There are several reasons why you should have your commercial canopy system cleaned; there is the potential fire hazard. To comply with your insurance policy and cleaning helps with the performance of your system and to stop the build-from grease, mud and harmful bacteria.
A fire waiting to happen: even the best extraction system filter can never eliminate all vaporized grease that, together with debris, condenses onto the canopy plenum, duct and fan surfaces. This build-up now solely requires heat, which is available in every kitchen to trigger off a frightening process. A spark or flame is not necessary, as spontaneous combustion can occur.
The grease within the duct acts as a fuse, carrying fire through the duct and the building. Fire, smoke and hot gases might break out at any penetration, hole, joint or discharge point following heat-induced collapse of ductwork. Temperatures of up to 1200 degC transmit heat through the metal to distort, destroy or ignite the duct support hanger, packing materials, electrical systems and litter. In this way heat can spread rapidly following duct route and this may be difficult and dangerous for fire fighters to access.
Insurance risk: the insurance business is hardening its perspective on the issue. This is hardly surprising since the association of British insurers has recorded losses associated with kitchen extract fires rising from £sixty-five million in 1998 to £107 million in 2004. The insurer’s loss prevention council suggests that the minimum of an annual clean of the entire system by specialists is carried out, the exact frequency to be determined by reasoned risk assessment. Failure to comply with the terms of a policy may mean invalidation of your policy.
Below are clauses taken from major insurers in the UK, detailing the clauses that must be covered by warranties to validate the cover.
AXA
Grease traps filters and other grease removal devices are cleaned every week.
The grease extract ducting is cleaned each 6 months.
Deep fat frying clause used on pubs, hotels etc
All extraction hood canopies, filters and grease traps are cleaned at least once each seven days
All extraction ducts are cleaned at least once every twelve months by a specialist contractor.
Sterling
Extraction hoods, canopies, fat/grease collectors and filters are cleaned a minimum of once each 7 days.
Specialist ductwork cleaners.
NIG
Extraction ducts are cleaned at least once each six months
St Pauls
Clause Deep fat frying
The extraction ducts and flues are to be cleaned at least monthly
If this condition is not complied with, this section will not cover fire or explosion harm caused by the deep fat frying apparatus at such business premises.
Hazards of an unclean kitchen extraction system: even the most effective extraction filters will not remove all traces of grease and dirt from the air, over time a layer of grease and dirt is deposited on the surface of the ventilation duct, canopies and extraction fans. After time your extraction system can start to slow down and you will hear undue noise or vibration, this is due to the grease and dust having baked onto the various surfaces, causing overheating and then the fans will cut out and create low airflow pressure. This excessive grease is also an environmental health hazard and creates a breeding ground for bacteria and foul odours.
It is therefore essential to carry out regular commercial canopy cleaning to your kitchen extraction system. This should be carried out by a specialist contractor that should be able to offer you photos before and after and a certificate. Failure to do this could cause a breach of the Environmental Health Laws and may invalidate your insurance policy.
Cover UK Extraction Degreasing and Maintenance Service
As a member of the Heating and Ventilation Contractors Association and the FSB, Canopy UK provides a ventilation degreasing service to HVCA TR19 level, covering all aspects of extraction system cleaning. Our experienced cleaning teams are fully trained to wash all components of ventilation systems to the high standards required to confirm a secure and healthy atmosphere for your workers and customers.
Here at Canopy UK we believe in customer care, that is why we tend to provide not only a deep clean service, but after care service with one of our maintenance plans. Extraction systems never break down on a Monday morning at nine o clock, they usually go wrong on a Friday night or over the weekend! Here at Canopy UK our maintenance teams aim to get you back up and running within 24 hours. This offers you peace of mind with the knowledge that you are in safe hands and that you have saved yourself from lost revenue.
This service includes cleaning of all accessible duct work, the fans, filters and canopy, pictures can be taken before and when and you will also receive a duplicate of the pictures along with a valid certificate for your insurance policy.
