It's the scenario no Cardiff caterer wants: a grease fire in the kitchen, and then the insurer asking a question you can't answer well — "show us your extract cleaning records."
How a fire claim is assessed
After a kitchen fire, the insurer sends a loss adjuster. One of the first things they review is the maintenance history of the extract system, because grease ignition is such a common cause. They're checking whether you met the policy's maintenance condition — which, for kitchens, means cleaning to a recognised standard like TR19 at the right frequency.
The risk of missing records
If you can't show documented, in-date cleaning, the adjuster has grounds to argue the maintenance condition wasn't met. That can mean the claim is reduced, or in serious cases refused entirely — leaving you to cover fire damage, lost trade and any liability yourself. For a small business, that's often existential.
What good records look like
A defensible record is a certificate of compliance for each clean, with before-and-after photographs, grease-depth readings and the next-service date — filed and kept. That's exactly what every clean we arrange produces. It's cheap insurance for your insurance. Request a free quote and start building the paper trail before you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I keep cleaning records?
Keep them for as long as you hold the policy — at minimum the current and previous service. Many businesses keep several years' worth.
What if my last clean wasn't documented?
Arrange a documented clean now and keep every certificate going forward. A clean record from today is far better than none.