Alan Gregory

Technical Manager Indepth Hygiene Services Ltd & Member of the HVCA’s

Ventilation Hygiene Group Branch.

Preventing Fires In Kitchen Ductwork

How To Identify A System Which Is “At Risk”

Preventing Fires in Grease Extract Ductwork

According to Local Fire Authorities, one of the most common causes of fire spread within commercial premises is the failure to remove combustible grease deposits from the cooking extract ductwork by regular cleaning.

The reason for this lack of internal cleaning is usually either a total absence of access panels or poor means of access to the ductwork itself.

Grease Extract FiresDuctwork in this condition

Grease Extract FiresOr this condition

Grease Extract FiresCan lead to this

Grease Extract Firesand to this

How To Identify A System Which Is “At Risk”

Many Fire Prevention Officers or Environmental Health Inspectors have not been trained in the design or installation of grease extract ventilation systems, or indeed how they are cleaned, and therefore cannot easily identify if a system has been cleaned.

How To Identify a System Which Is “At Risk”

So, how can a layman easily identify if a grease extract system has been cleaned?

Answer : If the ductwork can be seen and it does not have any access panels fitted, then it has not been cleaned.

““As a rule of thumb”As a rule of thumb” If access doors are not installed then the system If access doors are not installed then the system

has has NOTNOT been cleaned been cleaned

Poor access for cleaning requirements!Access panels too small to carry out internal cleaning

HVCA – TR/19 HVCA – TR/19 Guide to Good Practice – Section 7, gives recommendations on Guide to Good Practice – Section 7, gives recommendations on

where to install access panelswhere to install access panels

HVCA TR19

Access doors are recommended at the following locations:

• At a minimum of every 3 meters• Either side of air turning vanes• Both sides of sound attenuators• Either side of Volume control dampers• Either side of fan units• At changes of direction

Additional Risk Factors to Look For If there is evidence of grease deposits on the canopy filters – or If there is evidence of grease deposits on the canopy filters – or

running through the filters into the canopy – it is likely that the running through the filters into the canopy – it is likely that the system contains potentially fire-hazardous grease deposits.system contains potentially fire-hazardous grease deposits.

Similarly, if there is evidence of grease deposits on the point of Similarly, if there is evidence of grease deposits on the point of discharge to atmosphere, such as roofs or walls, then it is likely that discharge to atmosphere, such as roofs or walls, then it is likely that the system contains potentially fire-hazardous grease deposits.the system contains potentially fire-hazardous grease deposits.

Certificates of cleaning may be issued by many less reputable Certificates of cleaning may be issued by many less reputable contractors when only a partial clean has been undertaken, and fire contractors when only a partial clean has been undertaken, and fire hazardous grease deposits have not been fully removed.hazardous grease deposits have not been fully removed.

Legal DutyLegal Duty

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 – Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 – requires building operators to assess fire risk & to requires building operators to assess fire risk & to take steps to prevent or remove the riskstake steps to prevent or remove the risks

Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1992 – requires ventilation systems to be “cleaned 1992 – requires ventilation systems to be “cleaned as appropriate” as appropriate”

Grease is clearly a fire risk therefore it is appropriate Grease is clearly a fire risk therefore it is appropriate to take steps to remove the risk i.e. clean & remove to take steps to remove the risk i.e. clean & remove the greasethe grease

Insurance CoverInsurance companies will not pay

out on claims where it is found that the fire was spread or caused through un-cleaned ductwork

Preventing Fires In Kitchen Ductwork

Remember• If there are no access panels, then the system

has not been cleaned• If it has not been cleaned then it is breach of

the fire safety laws• Urgent action will be required to enforce

compliance with the law, to protect lives

On behalf of the

Thank You for Your Time