Kitchen Duct Cleaning Don't Get Caught Out By Insurers

Why Now is a Good Time to set up a Kitchen Duct Cleaning Programme

After a serious fire, how long does it take for a commercial kitchen to recover? 1 month? 6 months? No-one can really tell, but what is certain, is that it will have an impact on business long after it is dealt with - higher insurance payments, cost of refurbishment and loss of customer confidence.

In cases where cooking is the core activity of a business, such as in a restaurant, a kitchen fire will have an immediate and severe impact. In businesses, such as pubs or clubs, where cooking is an integral, but not central, part of the business, a kitchen fire can easily spread, impacting on the more important areas.

Grease deposits are a Fire Hazard

During many cooking operations, hot oils evaporate. The grease fumes condense on plenums, kitchen extractor fans and inside extractor system ducts. Not only do these pose a health hazard by harbouring bacteria and attracting insects and other pests, they are a fire hazard unless they are cleaned thoroughly.

Cooking oils are designed for use at about 200^oC. When thermostat failure or human error occurs, oils can be inadvertently heated above their flashpoint and are easily ignited, creating a kitchen fire. Old and frequently used oils ignite at lower temperatures so kitchen operators trying to save money by using cooking oils for as long as possible are exposing their staff and business to an increased risk.

According to Richard Norman of the Building Engineering Services Association (Ref: Modern Building Services Magazine July 2014 issue), grease build up in extractor systems is a major hazard in commercial kitchens. He says that in ninety percent of instances of a kitchen fire, a subsequent grease fire in ducting has spread the fire more widely through the building. It is therefore imperative to carry out regular kitchen duct cleaning and kitchen extractor fan cleaning. This reduces the fire risk and increases kitchen hygiene too.

Changes to Best Practice

Many insurers demand that duct cleaning is carried out in accordance with the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) recommendations. A few insurers require a greater than recommended frequency of cleaning in order that a fire policy is valid so make sure that you have read your policy very carefully. Heavy use kitchens should have specialist duct cleaning at least once every quarter whilst light use kitchen ducts and extraction systems should be cleaned at least once per year.

The BESA recommendations are set out in publication TR/19. This is entitled 'Guide to Good Practice - Internal Cleanliness of Ventilation Systems'. The second (and most recent) edition of TR/19 includes reference to the British and European Standard BS EN 15780 concerning the cleanliness of ventilation systems. This does not include kitchen extractor systems, nevertheless, BESA made changes to highlight the current best practice to minimise the risk of a grease fire in a kitchen duct.

It is section 7 that concerns commercial kitchens. The last round of changes to section 7 concern the frequency of cleaning. A new table has been drawn up showing how often kitchen duct cleaning should take place. Each kitchen has a unique set of circumstances. The new table approaches that issue by publishing figures based on cooking type and hours of cooking.

Certification

When hiring a commercial kitchen cleaning firm, always check beforehand that they will issue a valid certificate of duct cleaning as this is also a requirement of many insurance policies.

Responsibility

Commercial kitchen cleaning is a highly-specialised area requiring both expertise and an in-depth knowledge of both hygiene and fire regulations. Employing a non-specialist contractor could lead to a heavy fine for the owner or manager of the kitchen.

How come?

The Fire Safety Order of 2005 stipulates that the 'responsible person' must ensure that both the facilities and equipment are subjected to a suitable system of maintenance. All must be in good working order and repair. If it is shown that the fire was started or caused by negligence such as poor cleaning of a kitchen duct, then there will be at least a heavy fine. If anyone is killed in such a situation, they face prison.

Choosing your Kitchen Cleaning Contractor

Beware of commercial cleaning companies and individuals who undercut specialist businesses ... they are cheap for a reason! Make sure that you hire the best - call APT today on 0800 0723 773 for a free quote or advice without obligation. We have been at the forefront of the industry, offering one-off deep cleans and regular maintenance cleaning contracts for over 25 years. Our technicians are fully trained and qualified to carry out duct, plenum and extractor fan cleaning.

Algae & Moss Removal

Specialist Algae & Moss Removal Services

The removal of algae and moss from any surface, whether it is a building, road, footpath or outdoor sporting facility, needs consideration and attention in order to get the job done properly, effectively and quickly.

- See more at: http://www.apt-icc.co.uk/algae-removal#sthash.bsNixym6.dpuf

To ensure you treat algae and moss in the most appropriate way for the long term stability of the structure it’s worth understanding how these plants thrive and why it is important to remove them.

Algae is a derivative form of seaweed, and is liable to grow on any surface that is wet, or has been exposed to damp or humid conditions. It can grow extremely quickly, in some cases in a matter of hours, and unlike land plants, algae does not have any leaves or roots, which means that it can grow and spread on almost any surface including bridge structures, stone and masonry, fascia, cladding, pathways, road signs and a whole host of outdoor sporting venues.

