Frequently Asked Questions

TR19 (Technical Recommendation 19) is the industry-standard guidance document published by BESA (Building Engineering Services Association) that sets out the requirements for cleaning and maintaining commercial kitchen extraction systems. It defines acceptable grease deposit levels, cleaning frequencies, and documentation standards. TR19 compliance matters because it is widely recognised by insurers, fire risk assessors, local authorities, and Environmental Health Officers as the benchmark for safe kitchen extraction maintenance. Without TR19-compliant cleaning, your fire insurance may be invalidated, and you could face enforcement action under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

TR19 cleaning frequency depends on your kitchen's usage level and cooking methods. As a general guide: Heavy use kitchens (12–16 hours/day, high-grease cooking such as wok, charcoal, or solid fuel) require cleaning every 3 months. Moderate use kitchens (6–12 hours/day, mixed cooking methods) require cleaning every 6 months. Light use kitchens (2–6 hours/day, low-grease cooking) require cleaning every 12 months. These are minimum frequencies — your insurer or fire risk assessor may specify more frequent cleaning. Our CII-qualified founder can review your specific requirements and advise accordingly.

TR19 itself is industry guidance rather than statute law. However, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places a legal duty on the 'Responsible Person' (typically the business owner or operator) to take general fire precautions, which includes maintaining kitchen extraction systems in a safe condition. TR19 is the recognised standard for demonstrating compliance with this duty. Failure to maintain your extraction system to TR19 standards could constitute a breach of fire safety legislation, potentially resulting in enforcement notices, fines, or prosecution.

Wet film thickness (WFT) testing measures the depth of grease deposits remaining on ductwork surfaces after cleaning. TR19 specifies maximum acceptable grease deposit levels — typically 200 microns for low-risk systems and lower thresholds for higher-risk configurations. WFT testing provides objective, measurable evidence that cleaning has been completed to the required standard. We include WFT testing as standard in our TR19 compliance reports, providing your insurer and fire risk assessor with the documented proof they need.

After every clean, BlueTick Extraction Hygiene provides a comprehensive TR19-compliant service report including: a full system description and access point locations; pre-clean and post-clean photographs of all areas; wet film thickness test results with before/after measurements; a record of all components cleaned (canopy, filters, ductwork, fans, discharge points); any observations or recommendations for remedial work; and a signed compliance certificate confirming TR19 standard has been achieved. This documentation is specifically formatted to satisfy insurer requirements and fire risk assessment records.

A full TR19-compliant clean covers every component of the extraction system: kitchen canopy and hood (internal and external surfaces); baffle filters and mesh filters; grease traps and collection channels; all accessible ductwork (horizontal and vertical runs); duct access panels and inspection hatches; extraction fans and motor housings; discharge points and external louvres; and grease containment systems. We photograph every area before and after cleaning to provide complete evidence of the work carried out.

Grease accumulates in extraction ductwork as cooking vapours cool and condense on internal surfaces. Over time, this creates a highly flammable layer that can ignite from a single spark, a flash of flame from the cooking surface, or even from the heat of normal cooking operations. Once ignited, a grease fire in ductwork can spread rapidly through the entire extraction system and into the building structure, often bypassing fire suppression systems designed only for the cooking area. Commercial kitchen fires are the most common cause of serious fires in the hospitality sector in the UK.

The consequences of neglecting extraction system cleaning can be severe: fire risk — grease-laden ductwork is a primary cause of commercial kitchen fires; insurance invalidation — most commercial kitchen insurance policies require TR19-compliant cleaning, and failure to comply may result in claims being rejected; enforcement action — Environmental Health Officers and Fire Safety Officers can issue improvement notices or prohibition orders; business closure — a serious fire or enforcement action could force your business to close; and personal liability — as the Responsible Person under fire safety legislation, you could face prosecution.

Yes, significantly. Your fire risk assessment must consider the fire risk posed by your kitchen extraction system. A TR19-compliant cleaning schedule, supported by documented service reports, demonstrates that you are actively managing this risk. Fire risk assessors will review your cleaning records as part of their assessment. Maintaining TR19 compliance and keeping your service reports on file is one of the most important steps you can take to achieve a satisfactory fire risk assessment outcome.

Most commercial kitchen insurance policies include a condition requiring the extraction system to be cleaned and maintained to TR19 standard. Insurers may request evidence of compliance at renewal, following a claim, or during a policy review. Failure to provide TR19 compliance certificates when requested could result in your claim being rejected or your policy being voided. Our service reports are specifically designed to meet insurer documentation requirements.

