Run a kitchen anywhere in Swansea and the term "TR19" will reach you sooner or later — usually from an insurer or fire-risk assessor. Here's what sits behind it.
What TR19 actually is
TR19 is the recognised UK guide to good practice for managing grease in commercial kitchen extract systems. It's published by BESA, the Building Engineering Services Association, and sets out how a system should be cleaned, how often, and what evidence to keep. It isn't legislation — but it's the yardstick the whole industry, including insurers and fire authorities, measures against.
Why your insurer brings it up
Commercial kitchen policies almost always carry a condition that the extract system is maintained to a recognised standard, and TR19 is that standard. So although no law names it, your policy effectively does. If a grease fire ever happens, the loss adjuster asks for your cleaning history — and without TR19-standard records a claim can be challenged.
What a real TR19 clean covers
A genuine clean follows the whole system: the canopy and plenum, the full ductwork to the external outlet, and the extraction fan — with grease-depth readings, photos at each access point, and a certificate stating the next service date. A quick canopy wipe with an invoice isn't the same thing, and won't stand up when it matters. See our TR19 guide or get a free quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TR19 a legal requirement in Wales?
No — it's industry guidance, not law. But Swansea insurers and fire-risk assessors use it as the benchmark, so in practice you're held to it.
What records do I get from a TR19 clean?
A certificate of compliance, before/after photos, grease-depth readings and a next-service date — the evidence insurers and EHO officers look for.