Access Panel Installation for Kitchen Extraction Systems
Professional access panel installation to BESA TR19 standard. Enables full ductwork cleaning, satisfies insurer requirements, and brings your extraction system into compliance. Serving Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, and Northamptonshire.
Why Access Panels Are Essential for TR19 Compliance
BESA TR19 — the industry standard for kitchen extraction cleaning — requires that all sections of the ductwork are accessible for inspection and cleaning. This means access panels must be installed at regular intervals along the ductwork, at every change of direction, and at every junction. Without adequate access panels, it is physically impossible to clean the ductwork to TR19 standard.
Many commercial kitchens — particularly those in older buildings or those that have been extended or modified — have extraction systems with inadequate or no access panels. This is one of the most common reasons why a TR19 clean cannot be completed to the required standard, and why insurers may decline claims arising from kitchen fires.
BlueTick Extraction Hygiene provides a professional access panel installation service as part of our TR19 compliance programme. We assess your existing ductwork, identify the locations where access panels are required, and install purpose-made panels to BESA TR19 standard. Once installed, we complete the TR19 clean and provide a full compliance report — bringing your extraction system into full compliance in a single programme of work.
Our CII-qualified founder reviews your insurance policy requirements before the installation to ensure the work we carry out satisfies your insurer's exact conditions. This means you can be confident that the access panels we install — and the TR19 clean we complete — will be accepted by your insurer at renewal or in the event of a claim.
Access Panel Installation — What's Included
Ductwork Survey & Access Plan
We survey your entire extraction system and produce a detailed access panel installation plan showing the location and specification of every panel required under BESA TR19 guidelines.
Purpose-Made Panel Fabrication
Access panels are fabricated to the exact dimensions of your ductwork, using materials that match the existing duct construction. All panels comply with BESA TR19 specifications.
Professional Installation
Panels are installed by trained technicians using appropriate cutting, fitting, and sealing techniques. All work is completed to BESA TR19 standard and does not compromise the integrity of the ductwork.
Post-Installation TR19 Clean
Once access panels are installed, we complete a full TR19 clean of the entire extraction system — canopy, ductwork, risers, and fans — and provide a comprehensive compliance report.
Compliance Documentation
You receive a full installation record showing the location and specification of every access panel installed, together with the TR19 compliance certificate for the post-installation clean.
Insurer Liaison
Our CII-qualified founder can liaise directly with your insurer or insurance broker to confirm that the access panel installation and TR19 clean satisfy your policy conditions.
BESA TR19 requires access panels at maximum 3-metre intervals along all ductwork runs
of insurers now require TR19 compliance certificates — impossible without adequate access panels
typical installation time for a standard extraction system — completed without closing the kitchen
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an access panel and why does my extraction system need one?
An access panel is an opening cut into the ductwork of your kitchen extraction system that allows technicians to inspect, clean, and verify the interior. BESA TR19 guidelines require access panels to be installed at regular intervals along the ductwork — typically every 3 metres and at every change of direction. Without adequate access panels, it is impossible to clean the ductwork to TR19 standard or to verify that the clean has been completed. Insurers increasingly require evidence that the ductwork is accessible for cleaning, and may decline claims if the system cannot be demonstrated to be TR19-compliant.
How many access panels does my extraction system need?
The number of access panels required depends on the length, layout, and complexity of your ductwork. BESA TR19 guidelines specify that access panels should be installed at maximum 3-metre intervals along horizontal ductwork, at every change of direction, at every junction, and at the fan inlet and outlet. We assess your specific system during the free site survey and provide a detailed access panel installation plan.
Can access panels be installed in an existing extraction system?
Yes. We install access panels in existing ductwork as a standalone service or as part of a TR19 cleaning programme. The installation involves cutting an opening in the ductwork at the required location, fitting a purpose-made access panel frame, and sealing the panel to maintain the integrity of the ductwork. The work is typically completed in a single visit and does not require the kitchen to be closed.
Will my insurer require access panels?
Most commercial kitchen insurers require the extraction system to be capable of being cleaned to TR19 standard. If your ductwork does not have adequate access panels, it cannot be cleaned to TR19 standard — and your insurer may decline a claim arising from a kitchen fire. Our CII-qualified founder reviews your specific policy requirements and can advise on whether access panel installation is required to maintain your cover.
How long does access panel installation take?
The time required depends on the number of panels to be installed and the complexity of the ductwork. A typical installation of 4 to 6 panels can usually be completed in a single day. We offer out-of-hours installation to minimise disruption to your kitchen operations. We provide a detailed installation plan and timeline before work begins.