Managing kitchen exhaust systems across multiple commercial kitchens is no small task. For managers overseeing operations in the hospitality industry, ensuring these systems are clean, safe, and compliant is essential. The Best Practice Guide (BPG)for Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Management offers valuable recommendations to address one of the most persistent issues: effectively accessing and cleaning ductwork.
Let’s explore the challenges managers face and how the BPG’s guidelines can provide solutions.
The Challenges of Ductwork Maintenance
Kitchen exhaust systems are a lifeline for commercial kitchens, but their maintenance is riddled with obstacles. Each kitchen operates under unique conditions, and ductwork designs often amplify the difficulties. Cleaning ductwork often involves accessing confined spaces or working on vertical sections, which poses safety risks. Maintenance personnel face hazards such as falls, exposure to cleaning chemicals, and ergonomic strain.
Below are the most common challenges with ductwork:
1. Insufficient Access Points
A major challenge in ductwork maintenance is the lack of adequate access points. Many systems are designed without enough hatches, or the hatches are poorly placed, limiting access to critical areas where grease builds up. These hard-to-reach areas accumulate grease, increasing fire hazards and making cleaning inefficient.
2. Complex Duct Layouts
The design of exhaust ductwork often includes sharp bends, vertical sections, and intersections that are difficult to clean. These configurations trap grease, making thorough cleaning nearly impossible with conventional methods.
3. Obstructions from Other Building Services
Fire sprinkler systems, electrical conduits, or structural elements often obstruct ductwork or access hatches. These obstructions prevent cleaning personnel from reaching key areas, leaving parts of the system untreated.
4: Aging or Retrofitted Systems
Older exhaust systems or retrofitted ductwork may not meet modern standards for accessibility, further complicating cleaning efforts, and these systems often require upgrades to enable effective maintenance.
Recommendations for Managers:
In some cases, there may be no option but to replace or retrofit older systems with access hatches to ensure that duct design complies with current best practices for long-term maintainability.
- Exhaust & Ductwork Audit:Managers should conduct routine audits of access to ductwork and rooftops to ensure kitchen exhaust systems remain safe, efficient, and compliant.
- Adequate Access Hatches:Access hatches should be installed at intervals no greater than 3 meters along the ductwork. Additional hatches are recommended at bends, intersections, and other high-risk areas to ensure comprehensive cleaning.
- Access to Hatches:All cleaning hatches must be safely accessible with stable ladder access and managers should coordinate with building services to prevent interference with access points.
- Pre-Job Inspection:Invite professional contractors to inspect the worksite prior to cleaning to ensure compliance, safety, and thorough cleaning across all venues.
- Improvement Actions:Cleaning contractors should specifically report on any areas of the ductwork where access and cleaning was compromised, and managers should implement improvement actions as a matter of urgency.
Special Considerations – Ductwork Between Buildings
In some cases, ductwork must pass from one building to another, potentially crossing property boundaries or entering another tenancy. This scenario introduces additional complexities as ductwork located in another tenancy may be difficult to access due to physical or legal restrictions. Gaining permission from other tenants or property owners can be time-consuming and may disrupt maintenance schedules.
Recommendations for Ductwork Between Buildings
Under these circumstances, it is sensible to establish formal agreements with neighbouring tenants or property owners to guarantee access to the ductwork for inspection and cleaning. This should also include the installation of access hatches at both ends of the duct where it enters and exits another property to minimise disruption and ensure compliance. Finally, open communication between the parties should be maintained to schedule maintenance at mutually convenient times.
Safe Roof Access for Cleaning Exhaust Fans and Adjacent Rooftops
Cleaning kitchen exhaust fans often requires accessing rooftops, which introduces additional safety challenges. Working at height poses significant risks, including falls and equipment handling issues.
Many rooftops lack properly secured ladders, walkways, guardrails or anchors, and in many cases, there are no proper systems in place to transport tools and cleaning equipment to rooftops. In addition, high winds, rain, or extreme heat can make rooftop work hazardous.
Recommendations for Safe Roof Access:
- Install Secure Access Systems:Ensure that fixed ladders, walkways, and guardrails meet Australian HSE standards for working at height.
- Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):Require workers to use safety harnesses, lanyards, and other fall protection gear when working on rooftops.
- Conduct Risk Assessments:Before any maintenance, assess weather conditions and rooftop stability to minimise risks.
- Provide Safe Equipment Transport:Use pulleys or dedicated access tools to safely transport equipment to rooftop areas.
- Regular Training:Ensure that all personnel are trained in working at height and familiar with rooftop safety protocols.
Preparing for Out-of-Hours Duct Cleaning
As duct cleaning is typically scheduled after hours to minimise disruptions, kitchen staff can take several steps to prepare for the arrival of the cleaning crew. Proper preparation ensures that the cleaning process is efficient and effective, reducing time and operational downtime.
Steps for Kitchen Staff Preparation:
- Clear Work Areas:Staff should remove any equipment, utensils, or supplies from areas near the exhaust system, including under hoods and around access points. This provides cleaning crews with unobstructed access, prevents contamination of kitchen items and facilitates use of protective sheets or tarps to safeguard against debris or cleaning residues.
- Shut Down Appliances:Ensure all cooking equipment connected to the exhaust system is turned off and cooled down. This prevents safety hazards and allows crews to work without interference.
- Coordinate Entry Access:Provide cleaning crews with clear instructions on building and kitchen access, including security codes, keys, or point-of-contact details for after-hours entry.
- Communicate Special Requirements:Inform the cleaning crew of any specific concerns, such as system modifications, unique ductwork layouts, or areas requiring extra attention.
Conclusion
Effective maintenance of kitchen exhaust systems demands a proactive approach that considers the unique challenges of accessing and cleaning ductwork. By following the Best Practice Guide’s recommendations, managers can implement systems that ensure safety, compliance, and operational efficiency across multiple venues.
Investing in proper planning, tools, and scheduling not only protects assets but also demonstrates a commitment to excellence in kitchen operations. For managers seeking long-term solutions, aligning with the BPG’s standards is a smart, forward-thinking strategy.