What Is TR19 and Why Should You Care?
If you run a commercial kitchen in the UK, you’ve probably heard the term “TR19” mentioned by your insurers, Environmental Health Officers, or fire safety inspectors. But what exactly is it, and why does it matter?
TR19 is a set of best practice guidelines created by BESA (Building Engineering Services Association) that establishes the standard for cleaning kitchen extraction systems. Originally introduced in 2005 and updated between 2019 and 2020, TR19 provides the benchmark that insurers, building engineers, and regulatory bodies use when assessing whether your extraction system is being properly maintained.
Understanding and complying with TR19 isn’t optional for most commercial kitchens. It directly affects your fire safety compliance, your insurance validity, and your ability to pass Environmental Health inspections.
The Fire Risk You Can’t Afford to Ignore
Here’s a sobering statistic: around 70% of fires in commercial kitchens originate in faulty extract ventilation systems due to the build-up of fat and grease. Grease deposits within kitchen exhaust systems are highly flammable. When they ignite, fire can spread rapidly through ductwork, potentially causing devastating damage throughout a building.
The London Fire Brigade has specifically highlighted dirty ducting as a major fire risk, reminding restaurant and takeaway owners that failing to clean extraction systems regularly significantly increases fire risk. This isn’t theoretical – kitchen fires from grease-laden ductwork happen regularly and can destroy businesses overnight.
TR19 exists to prevent this. By setting clear standards for how clean your system should be and how often it needs cleaning, it provides a framework for reducing fire risk to acceptable levels.
How Often Do You Need TR19 Cleaning?
The frequency of TR19 cleaning depends on your kitchen’s usage patterns and cooking methods. TR19 provides clear guidance based on operational hours:
Heavy-use kitchens (12-16 hours daily): Cleaning every 3 months. This typically includes high-volume restaurants with continuous frying, chargrilling, or wok cooking.
Moderate-use kitchens (6-12 hours daily): Cleaning every 6 months. Most full-service restaurants fall into this category.
Light-use kitchens (2-6 hours daily): Cleaning every 12 months. Cafes, sandwich shops, and establishments with limited cooking typically qualify.
It’s worth noting that canopies and filter areas often require more frequent attention. Daily or weekly cleaning of accessible components should supplement periodic professional deep cleaning.
What Does TR19 Compliant Cleaning Include?
A proper TR19 clean covers every component of your kitchen extraction system. This means the canopy and hood, including all internal surfaces and plenums. The grease filters should be thoroughly cleaned or replaced if damaged. All ductwork throughout its entire length needs cleaning, which is why adequate access panels are essential. The extraction fan and motor housing require attention, as do any fire dampers within the system.
The cleaning process should remove grease deposits to acceptable levels as specified in TR19. This isn’t just a surface wipe – it’s a thorough decontamination of all internal surfaces.
The TR19 Certificate: What You Should Receive
After a compliant clean, your contractor should provide a detailed Post-Clean Verification report. This document serves as your proof of compliance and should include the date of cleaning and details of all areas cleaned. It should document the condition found before cleaning and the condition achieved after cleaning. The report should note any areas of concern or restricted access and provide recommendations for the next cleaning interval.
Photographic evidence should support the report, showing the state of the system before and after cleaning. This documentation is what you’ll need for insurance purposes, fire safety audits, and Environmental Health inspections.
Choosing a TR19 Compliant Contractor
Not all cleaning contractors work to TR19 standards. When choosing a provider, verify that they’re properly trained in TR19 procedures. Ask to see examples of their post-clean reports – they should be comprehensive and include photographic evidence. Check they’re registered with the Environment Agency for waste disposal, as grease waste must be disposed of properly.
Fan Rescue provides TR19 compliant extraction cleaning across London. All our cleaning technicians are trained to BESA standards, and every clean comes with full documentation and certification. We can set up scheduled cleaning contracts to ensure you never miss a cleaning interval. Contact us to discuss your requirements.
