach professional skills? As a training provider, Swiftclean not only trains its own technicians, but also those from rival companies. Some of BESA’s own auditors have chosen to attend Swiftclean training courses, despite being based in Scotland!
Choose a provider with proven experience in both Legionella prevention and duct cleaning. Ask for:
- Case studies
- Client testimonials
- Insurance company endorsement: Swiftclean is recommended by leading insurer AXA
- Experience in similar sectors (e.g., healthcare, hospitality, education, commercial offices)
An experienced provider will better understand sector-specific challenges, how to fit around your schedules, and any regulatory expectations.
3. Comprehensive Service Offering
Opt for a provider who offers:
- Legionella risk assessments
- Water sampling and testing
- System disinfections and ongoing monitoring
- Ductwork and kitchen extract cleaning
- Post-clean reports in line with TR19® Air and TR19® Grease guidelines
- Fire and smoke control damper testing, cleaning and maintenance
A full-service partner saves you time and ensures no part of your compliance plan is overlooked.
4. Transparent Reporting and Documentation
You must be able to demonstrate your compliance. Proper documentation is vital for both internal audits and external inspections. Members of the Vent Hygiene Register are the only ones who can provide post clean BESCA certification. For legionella control, all works should be fully certified and legionella control log books provided in accordance with L8.
Ensure your provider offers:
- BESCA certification
- Post-clean reports with photographic evidence of work
- Digital reporting tools
- Date stamped water logbooks
- Easy access to historical compliance records
- Reminders of when essential compliance work is due
This transparency supports audit trails and ensures you remain compliant year-round.
5. Health & Safety Compliance
Work with companies that prioritise health and safety by:
- Following safe working practices (RAMS, COSHH, etc.)
- Having a strong internal safety culture
- Holding memberships or accreditations like CHAS, SafeContractor, or Constructionline
Don’t compromise on safety — your service provider’s health & safety record reflects their working standards and helps to reduce risks on your own premises.
6. Responsive Customer Support
Choose a service provider with responsive customer service and rapid response capabilities. Building services need prompt attention when things go wrong — downtime can be costly and dangerous.
Trust is important
Legionella prevention, TR19® Air and TR19® Grease compliance are not just regulatory tick-boxes — they’re crucial components of safe building management. By selecting a qualified, competent, professional, experienced and transparent service provider, you ensure the long-term safety of occupants and avoid costly non-compliance issues.
If you’re in the market for a service partner, take your time, ask the right questions, and choose a company that aligns with your values and compliance needs.
Compliance isn’t optional — but with the right provider, it doesn’t have to be complicated.
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