An Overview of TR19 Regulations

This article provides an overview of TR19 regulations, which govern the rules and guidelines around duct work cleaning in commercial kitchens.

TR19 regulations apply to anyone who offers duct cleaning services. There are a great deal of health and safety elements involved in the TR19 regulations and it is essential that these are understood and adhered to, both from a theoretical and practical perspective.

Safe cleaning methodology, health and safety legislation, and hazard and fault awareness are all vital parts of TR19 regulations that must be learnt, practised, and then followed.

What is Involved with TR19?

TR19 must be followed by anyone who offers duct cleaning services. It is a comprehensive standard in the following key areas:

Access mechanisms

Ductwork systems should be kept free of irregularities and contain access panels of adequate number, quality, and size, to enable the system to be frequently inspected and cleaned to an acceptable standard. This process also helps with preventing a build of dust and grease inside the system.

Inspection mechanisms

TR19 regulations state that ductwork inspections must be carried out in regular intervals that do not exceed 12 months. This will help to see if duct cleaning services are required and to prevent grease in the system not exceeding the acceptable standards.

A specialist must make inspections before and after any duct cleaning is carried out to assess whether the prescribed cleaning interval is adequate, or if adjustments to the schedule are required.

The measurements of grease and dust deposits should be taken (where possible) at the following locations:

• Canopy/Extract plenum behind filters
• Duct — 1 meter from canopy
• Duct — 3 meters from canopy
• Duct — midway between canopy and fan
• Duct — upstream of fan
• Discharge duct downstream of fan

Cleaning processes

TR19 also requires the following cleaning processes:

• Hand Wipe: Manually wiping the surface of the ductwork system.
• Hand Scrape: Manually scraping heavy deposits off ductwork surfaces.
• Chemicals: Using chemicals to soften or dissolve deposits, making it possible to scrape.
• High Pressure Water Wash: Using high pressure water or vapour lance to dislodge or dissolve deposits.
• Blasting: Blasting contaminants off duct and component surfaces, to be vacuumed afterwards.

TR19 also recommends the following cleaning intervals are conducting:

• Heavy use (12–16 hours a day): at least every 3 months
• Moderate use (6–12 hours a day) : at least every 6 months
• Light use (2–6 hours a day): at least every 12 months

Post cleaning verification methods

The main verification for checking the cleanliness of a system following a clean is to visually inspect it. A post cleaning verification report must also be produced and contain the following information:

• The systems cleaned
• Pre-clean measurements
• Post-clean measurements
• Photographic records
• Additional works carried out
• COSHH data on any chemicals used
• Recommendations for future cleaning requirements
• Observations on the condition of the ductwork system
• A sketch or schematic of the system indicating access panel and testing locations, highlighting any uncleaned areas with a written explanation as to why the area could not be accessed/cleaned

The report can be used to provide proof and verification of cleanliness to insurers and environmental inspectors, and acts as proof that TR19 regulations have been followed.

Duct Cleaning Services

All public buildings must comply with safety legislations. Duct cleaning services are essential in commercial kitchens. If a fire in a ventilation system were to take hold it could lead to:

• Kitchen Closure
• Lost revenue
• Higher insurance premiums
• Bad publicity

Assured Cleanings duct cleaning services team are regularly assessed ‘on the job’ by the HVCA to ensure they comply to TR19 Regulations.

Their comprehensive duct cleaning services ensures businesses benefit from:

• Reduced risk of fire
• Compliance with the requirements of all major insurers
• Compliance with the Food Safety Act
• Reduced risk of pest infestation
• Improved equipment efficiency

For more details please visit www.assuredcleaning.co.uk/contract-cleaning/sectors/duct-cleaning-services