Do places of worship legally need Legionella risk assessments?

Yes. Any place of worship with a water system has a legal duty to assess and manage the risk of Legionella under UK health and safety legislation. This applies whether the building is used daily or only for occasional services and events.

How often should kitchen extract systems be cleaned in places of worship?

Cleaning frequency depends on usage. Even if cooking only takes place during events or community gatherings, grease can still build up over time. A professional assessment will determine the appropriate schedule, but all cleaning should follow BESA TR19® Grease guidelines.

Are fire dampers required in places of worship?

Not all buildings will have fire dampers, but where they are installed, they must be tested at least annually in line with BS 9999. This ensures they will function correctly to prevent the spread of fire and smoke in an emergency.

Keeping Places of Worship Safe: A Practical Guide to Compliance

Keeping Places of Worship Safe: Building Compliance for Every Faith Community

Wherever you worship, safety should always come first. Whether your community gathers in a church, mosque, synagogue, mandir, gurdwara, temple, meeting house, or any other faith building, the responsibility remains the same: maintain a safe, compliant environment for everyone who walks through the door.

From water safety to ventilation and kitchen extract cleaning, building owners, trustees, and facilities teams must ensure that the right compliance measures are in place. These activities not only protect your congregation – they are legal requirements.

Kitchen Extract Cleaning: Managing Fire Risk

If your place of worship cooks for its congregation – whether daily, weekly, or during special events – your kitchen extract system must be regularly cleaned to reduce the risk of fire. Grease can accumulate quickly, and even a small amount can ignite if left untreated.

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, this forms a key part of your building’s Fire Risk Assessment. Cleaning should be carried out to the BESA TR19® Grease specification, which sets the industry-approved method for removing grease and documenting the results.

When choosing a contractor, look for:

Certified TR19 Grease cleaning providers
Detailed post-clean verification reports including before-and-after photos (amongst other criteria)
Guidance on cleaning frequency – grease accumulation must be kept below a maximu