Pubs and restaurants must adhere to the requirements under the 2005 Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order by cleaning in accordance with the industry’s leading guidance document, TR/19 section 7.  If this ductwork has not been cleaned properly, and it cannot be proved that all grease deposits have been completely removed as prescribed by law at the intervals defined in TR/19, a corporate manslaughter charge can result if fire breaks out.  Furthermore, if cleaning has not been carried out in accordance to Fire Safety Regulations and Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) regulations, it may invalidate the buildings insurance and result in rejected insurance claims in the event of fire.  Find out more about Kitchen Extract Compliance and Kitchen Extract Cleaning for fire safety.

Food waste, fats, oils and grease can block drains which could then cause a blockage in the kitchen and can lead to prosecution by your water company. Grease, oil and fat deposits will accumulate unseen in kitchen extract canopies and ductwork and pose a serious fire risk that can endanger your staff and customers. Failure to properly clean a kitchen extract may also invalidate your buildings insurance leaving you open to prosecution as the Responsible Person and your company for corporate manslaughter.

Another very important passive fire prevention measure is the regular testing, cleaning and maintenance of fire dampers.  These are metal louvres which can open and close and are installed across the ductwork to form a temporary barrier when closed but allow the free flow of air when open.  You may not even be aware that your ventilation system has fire dampers, but they fulfil a very important function, so you must be sure that they are in working order.

In the event of a fire travelling through ductwork, the fire damper must close, to restrict the oxygen supply to the fire and create a barrier which slows the spread of the fire.  This buys valuable time in which to safely evacuate customers, especially the more vulnerable and less mobile customers.

There are different types of fire damper; some are spring operated, some have fuseable links and there are  other designs which are remotely operated.  All types must be regularly tested, using a method known as drop testing, cleaned and maintained.  According to the recently updated guidance, BS9999:2017, all fire dampers must be tested at no more than twelve month intervals.

We can help you locate your fire dampers, create access to inaccessible fire dampers then drop test, clean and maintain them for compliance.  More information can be found on our fire dampers testing page.