TR19 is the UK's leading guidance document for the hygiene of commercial kitchen extract systems, published by BESA — the Building Engineering Services Association. It defines how kitchen extract systems should be cleaned, how often, and what records should be kept, and it has become the reference point that insurers, fire authorities and environmental health officers use across the country.
Why TR19 matters for Cardiff kitchens
Grease accumulation in kitchen extract systems is a leading cause of commercial kitchen fires. TR19 exists to manage that risk. For a Cardiff food business, the practical importance is simple: most commercial kitchen insurance policies require the extract system to be maintained to a recognised standard, and TR19 is that standard. After a fire involving grease ignition, a loss adjuster will ask for your cleaning records — and documented TR19 cleaning is what keeps a claim valid.
What TR19-focused cleaning covers
A TR19-focused clean addresses the entire extract pathway, not just the visible canopy: the canopy and plenum, the full ductwork run to the external discharge point, and the extraction fan and housing. Grease-depth readings are taken before and after, photographs are recorded at access points, and a certificate of compliance is issued with a recommended next-service date.
How often is cleaning required?
TR19 bases frequency on how heavily the kitchen is used:
| Usage | Typical kitchen | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Small café, community hall | Every 12 months |
| Moderate | Restaurant, pub, hotel, care home | Every 6 months |
| Heavy | Takeaway, busy city-centre 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 the 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 a guidance standard 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 fire claim involving grease can be challenged or refused.
How often does TR19 require cleaning?
TR19 sets frequency by usage: light-use kitchens annually, moderate-use (most restaurants, pubs and hotels) every six months, and heavy-use kitchens such as takeaways every three months.
What documentation should I keep?
Keep your post-clean certificate, before/after photographs, grease-depth readings and the recommended next-service date. This is what your insurer, EHO inspector and fire-risk assessor will ask to see.
Do you arrange TR19-compliant cleaning in Cardiff?
Yes — we arrange TR19-focused kitchen extract cleaning quotes across Cardiff and South Wales, with full certification included.