Serious risk of fire
Did you know that 70 per cent of fires in commercial kitchens originate in extract ventilation systems due to a build-up of fat and grease?!
The main cause of the fire is the build-up of fat and grease. Grease deposits from cooking are drawn up into the canopy filters to ‘filter the air’ ensuring that the atmosphere in the kitchen is clean for staff. The grease sits in the filter and canopy as it’s designed to do, however by its very nature it then becomes an ignition point, so it’s imperative to ensure that the filters are kept properly cleaned and well maintained.
The life expectancy of a grease filter extends significantly when filters are well maintained and cleaned on a regular base. You can do it by continuous maintenance and care. For example, never put them through a dishwasher, don’t use bleach or harsh chemicals (as this will cause corrosion!), handle them gently to prevent dents.
Failure to carry out proper cleaning and maintenance could lead to a breach of Environmental Health regulations and could invalidate your fire insurance policy. Most of the insurance caveat requirements mandate that grease filters are cleaned regularly, depending on the level of use (every 2, 4, 8 or 12 weeks).
Impaired filtering capabilities
A thorough cleaning is the only way to ensure hood filters don’t become clogged with grease, which can cause impaired filtering capabilities resulting in smoky air accumulation, poor air quality, excessive heat and increased air conditioning costs.
Grease build-up also causes an environmental health hazard by providing a breeding ground for bacteria within the kitchen. This could cause serious health issues for a restaurant's customers, and serious complications for the restaurant itself. Cleaning of those hard to reach or clean places like filters can prevent a build-up of harmful bacteria.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, your extract systems need to be included in your fire risk assessment with actions taken to minimise any potential fire risk to buildings and occupants.
How about a professional cleaning service? A specialist team who will change your filters in a few minutes, replace them with clean ones, and then get out of your way.
If you'd like to know more, we'd love to hear from you - just call 01480 479 287 or drop us an email at email@example.com.