Does Your Commercial Kitchen Insurance Require TR19 Compliance?

The short answer is: almost certainly yes. The longer answer requires you to read your policy wording carefully — because the specific requirements vary by insurer, and the consequences of non-compliance can be severe.

This guide explains what TR19 compliance conditions look like in commercial kitchen insurance policies, what documentation you need to maintain, and what happens if you fail to comply.

What Is a Policy Condition?

Insurance policies contain two types of obligations: warranties and conditions. A condition is a requirement that must be met for the policy to remain valid. Breach of a condition gives the insurer the right to decline a claim — even if the breach is unrelated to the loss.

TR19 compliance is typically written as a condition in commercial kitchen insurance policies. This means that if you fail to maintain your extraction system in accordance with the TR19 standard, your insurer may decline a fire claim — even if the fire was caused by something entirely unrelated to your extraction system.

What Does a TR19 Compliance Condition Look Like?

Policy wording varies, but a typical TR19 compliance condition reads something like this:

"It is a condition of this policy that all kitchen extraction and ventilation systems are cleaned and maintained in accordance with the BESA TR19 standard by a qualified contractor, at the frequencies specified therein. A TR19-compliant service report must be obtained after each cleaning visit and retained for a minimum of three years."

Some policies go further and specify:

The minimum cleaning frequency for different cooking types
That cleaning must be carried out by a BESA-registered or similarly qualified contractor
That the service report must include specific measurements (deposit thickness) and photographic evidence
That the insurer must be notified if the system cannot be cleaned to the required standard

Where to Find the Condition in Your Policy

TR19 compliance conditions are typically found in:

The policy schedule — a summary of key conditions specific to your policy
The policy wording — the main document, usually in a section headed "Conditions", "Warranties", or "Fire Protection"
An endorsement — a separate document that modifies the standard policy wording

If you cannot find a specific TR19 condition, look for references to:

"Kitchen extraction cleaning"
"Ventilation system maintenance"
"Grease duct cleaning"
"Fire prevention conditions"
"Cooking appliance conditions"

If you are still unsure, ask your insurance broker to confirm what your policy requires. This is a straightforward question that any competent broker should be able to answer immediately.

What Documentation Do You Need?

To demonstrate TR19 compliance to your insurer, you need:

A TR19-compliant service report from a qualified contractor, produced after every cleaning visit. This must include:
The date of the clean
The name and qualifications of the contractor
Before-and-after photography of every section of the system
Deposit thickness measurements (before and after)
A compliance statement confirming the system meets the TR19 standard
The recommended date for the next clean

A cleaning schedule demonstrating that cleaning has been carried out at the frequency required by TR19 and your policy

Records going back at least three years — most policies require you to retain documentation for this period

What Happens If You Don't Comply?

The consequences of non-compliance depend on when the breach is discovered:

At the Point of Claim

If a fire occurs and your insurer discovers that your extraction system was not TR19-compliant at the time, they may:

Decline the claim entirely — on the basis that you breached a policy condition
Reduce the settlement — on the basis of contributory negligence
Investigate the cause of the fire — if grease accumulation contributed to the fire, the insurer will use this to support a claim decline

At Renewal

If your insurer's risk surveyor visits your premises and finds non-compliance, they may:

Require immediate remediation as a condition of renewal
Increase your premium to reflect the elevated risk
Decline to renew if the non-compliance is considered too serious

At Any Time

If you become aware that your extraction system is non-compliant, you have a duty to notify your insurer under the duty of fair presentation (Insurance Act 2015). Failure to do so could give your insurer grounds to avoid the policy.

The BlueTick Advantage: CII-Qualified Insurance Review

BlueTick Extraction Hygiene is unique among TR19 cleaning companies in that our founder holds CII (Chartered Insurance Institute) qualifications and works alongside Focus Insurance Services, an FCA-regulated commercial insurance brokerage.

This means that when we clean your extraction system, we don't just produce a TR19 certificate — we review your policy requirements and confirm that your cleaning schedule and documentation meet your insurer's specific conditions.

This service is provided as standard to all our clients. It is our way of ensuring that the work we do actually protects your business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: My insurer has never asked for a TR19 certificate. Does that mean I don't need one?

No. The absence of a request does not mean the condition does not exist. Many insurers only ask for documentation at the point of claim — by which time it is too late. Check your policy wording now, not after a fire.

Q: I had my extraction system cleaned but the contractor didn't give me a TR19 report. What should I do?

Contact the contractor and request a TR19-compliant service report. If they cannot provide one, the clean may not satisfy your insurance requirements. Consider commissioning a new clean from a qualified TR19 contractor.

Q: My policy says I need to clean "regularly" but doesn't specify TR19. Am I still required to comply with TR19?

The TR19 standard is the UK's recognised benchmark for extraction system cleanliness. Even if your policy does not explicitly reference TR19, a court or insurer would likely apply TR19 as the relevant standard when assessing whether your system was "regularly" cleaned.

Q: Can I get insurance without TR19 compliance?

Some insurers will provide cover without a TR19 compliance condition, but this is increasingly rare for commercial kitchen operators. If you are obtaining new insurance, disclose the current condition of your extraction system honestly. Failure to do so could constitute a material non-disclosure.