How often should kitchen extract ductwork be cleaned?
TR19 Grease bases the interval on usage: typically every three months for heavy use, six months for moderate use and twelve months for light use, adjusted by the deposit readings found.
BESA TR19 Grease
Kitchen Extract Grease Cleaning Certificate (TR19)
A TR19 grease cleaning certificate records the cleaning of kitchen extract ductwork to the BESA TR19 Grease specification, confirming grease deposits have been reduced to acceptable levels and the system's fire risk is being managed.
Free plan · No card required · Works offline on site
Grease build-up in extract ductwork is a leading cause of commercial kitchen fires, and insurers routinely require cleaning to TR19 Grease at intervals based on usage: typically every three months for heavy use, six months for moderate use and twelve months for light use.
TradePlanr lets you record the system, the deposit thickness readings before and after, and any access limitations on site, then produce a clear PDF certificate for the client and their insurer.
What it covers
- Site and client details plus the kitchen and system covered
- Description of the extract system: canopy, ductwork runs and fan
- Grease deposit thickness readings before and after cleaning
- Areas cleaned and the method used
- Any areas not accessed, with the reason and recommendations
- Access panels fitted or recommended for future cleans
- Cleaning frequency recommended based on usage
- Operative details, signature, date and next clean due
When it's required
Kitchen extract systems serving commercial cooking need cleaning to TR19 Grease at intervals driven by how heavily the kitchen is used, with heavy-use systems typically cleaned every three months.
The responsible person's fire risk assessment and most property insurance policies rely on the cleaning being done and documented; an uncleaned extract system can invalidate cover after a fire.
The certificate, with before and after deposit readings and any access limitations, is the evidence the clean met the specification and tells the client when the next clean is due.
How to issue it in TradePlanr
- 1
Enter the site and system details
Record the client, the kitchen and the extract system, including the canopy, duct runs and fan, and how heavily the kitchen is used.
- 2
Record deposit readings
Log the grease deposit thickness measurements at the test points before and after the clean, showing the system has been brought within acceptable limits.
- 3
Record the clean and any limitations
Note the areas cleaned and the method, any sections that could not be accessed with recommendations, and the access panels fitted or needed.
- 4
Sign and store the PDF
Capture the signature, set the next clean date, generate the PDF certificate and store it against the site, ready to send to the client and their insurer.
Issue this certificate from your phone or the web
TradePlanr generates this and 45+ other gas, electrical, oil, plumbing and renewables certificates as proper PDFs — filled on site, signed on screen and stored against the job. Works even with no signal. Free to start.
Frequently asked questions
Why do insurers ask for TR19 cleaning?
Grease deposits in extract ductwork are a major fire risk, so insurers commonly make cleaning to TR19 Grease a condition of cover and expect certificates with deposit readings as evidence.
What if parts of the system cannot be accessed?
The certificate records any sections not cleaned, why, and what access panels are needed, so the client can address the limitation before the next clean.
Can I complete the certificate on site?
Yes. TradePlanr lets you record the system, readings and clean, capture the signature and produce the PDF before you leave site.
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