Maintaining Commercial Kitchen Extractor Fan Ducting in London—Essentials for Fire Safety and Air Quality

In a publication by the HSE UK on promoting safety, health & welfare in the hospitality industry,  Fire safety is given paramount importance. The HSE points to ventilation and extraction systems as a key area where employers must take “reasonable steps” to prevent fire hazards. Numerous London-based businesses that operate commercial kitchens have in-house staff for cleaning and maintaining kitchen extractor fan ducting in London. It often leads to delays in following a formal maintenance schedule. The consequences? The consequences include increased fire risk, poor indoor air quality, and even non-compliance with the legal and insurance requirements of the TR19 guideline.

IVS is a specialist provider of kitchen extractor cleaning services in London for TR19® compliance, and we work widely with kitchen extractor fan ducting systems with hazardous contamination issues. Sometimes the deposits are a staggering amount of hardened grease, mechanical stress and even an infestation in some areas of ductwork. 

This blog tours you through the essential steps we take for our work, including extract fan deep cleaning in London and other works to maintain safe and efficient ventilation systems in commercial kitchens.

Kitchen Extractor Fan Ducting in London—Essentials of Safeguarding Ventilation Systems

Fire hazards are the most dangerous risk associated with fume ventilation systems in commercial kitchens. Poor air quality is another silent threat. Pollutants like carbon monoxide and steam can mix with the smoke, contaminate the air in the kitchen and even seep into dining areas. The TR19 Air is the new benchmark from BESA, adding to the existing grease specifications.

Altogether, the standards are quite high to maintain a healthy and safe environment in industrial kitchens and all kinds of kitchen extractor fan ducting in London. While cleaning and maintaining kitchen extractor fan ducting in London, we ensure the following key steps to safeguard the system.

• Installing Grease Filters: Installing grease filters within an accessible position makes a big difference in making it easier for the cleaning staff to detach them to carry out regular cleaning. We provide an additional grease trap or sump at this position to collect the maximum amount of grease and prevent it from spreading into the ductwork.
  

• Surveying Power Sources: Before starting a cleaning job, we thoroughly survey the area, and we scrutinise all the power sources. Site surveys are a static part of our kitchen extractor cleaning services in London. This is to ensure they are all working well and with no damage to wiring or connections. We will isolate the machinery and equipment from all electrical attachments before we start.

  
  

• Condensation Channels: These are a key component in the extractor system that collects and drains out the condensation forming inside the extractor ductwork from all the heat in the kitchen. There can be residual water in these channels that must be emptied and cleaned regularly.

  
  

• Internal Cleaning: The hard-to-reach areas in the ductwork are the breeding ground for contaminants and pests. Our professional services for extract fan deep cleaning in London are distinguished by our meticulous attention to detail. Our deep cleaning work is carried out using high-end equipment and skilled techniques by certified technicians whom ensure every inch of your ventilation system performs at its best.

Legal and Insurance Compliance

The HSE has pointed out that fat and grease deposits are the main reasons behind ignition incidents, and most of it comes from the hood and ducting that haven’t been maintained properly. From a legal standpoint, maintenance is more than good practice—it’s a requirement.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places a duty on business owners to assess and mitigate fire risks. If an incident occurs, a dirty extraction system may be considered negligent.

Furthermore, insurance companies may void fire-related claims if ductwork maintenance isn’t documented. Most insurers now ask for evidence of compliance with TR19® Grease as well as Air—the recognised standard set by BESA (Building Engineering Services Association) for cleaning and maintaining kitchen extractor fan ducting in London. At IVS, we help ensure you’re not just safe, but covered.

What to Expect from a Professional Duct Cleaning

At IVS, we offer tailored solutions for duct maintenance and extract fan deep cleaning in London. Every package comes with the following static inclusions:

➔   Full system inspection—identifying grease build up, airflow restrictions, and signs of wear. ➔   Deep cleaning – Using mechanical scrubbing and eco-friendly degreasers that comply with TR19® standards. ➔   Before-and-after documentation — Full photographic evidence for compliance and insurance. ➔   TR19 Certification – Proof that your system has been cleaned professionally and is operating safely. We also provide regular maintenance contracts to simplify scheduling, allowing you to concentrate on your kitchen rather than the necessary compliance paperwork.

Have a Fully Maintained Kitchen Extractor Fan Ducting in London—Complete Peace of Mind

Maintaining a successful food business requires fire safety and air quality. It is not as simple as a daily chore; there are several stringent guidelines to follow and standards to comply with while cleaning and maintaining a kitchen extractor fan ducting in London. Don’t wait for an official inspection—or worse, a fire—to find out your system isn’t up to par. Have a plan in place. At IVS, we’re here to help keep London’s kitchens clean, safe, and breathing easily with bespoke kitchen extractor cleaning services in London for TR19® compliance. Contact us today to schedule your inspection or learn more about our maintenance packages tailored for the London hospitality scene.