TR19 is the UK's leading guidance for the hygiene of commercial kitchen extract systems, published by BESA (the Building Engineering Services Association). It sets out how kitchen extract systems should be cleaned, how often, and what records should be kept — and it has become the reference point insurers, fire authorities and environmental health officers use nationwide.
Why TR19 matters for Swansea kitchens
Grease build-up in extract systems is a leading cause of commercial kitchen fires. TR19 exists to manage that risk. For a Swansea food business the practical point is simple: most commercial kitchen insurance requires the extract system to be maintained to a recognised standard, and TR19 is that standard. After a grease fire, a loss adjuster asks for your cleaning records, and documented TR19 cleaning is what keeps a claim valid.
What a TR19 clean covers
A TR19 clean follows the whole extract pathway — the canopy and plenum, the full ductwork run to the external discharge, and the extraction fan and housing. Grease readings are taken before and after, access points are photographed, and a certificate of compliance is issued with a recommended next-service date.
How often is cleaning required?
| Usage | Typical kitchen | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Small café, community hall | Every 12 months |
| Moderate | Restaurant, pub, hotel, care home | Every 6 months |
| Heavy | Takeaway, Wind Street bar kitchen | Every 3 months |
What a compliant clean includes
Pre-clean grease assessment; cleaning of the canopy, full ductwork run and fan to specification; post-clean grease readings; before/after photographs; and a certificate of compliance with contractor details and next service date. If any of these are missing, the clean doesn't fully meet the standard.
Related: TR19 Extract Cleaning service · Ductwork Cleaning · Get a free quote
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TR19 a legal requirement?
TR19 is guidance rather than legislation, but UK insurers and fire-risk assessors treat it as the benchmark for a properly maintained kitchen extract system. Without TR19-standard records, a grease-fire claim can be challenged or refused.
How often does TR19 require cleaning?
Frequency depends on usage: light-use kitchens annually, moderate-use kitchens (most restaurants, pubs and hotels) every six months, and heavy-use kitchens such as takeaways every three months.
What records should I keep?
Your post-clean certificate, before/after photographs, grease-depth readings and the next service date — what your insurer, EHO inspector and fire-risk assessor will ask to see.
Do you arrange TR19 cleaning in Swansea?
Yes — we arrange TR19 extract cleaning quotes across Swansea and the Gower, with full certification included.