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Kitchen Extract Cleaning
If not professionally maintained, can quickly become a fire risk and can be a major cause of the ignition and / or spread of fire in food production establishments.
Kitchen Extract System Cleaning and Fire Risk Control
If regular cleaning, in accordance with the BESA specification, TR19® Grease, is not undertaken, fats, oily, greasy (FOG) deposits and fibrous particles can accumulate in kitchen extract systems, reducing air flow efficiency and producing a warm greasy environment for bacteria and cockroaches to breed.
These areas, if not professionally maintained, can quickly become a fire risk and can be a major cause of the ignition and / or spread of fire in food production establishments. Under certain circumstances flame or very high temperatures can ignite the grease causing fire to spread rapidly through the duct. Therefore, it is of particular importance that grease extract systems are regularly inspected and cleaned as required, to ensure that the obvious fire risk is kept suitably under control.
In addition to this, failure to ensure regular cleaning of kitchen grease extract systems can invalidate buildings insurance cover and highlight a lack of legal compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. We are aware of many cases where insurers have refused to pay out on millions of pounds worth of claims following fires where the insured has not complied with the conditions or warranties on their buildings insurance policies regarding regular professional cleaning of the grease extract systems.
Why Professional Cleaning is Essential
While some light cleaning of canopy filters can be done in-house, the ductwork and fans require specialist skills and equipment to achieve a true TR19® Grease clean. Attempting this without training not only risks incomplete cleaning but can also cause damage to components or expose staff to hazards such as sharp metal edges or harmful cleaning agents.
Our professional kitchen extract cleaning services help to ensure:
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- Fire Prevention – Removing grease significantly reduces the risk of fire spreading through the duct, protecting staff, customers, and property.
- Operational Efficiency – Clean ducts and fans allow extraction systems to work at full capacity, reducing wear on motors and lowering energy bills.
- Hygiene and Pest Control – A clean system is far less attractive to pests and eliminates breeding grounds for harmful bacteria.
- Regulatory Compliance – Meeting the exacting standards set by TR19®, BESA, and UK fire safety legislation.
- Peace of Mind – Certification assures stakeholders that the kitchen is safe, compliant, and professionally maintained.
Choosing professional cleaning with Swiftclean is more than a box-ticking exercise; it’s a proactive step towards safeguarding your people, your premises, and your reputation. Our services help you maintain full compliance with industry regulations, keep your operations running at peak efficiency, and reduce the risk of costly downtime. Just as importantly, we provide clear, detailed documentation so you can demonstrate due diligence with confidence whenever an inspection or insurance review takes place.
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Keeping your kitchen extract system compliant
To get a copy of our “Keeping your kitchen extract system compliant” guide, you can just fill out your details below. Once you submit the form, a PDF of the guide will be available for download.
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.
Understanding TR19® Grease
TR19® Grease is the definitive industry specification, published by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA). Established in 1998, it evolved from earlier guidance into today’s formal, measurable standard for kitchen extract hygiene. This sets strict requirements on things such as acceptable grease deposit thickness, inspection frequency, cleaning methods and post-clean verification.
A TR19® certificate is more than just a piece of paper; it provides documented proof that your system meets the recognised UK specification, which is often required by insurers, landlords, and enforcement bodies.
The experts at Swiftclean have decades of experience delivering cleans that meet and often exceed TR19® Grease requirements. Our team not only carries out thorough, compliant cleaning but also provides clear, evidence-backed reports and certification, giving our clients complete confidence in both safety and compliance.
Legal and Compliance Requirements in the UK
Professional kitchen extract cleaning is not just a good idea; it is a legal and operational necessity. Businesses running a commercial kitchen are legally obliged to control fire risks and maintain hygiene standards. Meeting these requirements means following recognised standards and legislation and being able to prove it with documentation.
The main regulations and standards affecting extract cleaning include:
- TR19® Grease – BESA’s specification for grease-related fire risk control, including defined cleanliness levels and inspection procedures.
- BESA Standards – Industry best practice for maintaining ventilation systems in a safe and efficient condition.
- EC 852/2004 – Food hygiene regulation applied to UK commercial kitchens, focusing on cleanliness to protect public health.
- BS 9999 – Fire safety code of practice for building design, management, and maintenance, including ventilation systems.
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and Fire Safety Act 2021 – Establish duties for fire risk assessments and the maintenance of fire safety systems.
- COSHH Regulations – Governing the safe storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous cleaning chemicals used in the process.
Adhering to these requirements not only reduces risk but also provides a defensible position if an incident were to occur. Conversely, non-compliance can result in hefty fines, closure notices, insurance claim refusals, or even criminal liability in the event of a fire.
Stay Safe. Stay Compliant.
Book Your Kitchen Extract Clean Today.
A clean, compliant kitchen extract system is one of the most effective ways to protect your business, your people, and your hard-earned reputation. Grease build-up isn’t just a hygiene issue; it’s a serious fire hazard and a common reason for insurance claims being denied. That’s why partnering with a specialist who understands the TR19® Grease specification, the legal requirements, and the technical challenges of kitchen extract cleaning is essential.
With Swiftclean, you’ll benefit from expert technicians, meticulous cleaning to TR19® Grease, and detailed post-clean certification to prove due diligence. We help you satisfy regulators, reassure insurers, and keep your kitchen operating safely and efficiently.
Don’t wait for an inspection to highlight a problem, book your professional kitchen extract clean today and safeguard your premises and business against both fire and financial risk.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kitchen Extraction Cleaning
Why is kitchen extract cleaning important?
Because grease deposits create a major fire hazard, reduce system efficiency, and can result in non-compliance with fire and hygiene regulations.
How much does kitchen extract cleaning cost on average?
Costs vary based on system size, usage and access complexity. Light-use kitchens for example will pay less than high use or complex systems but this will depend on the specific demands of your kitchen and the level of servicing required.
What are the UK regulations for kitchen extraction cleaning?
TR19® Grease, BESA standards, EC 852, BS 9999, the Fire Safety Order, and COSHH all shape how and how often extraction systems must be cleaned.
How often should a kitchen extract be cleaned?
The frequency depends on how heavily your kitchen is used, with TR19® Grease now including guidance on daily grease accumulation as well as setting clear recommended intervals for cleaning:
- Heavy use: Every 3 months
- Medium use: Every 6 months
- Light use: Every 12 months
What are the benefits of professional cleaning?
The benefits of professional cleaning go far beyond a visibly cleaner system. It provides certified compliance with industry standards, reduces fire risk, improves airflow and hygiene, and helps protect the validity of your insurance. Investing in regular professional cleaning can also go a long way to helping extend the life of your equipment and create a safer, healthier working environment for staff and customers.
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
AXA Recommended Company
Swiftclean has been recommended by AXA to carry out kitchen extract fire safety cleaning for their clients. We are the only company that AXA recommends for this service so you can rest assured we will do a good job.
Kitchen Extract Cleaning: Areas We Cover
We are positioned to deliver expert kitchen extract cleaning across the UK, using our experienced, locally based teams. Count on us for a reliable, professional service you can trust.
For over 40 years, our experts have been supporting clients nationwide, working with Housing Associations, Councils, Hotels, Restaurants, Schools, Facilities Management companies, and M&E contractors to maintain clean, safe, and compliant kitchen extract systems.
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Please call us or email info@swiftclean.co.uk for further advice and a free quote.
