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School Kitchen Extraction Cleaning Requirements (UK)
Quick answer: School kitchen extraction systems must be cleaned to the same standard as any commercial kitchen. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the school or local authority must manage the fire risk from grease, and TR19 Grease is the recognised standard. Most school kitchens cook 2–6 hours a day, so they need a full clean of the canopy, ductwork and fan at least every 12 months. Kitchens cooking 6–12 hours a day need it every 6 months. The clean should be done in the holidays, with a written report kept on file.
This guide from Duct Clean London is for school business managers, bursars, facilities teams and catering contractors.
Who is responsible in a school?
| School type | Usually responsible |
|---|---|
| Community and voluntary-controlled schools | The local authority, often with the head teacher and governors |
| Academies and free schools | The academy trust |
| Independent schools | The proprietor or governing body |
| Contracted catering | Shared. The contract should say who arranges extract cleaning. |
Check your catering contract. Filter cleaning is often the caterer’s job, while the ductwork and fan are left to the school, and nobody books them.
What the requirements cover
- Cleaning interval: set by daily cooking hours under TR19 Grease (see how often kitchen extraction should be cleaned).
- Whole system: canopy, filters, plenum, ductwork, fan and discharge, not just the canopy.
- Measurement: grease thickness readings before and after (see the TR19 grease limits).
- Records: a post-clean report with photos, readings and any areas not reached.
- Daily care: catering staff wash filters and wipe canopies between professional cleans.
Planning cleans around the school year
- Summer holiday: best for the annual full-system clean and any access panel work.
- Christmas or Easter: for kitchens on a 6-month cycle.
- Half-terms and weekends: for spot cleans or follow-up visits.
Book early. The summer holidays are the busiest time for school extraction cleaning.
Site rules we work to
- Work only when pupils are off site, or in a fenced-off area agreed with the school
- Signing in, ID and site-specific safety rules
- Agreed safe access to roofs and plant rooms
- Evidence for your fire risk assessment and insurer, ready for audits
Checklist for school business managers
- Find your last extract cleaning report and check the date.
- Confirm daily cooking hours with the catering team.
- Check who is responsible in the catering contract.
- Book the next clean in a holiday window.
- File the report with your fire risk assessment.
See our school kitchen extraction cleaning service for schools, colleges and universities across London.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a school kitchen extraction system be cleaned?
Under TR19 Grease, most school kitchens cooking 2 to 6 hours a day need a full clean at least every 12 months, and kitchens cooking 6 to 12 hours a day every 6 months.
Who is responsible for school kitchen extraction cleaning?
The local authority, academy trust or proprietor, depending on the school type. Catering contracts often split the duties, so check who arranges the duct and fan cleaning.
When should school kitchen extraction be cleaned?
During school holidays, usually the summer break, so pupils are off site and the kitchen is not in use.
Does a school need a TR19 report?
A TR19 post-clean report is the evidence fire risk assessors, insurers and auditors expect to see that grease risk is being managed.
Book a measured clean in London
Duct Clean London cleans canopies, filters, ductwork and extract fans across North West, West and Central London (Zones 1–4), with grease readings and photographs in every report. Call 07843 141416 or send a booking enquiry with your postcode and a few photos of your system.
Related: Duct Clean London home · All services · TR19 cleaning London · All guides