Could the state of a kitchen exhaust void insurance?

Look closely at the terms and conditions of your insurance policy and you may find exclusions based on the cleaning and condition of your kitchen exhausts, hoods, ducts, flues and vents.

A fire in any part of your venue that could be traced to a build up of grease, oil, dust or other particles in one of these areas might invalidate your policy.

What are your responsibilities with kitchen exhaust cleaning?

Regular cleaning means different things to different people.

As an operations or facility manager, you need to make sure that your kitchen exhaust and duct systems are inspected, cleaned and certified according to Australian Standards.

Australian Standards require annual inspections and cleaning of kitchen exhaust and duct systems by specialist cleaners as a minimum. But then it also depends on the number of hours a day the kitchen is used and the equipment and type of cooking – open-fire and naked flame cooking can ignite grease more quickly and easily and so requires more frequent cleaning.

What can you do to protect your venue?

1. Organise a full inspection by a specialist technical cleaning company. This will include:

• an inspection of all exhausts, hoods, ducts, flues and vents
• a full written report on completion of the inspection
• full photographic evidence
• remediation advice
• preventative cleaning programme.

2. Ask for a full report after each clean, including before and after photos.

3. Ask for a signed certificate for annual inspections and cleans to submit with your council inspection and insurance renewals.

Protect your venue, your patrons and yourself.

Contact Airgene on 1300 728 310 for a free quote and advice.

All Airgene technicians hold relevant Working at Heights and induction certificates. Airgene is certified to ISO 9001, ISO 45001 and ISO 14001.

Airgene currently provides kitchen exhaust cleaning, duct cleaning and filter services to clubs, restaurants, hotels and entertainment venues throughout Australia.