Insurers are becoming increasingly diligent when dealing with kitchen fire claims, particularly with regard to the scrutinising of extract duct cleaning reports.
The majority of insurers apply a policy condition stating that kitchen extract ducting should be deep cleaned at least every 6 months by a professional contractor (the industry standard for this type of work is known as TR19).
Key items to check when engaging a contractor;
- Ensure the contractor complies with the TR19 industry standard
- Obtain evidence that the contractor has valid ‘Public Liability’ insurance in place with a minimum £5,000,000 Limit of Liability
- Ensure that the contractor provides a schematic of the duct system in their report, which should detail the complete run, including the canopy
- Ask the contractor to provide before and after measurements of grease build-up in their report
- Ask the contractor to provide before and after photos in their report
- Ask the contractor to confirm in writing in their report that 100% of the ducting has been cleaned and passed clean
- Ensure that the contractor is instructed to provide recommendations in their report