Access for cleaning kitchen ventilation
In response to growing awareness of legislation requiring ventilation systems to be constructed so that filters and other parts requiring cleaning or replacement to be ‘readily accessible’, the National Association of Air Duct-Cleaners UK (NAADUK) has devised a table of guidance for the term ‘readily accessible’. It can be downloaded using the link below. It relates to the cleaning of kitchen extract ductwork systems under Regulation EC852/2004, which became mandatory in 2006.
It would appear that it has been generally thought that HOSE guidance to good practice and insurance companies specifying that kitchen extracts had to be cleaned for insurance renewal were the driving force, but with no real legislation in place.
NAADUK , working with the City of Westminster Environmental Office, the Food Standards Agency and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, have brought this legislation to the attention of the industry to ensure that the sector is aware of its duty of care.
The aim of the NAADUK guidance is to avoid issues of restricted access to ducts for cleaning and maintenance. It is partly based on occurrences found at client sites.