- See more at: http://www.apt-icc.co.uk/algae-removal#sthash.bsNixym6.dpuf

Moss is very similar to algae in that is it lacks true roots, growing in damp habitats and spreading by means of spores released from stalked capsules.  

The fact that these plants can grow virtually anywhere makes the challenge of cleaning it off all the more important as a technique that is suitable for one surface may not be suitable for another.

Algae and moss growth will produce a ‘slimy’ texture, which on pavements or walkways can be dangerous and cause a number of slips, but on buildings and other structures it is not necessarily damaging if treated as soon as possible.

The length of time the plants have been left to grow, and the surface area they cover, can greatly vary the time and method needed to properly clean the facade.

Adherence to any surface, and quick regrowth, means that algae and moss can be very troublesome to eliminate effectively, leaving behind stains and, if not treated properly, will simply grow back time and again.

At APT-ICC we a have track record in cleaning algae and moss from a huge range of different surfaces.  Using our specialist teams and our very own, purposely, specifically, and uniquely developed cleaning product, we offer an exceptional guarantee to customers that all surfaces will be treated appropriately, reducing the risk of re-growth wherever possible.

- See more at: http://www.apt-icc.co.uk/algae-removal#sthash.bsNixym6.dpuf

Please do not hesitate to contact our experts, who will offer advice and even visit your site to consult about algae removal. Call our free phone no 0800 072 3773.

Visit - http://www.apt-icc.co.uk/algae-removal

Kitchen Cleaning Services

In this blog, we continue with our series of profiles of our commercial cleaning services, focusing on our kitchen cleaning service.


Hygiene in food-preparation areas is the single most important aspect of running a food-service business. We’ve all seen countless horror stories of restaurants and takeaways being shut down due to dirt, damp, mould and vermin being found not only on site, but in areas were the food is directly stored and prepared.

Although this is so important to a food business, it’s easy to understand how a kitchen could become dirty. How many times have you made a nice, filling dinner and just haven’t had the energy to clean the dishes right away? Now imagine preparing hundreds of meals, then having hundreds of things to clean at the end of the day. Not just the plates and cooking equipment, but the floors and walls as well, which can, over time, get covered with grease and dirt. In a large kitchen it almost impossible for cleaners to make sure ever single inch of the place is spotless. That’s where we can help.

Think cleaning your kitchen is hard? Imagine cleaning this

We offer a kitchen deep clean service, with our trained and experienced cleaning teams efficiently eliminating the progressive build up of grease, oils and grime on walls, floors and worktops, as well as on less accessible surfaces such as canopies, light fittings and walls behind equipment and ceilings. These cleans can be performed as a one-off or as regular six-month visits in the form of a contract cleaning service.

But that’s not all we offer. It’s all well and good to make sure the surfaces in the kitchen are clean, but what about the extractor fans? These remove the steam and air-borne vapour that cause grease and dirt to be left of walls. But over time, the filters of these fans will get blocked with all that grease themselves, which can result in steam and vapour being trapped in the kitchen; a very hazardous situation. Our kitchen duct cleaning service deep cleans your extraction systems, from extraction hood through to external fans, and will replace old filters for new ones if required.

Clean air ducts and ventilation systems are vital for a clean kitchen

For more information or to book our kitchen cleaning service, please call us on 01495 308048 or visit our website by clicking the APT logo below.

High Level Cleaning

In this blog, we will be looking at our specialist high level cleaning services.


Since the dawn of civilization, there have been buildings. In the Middle Ages, there were buildings. When the Industrial Revolution began, there were more buildings. Right now, there are so many buildings. Buildings everywhere. Supermarkets, cinemas, factories, offices; these are all buildings. And like everything else, buildings need to be cleaned. But cleaning a building isn’t like cleaning the dishes; it can be complex, different for every individual building and can be very dangerous when they start going up and up. Cleaning buildings isn’t exactly something that’s thought about very often by most people, but it is with APT.

We’ve been cleaning high level buildings for over 20 years, so we’re confident that we know what we’re doing by now. And as you can probably guess, cleaning a building isn’t just going at it with a bucket and cloth; it takes careful planning and a professionally-trained team using specialist equipment. Luckily we have all of those things, meaning we can provide excellent high level cleaning services.

Our specialist teams are highly trained to use equipment such as this
(Image source - APT-ICC)

But what are those services? What does cleaning a building actually involve? Well, there are three main types of cleaning jobs involved with high level building cleaning, which are:-



1. Exterior Cleaning

This is a very important part of building cleaning in terms of visual aesthetics. Over time, a warehouse, factory or office block is going to get dirtier, which can make them seem older and run-down; definitely not a good look if you are trying to sell yourselves as a company or present the company to potential business partners. Dirty buildings can even have a negative impact on a workforce, as having to go to a run-down, grimy building every day can start to make them feel run-down as well.

