Most commercial kitchen insurers require extraction systems to be cleaned at least twice a year — and TR19 guidance from BESA sets the same minimum standard for moderate-use commercial kitchens. A bi-annual cleaning programme is the baseline that protects your insurance, satisfies EHO inspectors and demonstrates responsible management of your commercial kitchen.
We arrange twice-yearly kitchen extract cleaning quotes for food businesses across Pembrokeshire and West Wales, connecting you with specialist providers who deliver TR19-focused cleaning with full post-clean documentation at each visit.
Why twice a year is the insurance minimum
Commercial property insurance policies for food businesses typically include conditions relating to the maintenance of fire risk systems — and kitchen extraction is specifically referenced by most insurers. The industry standard that insurers and fire authorities reference is TR19 guidance from BESA, which classifies moderate-use kitchens (the majority of restaurants, pubs, hotels and similar establishments) as requiring professional cleaning every six months.
In plain terms: if your kitchen operates a regular food service with mixed cooking methods, twice a year is the minimum cleaning frequency your insurer considers adequate. Annual cleaning — which many operators mistakenly believe is sufficient — falls below this standard for most commercial kitchens and leaves your insurance cover at risk.
In the event of a kitchen fire, an insurer will review your cleaning records. If your records show annual cleans on a moderate or heavy-use kitchen, the claim investigation will focus on whether inadequate maintenance was a contributing factor. This is a situation that bi-annual cleaning records prevent.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RR(FS)O) requires the responsible person for any commercial premises to assess and manage fire risks. Grease accumulation in kitchen extract systems is an identified fire risk — and failure to manage it adequately can constitute a breach of the Order. Local fire authorities inspecting Pembrokeshire commercial kitchens may specifically review extract cleaning records as part of a fire safety inspection.
The RR(FS)O does not prescribe specific cleaning frequencies, but TR19 guidance is the recognised industry standard that fire authorities and courts reference when assessing whether a responsible person has taken adequate steps.
What a bi-annual programme includes
Each visit in a bi-annual cleaning programme covers the complete extract system:
- Full canopy clean — hood body, internal surfaces, filter frames and grease channels
- Grease filter service — deep clean or replacement of baffle filters
- Ductwork cleaning — full duct run from canopy to external discharge, including horizontal runs, risers and bends
- Fan and motor clean — impeller blades, fan housing and discharge arrangements
- Post-clean report — comprehensive documentation confirming scope of work, system condition and next recommended service date
The documentation produced at each visit is the evidence your insurer, fire officer or EHO inspector needs to see.
Planning your bi-annual schedule
For many Pembrokeshire food businesses, the most practical bi-annual schedule aligns cleaning with the natural rhythm of the hospitality calendar:
Spring clean (March–April): before the Easter and summer tourist season, ensuring the system is at peak performance for your busiest trading period.
Autumn clean (September–October): post-summer, removing the accumulated grease from peak season and protecting the system through the quieter winter months.
This schedule ensures your documentation is current through every trading period and that your system performs well when it matters most.
Upgrading from annual to bi-annual cleaning
Many Pembrokeshire food businesses are currently on annual cleaning schedules that no longer reflect their actual insurance requirements. If your insurer has queried your cleaning frequency, or your last clean was more than six months ago, now is the time to establish a compliant bi-annual programme.
We arrange quotes and can help you establish an ongoing schedule with a specialist provider, ensuring you have current post-clean documentation at all times.