LONDON -
July 16, 2013 -
PRLog -- Swiftclean MD Gary Nicholls today joined calls from the London Fire Brigade for restaurant owners and managers to ensure that kitchen extract ductwork (http://www.swiftclean.co.uk/
kitchen-extract-
cleaning/) and ventilation systems are regularly and thoroughly cleaned, as a restaurant fire in Lisle Street, close to Leicester Square, was ‘seen for miles around’
.
“
This perfectly illustrates the need to remove oil, fat and grease deposits in commercial kitchen extract ductwork on a regular basis,”
he said. “
This requires specialist cleaning and different skills from those needed to keep a kitchen otherwise spotless. The ductwork isn’t seen, but if not kept scrupulously clean, harbours the potential for a fire which poses a danger to life and limb and can represent thousands of pounds worth of damage plus a critical interruption of business to a restaurant.”
Four appliances and 20 fire fighters tackled the blaze, which according to London Fire Brigade involved the restaurant’
s ventilation system. Station Manager Charlie Pugsley, who was at the scene said: “
Businesses should make sure that their ventilation system is kept clean, as build-up of fat and grease within extract filters can lead to a fire.”
Two other London catering establishments also suffered fires due to grease build up in their extract ductwork on the same day – 8
th July 2013 – a restaurant in Boundary Road, St John’s Wood and a takeaway in Bartholomew Street, Southwark.
Failure to keep ductwork clean can also render the building’
s insurance null and void, meaning that there may not be a pay out in the event of the fire, warns Swiftclean. Regular expert cleaning, backed by informative certification can provide valuable protection and comprise critical evidence in the event of a claim. The company, which provides expert kitchen extract ductwork cleaning (
http://www.swiftclean.co.uk/duct-cleaning/) services, is highly experienced and its senior management is often called to provide expert evidence in legal cases involving fire damage in extract systems.