Our exterior cleaning service covers cladding cleaning, restoration and protection, graffiti removal, paint removal, general maintenance and awkward access areas including rope access cleaning. Our cleaning processes safely remove carbon, dirt, scale, micro-organisms, pollutants and UV light damage, which can help bring your building back to its original condition. Our services can be provided as a one-off job or as a regular six-month cleaning contract.



2. Roof Cleaning

Whilst the average person is not going to see the roof of a building from street level, it is still important to make sure they are cleaned. If a roof is left without maintenance, moss and algae can develop. If these organisms are left unchecked, they can block gutters, damage ventilation systems and attract insects. They can even begin to eat through the roof itself if left long enough. In the cold, winter months, the algae and moss can freeze solid, which can cause major problems due to the increased weight on the roof.

Our canopy cleaning and roof cleaning services will prevent this damage by removing all traces of moss and algae. As a professional commercial roof cleaning company we hold a waste carriers license and therefore we will dispose of any moss and dirt that is removed at our designated waste disposal sites. 

Regular roof maintenance is vital to ensure your building is clean and safe
(Image source - APT-ICC)

3. Gutter Cleaning

A lot of people have experience with blocked gutters. Usually during autumn with its falling leaves, the guttering of homes can get blocked, which most often gets sorted with a broom being poked from a bedroom window. But that method doesn’t quite work for large, commercial buildings. Blocked drains stop water from running off the roof and into drains at street level. If there is a heavy period of rain, this can lead to flooding, something that would be very damaging for a business. Did you know that 64% of flooding is caused by blocked drains, and that insurance companies can use this to blame you and deny a claim?

We offer both high level gutter cleaning and commercial gutter cleaning services as a one-off clean or at regular intervals to ensure your property doesn't suffer water damage for something so easily remedied. Gutter cleaning can be dangerous due to the height and sometimes difficult to reach position of the gutters and should therefore always be left to professional companies offering high level gutter cleaning services.


If you require any of these services, visit our website by clicking on our logo below, or ring us on 01495 308048 for a free, no-obligation quote and advice on what service would be best of your needs.

Soda Blasting - A Revolution in Pressure Cleaning

In this blog, we will be looking at soda-blasting, the revolutionary new method of removing built-up dirt that’s damage-free and environmentally-friendly.


APT have been in the commercial cleaning industry for a long time. We've cleaned all types of buildings, machinery and properties using every piece of equipment imaginable. But nothing has changed the way we look at commercial cleaning more than the method of pressure cleaning known as soda blasting.

So what is soda blasting? It is a form of pressure washing that uses specially formulated granules of natural bicarbonate of soda and controlled amounts of compressed air to remove decades of build up from pollution, residues and coatings from virtually any surface without damaging the structure or surface underneath. This is because soda particles fracture into smaller particles on impact thus providing a thorough cleaning action while softening the impact on the substrate. This is the reason soda blasting is a revolution in the cleaning industry, as it is free from the solvents, chemicals and abrasives used in traditional pressure cleaning methods that can cause damage to the building or surface being cleaned.

Our soda blasting is very effective against graffiti

(Image source - APT)

Another reason soda blasting is making such an impact in the industry is because of the speed in which it works. Because of the way in which the soda particles impact the surface, dirt and waste washes off in a fraction of the time it would take traditional cleaning methods. Also, soda blasting is extremely versatile, as it is effective on virtually any surface (including steel, glass, brick and wood), works against virtually any substance (algae, chewing gum, graffiti paint, rust) and works on both dry and wet surfaces.

All of these benefits make soda blasting stand out as the best forms of commercial cleaning, which is why it is one of our most important methods of cleaning here at APT. If you want more information on soda blasting, please visit our specialized soda blasting website http://www.soda-blasting-services.co.uk. If you are interested in hiring this service for your business, please click on our logo below to go to our commercial cleaning website.

Welcome to APT

APT offer a wide range of commercial cleaning and contract cleaning services, including including kitchen deep cleans, graffiti removal, property restoration, roof cleaning and our environmental-friendly soda-blasting service.

Our services are delivered by a skilled and dedicated team who operate throughout the UK and are available 24/7, 365 days a year. We have over 25 years experience in commercial cleaning and are fast becoming a leader in the industry.

Our workforce are reliable and are trained to the highest standards

(Image source - APT)

This ongoing blog will talk about the range of cleaning services we provide, looking at how they work and how they can be beneficial to you, along with keeping up with current affairs in the commercial cleaning industry.

For more information, visit our website at www.apt-icc.co.uk, or for regular updates on the company and our services, follow us on Twitter at @APTCCS 

If you are interested in purchasing cleaning products, please visit our sister site www.aptcleaningsupplies.co.uk 

This blog will be updated every Thursday, so come here for everything you need to know about APT Commercial Cleaning Services.