Why is it Important?
If regular cleaning of the kitchen extract system is not undertaken then fats, oily deposits and fibrous particles can accumulate, reducing the efficiency and can facilitate the preferred environment for microbiological growth and pests to breed. As well as the associated fire risk.
Whether you’re a restaurant, hotel, or any other type of catering facility, MyDuctwork Ltd cleaning services can be tailored to meet your requirements at regular intervals, from weekly to annually.
Our professional and BESA trained cleaning operatives will attend your site to carry-out the clean and our friendly team will contact you to let you know when your next clean is due so that we can take the worry from you.
This will also ensure that you meet your fire safety obligations under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, minimising the fire risk by removing flammable deposits within your extract system.
Considerations for Kitchen Grease Extract Systems
Kitchen Grease Extract (Exhaust) Systems are particularly affected by the deposit of grease and oil onto the internal surfaces from the canopy to the ductwork, and all the way through to the fan and discharge since no filter can be 100% effective. Varying types of cooking and cooking frequency will affect the rate of fouling. Also, other (non-catering) industrial cooking processes can result in contamination of the system such as dust particles, tissue and cloths which can be hidden inside ventilation system.
Fire Safety
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order places a duty of care on the building owner/occupier to take such general fire precautions as will ensure, so far as reasonably practical the safety of the building and safety of the people within it.
Section 17 of this Order deals with maintenance of systems to control the fire risk and that they are subject to a suitable system of maintenance and are maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.
By removing the combustion load fire safety is greatly enhanced. This is why the insurers’ Loss Prevention Council recommends regular cleaning by specialists.
Hygiene Hazard
Accumulated grease also provides a hygiene hazard and can lead to foul odour, pest infestation and in some cases unhygienic ‘backwash’ of air into the cooking area. Leakage of oil from damaged or poorly installed ductwork can spread these hazards to building areas such as ceiling voids and service shafts.
Why clean and maintain?
In short is it your responsibility to ensure the safety of people, property, and economy. By regularly cleaning and maintaining your kitchen ventilation system you will:
- Reduce the risk of fire.
- Prevents the build-up of grease deposits, bacteria of pests within your kitchen. extraction system.
- Ensure that you comply with Legislation and Guidance.
- Insurance policies will often stipulate clauses relating to proper preventative maintenance and failure to properly maintain systems may cause claims to be affected.
How often should I clean?
The frequency of cleaning should be sufficiently frequent that grease deposit limits are not exceeded. In the absence of data on measured levels of cleanliness, time-and-usage-based methods are often used to estimate required cleaning frequency. Pre-cleaning micron readings should be taken to enable cleaning frequency to be confirmed as suitable or adjusted accordingly.