Indepth Hygiene Brochure: What do fire authorities think is the greatest risk to the safety of building occupants?

1. What do fire authorities think is
the greatest risk to the safety of
building occupants?

2. The grease extract ventilation system
linked to catering facilities
Yes, that's what clearly emerged from a recent a potential fire hazard. As ducting often runs above,
survey of Fire Officers to find out how businesses or through, occupied areas, building occupants are
have dealt with the new Fire Safety Order (the put at risk.
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005). The Solution
Fire Authorities no longer issue Fire Certificates.
They were referring to the typical grease extract
The Fire Safety Order requires premises owners
ducting system which takes grease laden air from
and managers to produce Fire Risk Assessments.
a cooking operation to exhaust to atmosphere. The high fire risk grease extract system must be
Grease particles from the cooking operation are included and action taken to eliminate any identified
deposited on internal ducting surfaces to present fire hazard conditions.

3. Insurance Note Cautionary Note
Most Property Insurers require grease extracts to be A certificate for Insurance is worthless unless the
cleaned either six monthly, or annually, as a minimum. grease extract is fully cleaned.
The Norwich Union, one of the UK's leading
Make sure your grease extract is fully cleaned throughout
Property Insurers states: "kitchen extract ductwork
i.e. in accordance with the Industry professional standard
needs to be inspected internally to check on the
HVCA TR19. Anything less will inevitably mean the
build-up of grease deposits and cleaned annually as
system has not been cleaned in its entirety and will
a minimum, although the exact frequency will
therefore remain a fire risk to building occupants.
depend on the level of usage of the cooking
equipment. Where there has been a failure to In the event of a fire in an uncleaned system the
comply with the legislation they are likely to dispute ‘responsible person’ would be held personally liable
claims or, at the very least, to refuse renewal cover. for the results.
Indepth Hygiene Services will carry out a survey of your grease extract system and provide a detailed report
free of charge. This will provide invaluable information for the preparation of the Fire Risk Assessment and
describe what action needs to be taken to eliminate identified risks.
Phone 020 8661 7888 or email ductclean@indepthhygiene.co.uk for your free survey.

4. A summary of Fire Law changes Reasons why Indepth Hygiene give a
I Fire certificates are abolished. better service
I The 'responsible person or persons' must be appointed I UK's leading independent provider of specialist services
and Fire Risk Assessments produced. for ventilation systems.
I 'Responsible person' to ensure safety of building I Accredited SAFEcontractor – ensures service is delivered
occupants by eliminating, or at least minimising, to highest standards of health & safety compliance.
fire hazards identified in Fire Risk Assessment.
I Registered to BS EN 9001:2000, a member of the Fire
I In multiple occupation premises, the landlord or managing Protection Association and the Heating & Ventilating
agents have responsibility. Contractors Association.
I Fire Authorities will be enforcing authorities with power to I All work carried out in accordance with Industry
ensure responsibility is met and, if it is not, to penalise the specification HVCA TR19.
offender, either financially or by imprisonment.
I £10m liability insurance cover for all services.
I Failure to meet responsibilities can result in personal
I Detailed schematics and photographs of ventilation
liability action against the 'responsible person' in the event
systems provided with survey report.
of a fire.
I Risk Assessments and Method Statements with COSHH
data are provided prior to fire risk elimination service.
I Post clean certification for Fire Authority and Insurance
compliance.
Indepth House, Wellesley Road, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5BW
Tel: 020 8661 7888 Fax: 020 8661 7506
Email: ductclean@indepthhygiene.co.uk www.indepthhygiene.co.uk