BlueTick Extraction Hygiene was founded by a CII (Chartered Insurance Institute) qualified professional who also works alongside Focus Insurance Services, an FCA-regulated commercial insurance brokerage. This means we understand exactly what insurers require from a compliance report — not just what looks good on paper. Our reports include the specific data points, photographic evidence, and measurement records that underwriters look for when assessing a claim. We can also liaise directly with your insurer or broker if compliance questions arise.

Yes. At renewal, insurers assess the risk profile of your business. A history of TR19-compliant cleaning, supported by documented service reports, demonstrates responsible risk management and can support a favourable renewal outcome. Conversely, gaps in your cleaning records, or evidence of non-compliant cleaning, may lead to increased premiums, additional policy conditions, or difficulty obtaining cover. We recommend keeping all TR19 service reports on file for a minimum of three years.

Our founder is CII-qualified and works alongside Focus Insurance Services, an FCA-regulated commercial insurance brokerage. Whilst BlueTick Extraction Hygiene focuses on extraction system cleaning and compliance, we can signpost you to Focus Insurance Services for a review of your commercial insurance arrangements. This is entirely optional and separate from the cleaning service. Please note that any insurance review would be conducted by Focus Insurance Services as a regulated activity — we do not provide insurance advice as part of the extraction cleaning service.

We work with any business operating a commercial kitchen, including: restaurants and cafés; pubs, bars, and gastropubs; hotels and conference venues; takeaways and fast food outlets; care homes and residential facilities; schools, colleges, and universities; hospitals and healthcare facilities; staff canteens and workplace catering; event venues and function rooms; and contract catering operations. Whether you operate a single kitchen or multiple sites, we can accommodate your requirements.

Yes. All BlueTick Extraction Hygiene technicians are trained to TR19 standard and hold the relevant qualifications for working in commercial kitchen environments. We carry full public liability insurance to £5 million and employers' liability insurance as required by law. Our founder holds CII qualifications from the Chartered Insurance Institute, ensuring that our compliance documentation meets the standards expected by insurers and fire risk assessors.

Yes. We offer a free, no-obligation site survey for all new clients. During the survey, we assess your extraction system layout, identify all access points, evaluate the level of grease accumulation, and determine the scope of work required. This allows us to provide an accurate, itemised quotation with no hidden costs. We will also advise on the appropriate cleaning frequency for your operation and any remedial work that may be required.

Yes. We have experience working with a wide range of extraction system configurations, including systems with limited access, complex ductwork runs, high-level installations, and older systems where access panels may not have been installed to current standards. Where standard access is insufficient, we can install additional access panels to ensure the entire system can be cleaned and inspected to TR19 standard. We will identify any access issues during the initial site survey.

Yes. We offer planned maintenance programmes tailored to your kitchen's usage level and insurer requirements. A planned programme ensures your cleaning schedule is maintained consistently, your compliance records are kept up to date, and you receive advance notice of upcoming service visits. Planned maintenance clients receive priority scheduling and a dedicated account contact. We can also manage your compliance documentation on your behalf, providing reminders when the next clean is due.

Yes. We understand that kitchen downtime has a direct impact on your business. We offer flexible scheduling including early morning starts, late evening and overnight cleaning, and weekend appointments to minimise disruption to your operations. Out-of-hours cleaning is available at no additional premium for planned maintenance clients. We will work with you to find a schedule that suits your operational requirements.

The duration of a clean depends on the size and complexity of your extraction system, the level of grease accumulation, and the number of access points. As a general guide, a straightforward single-canopy system in a small restaurant may take 2–4 hours. A larger system with extensive ductwork, multiple canopies, or significant grease accumulation may take 6–8 hours or require multiple visits. We will provide a realistic time estimate as part of your free site survey.

The simplest way to get a quote is to request a free site survey. Contact us by phone on 07423 291 372, by email at [email protected], or by completing the contact form on our website. We will arrange a convenient time to visit your premises, assess your extraction system, and provide a detailed, itemised quotation. There is no obligation to proceed, and the survey is completely free of charge.

BlueTick Extraction Hygiene is based in Peterborough and covers a 30–50 mile radius, including Peterborough, Huntingdon, Stamford, Spalding, Wisbech, Ely, March, Whittlesey, Oundle, Corby, Kettering, and surrounding areas. If you are outside this area and have a requirement for TR19-compliant extraction cleaning, please contact us to discuss — we may be able to accommodate larger contracts or multi-site requirements further afield.

Yes. We work with multi-site operators including restaurant groups, pub chains, care home groups, and contract caterers. For multi-site clients, we can coordinate cleaning schedules across all locations, provide consolidated compliance reporting, and offer preferential pricing. Please contact us to discuss your requirements and we will prepare a tailored proposal.