Commercial Kitchen Extract System Maintenance Checklist
Keep commercial kitchen ventilation safe and grease-free — canopy and filter cleaning, TR/19 ductwork deep cleans, fan checks, and fire-suppression coordination.
What is a kitchen extract maintenance checklist?
A commercial kitchen extract system maintenance checklist is a structured list of the 10 preventive maintenance tasks — covering visual, functional, cleaning, safety and record-keeping checks — that keep a commercial kitchen extract system running safely and reliably. It groups routine checks by frequency, from daily inspections to annual servicing, so FM teams and building engineers can plan and evidence preventive maintenance.
Core kitchen extract checks
- Inspect access doors along the ductwork for grease and secure sealing
- Check the extract fan for grease build-up, balance, and bearing condition
- Clean grease filters (baffle/mesh) at a frequency suited to cooking load
- Verify any in-duct fire damper or suppression system is serviceable
- Confirm post-clean cleanliness verification (deposit thickness) and certificate
What is a commercial kitchen extract system?
A commercial kitchen extract system removes heat, steam, smoke, and grease-laden vapour from cooking areas via a canopy, grease filters, ductwork, and an extract fan, often with make-up air and fire suppression. Grease build-up in the system is a major fire risk, so cleanliness is a safety issue, not just hygiene. Insurers and the BESA TR/19 (Grease) specification drive a risk-based cleaning regime, with the deep-clean frequency depending on hours of use and cooking type. Maintenance covers daily/weekly filter and canopy cleaning, periodic ductwork deep cleans to TR/19, fan condition, and coordination with any fire damper or suppression system.
Typical Kitchen Extract maintenance checklist
A practical starting point for planned preventive maintenance. Always refer to the manufacturer's O&M manual and site-specific requirements.
Visual Checks
- Inspect access doors along the ductwork for grease and secure sealing
Functional Checks
- Check the extract fan for grease build-up, balance, and bearing condition
- Confirm make-up/supply air is balanced with extract for correct capture
- Check UV/ozone or ESP grease-reduction units operate (where fitted)
Cleaning & Housekeeping
- Clean grease filters (baffle/mesh) at a frequency suited to cooking load
- Clean the canopy interior, capture jets, and collection channels/cups
- Carry out TR/19 (Grease) ductwork deep clean per the risk-based schedule
Safety Checks
- Verify any in-duct fire damper or suppression system is serviceable
Record Keeping
- Confirm post-clean cleanliness verification (deposit thickness) and certificate
- Record cleaning, deep-clean coverage, and fire-system checks in the log
Typical maintenance frequency
Suggested intervals for commercial kitchen extract system maintenance. Actual frequencies should follow manufacturer guidance and site-specific risk assessments.
Daily
- •Clean/replace grease filters
- •Wipe canopy and collection channels
- •Confirm extract running
Monthly
- •Clean accessible canopy plenum
- •Check fan grease build-up
- •Inspect duct access doors
Annually
- •TR/19 ductwork deep clean (or per usage risk)
- •Fan service and balance
- •Fire damper/suppression service
- •Post-clean verification and certificate
Common faults and issues
Issues to be aware of when maintaining commercial kitchen extract system equipment.
Safety and compliance notes
Key safety considerations for commercial kitchen extract system maintenance. This is general guidance only — always follow OEM instructions, statutory requirements, and your organisation's safe systems of work.
Managing Kitchen Extract documentation with PM Assist
PM Assist helps FM and building operations teams search their O&M manuals and building drawings in seconds. Upload your commercial kitchen extract system documentation and ask questions like “When is the next TR/19 deep clean due?” or “Where are the duct access doors located?” — and get source-cited answers instantly.
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