What Is a Post-Clean Verification Report? A Guide for Commercial Kitchen Operators

When a TR19 kitchen extraction clean is completed, the work is only half done. The other half is the documentation — and specifically, the post-clean verification report. This is the document that proves the clean was carried out to the required standard, and it is the document your insurer, fire risk assessor, and Environmental Health Officer will ask to see.

This guide explains what a post-clean verification report must contain, why the grease deposit measurements are the critical element, and what to do if your contractor cannot provide one.

What Is TR19 and Why Does Documentation Matter?

TR19 is the technical reference document published by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) that sets the standard for cleaning and maintaining commercial kitchen ventilation systems. It specifies not only how the cleaning must be carried out, but also how it must be documented.

The documentation requirement exists because a clean that is not documented is, for regulatory purposes, a clean that did not happen. Your insurer cannot verify compliance without a report. Your fire risk assessor cannot confirm that the hazard has been managed without evidence. Your Environmental Health Officer cannot accept verbal assurances.

A TR19 post-clean verification report is therefore not a nice-to-have — it is the evidence of compliance.

What Must a TR19 Post-Clean Verification Report Contain?

TR19 specifies the minimum content that a post-clean verification report must include. A compliant report should contain all of the following:

1. Contractor Details

The report must identify the cleaning contractor, including:

Company name and address
Contact details
Evidence of relevant qualifications (e.g., BESA membership, relevant training certificates)
Public liability insurance details (minimum £5 million is standard for commercial kitchen cleaning)

2. Client and Premises Details

The report must clearly identify:

The client's name and trading name
The premises address
The date of the clean

3. System Description and Schematic

The report should include a description or schematic of the extraction system, identifying:

The canopy or canopies cleaned
The ductwork run, including direction changes and risers
The fan location and type
The discharge point
The positions of access panels

4. Pre-Clean Condition Assessment

Before cleaning begins, the contractor should document the pre-clean condition of the system, including:

Photographic evidence of the system in its pre-clean state
Grease deposit thickness measurements at multiple points throughout the ductwork
Any deficiencies identified (e.g., missing or incorrectly positioned access panels, damaged components)

5. Grease Deposit Thickness Measurements

This is the most technically significant element of the report. TR19 specifies that grease deposit thickness must be measured using a calibrated instrument (typically a magnetic or ultrasonic gauge) at multiple points throughout the ductwork.

The measurements are expressed in microns (µm). TR19 specifies that:

Pre-clean measurements above 200 microns indicate that cleaning is overdue
Post-clean measurements must not exceed 50 microns
Any areas where post-clean measurements exceed 50 microns must be re-cleaned

A report that does not include grease deposit measurements is not TR19-compliant. If your contractor cannot provide measurements, their certificate is not worth the paper it is printed on.

6. Post-Clean Photographic Evidence

The report must include photographic evidence of the system after cleaning, showing:

The canopy interior
The ductwork interior at each access panel
The fan and motor
The discharge point

Photographs should be labelled with the location within the system and the date and time they were taken.

7. Compliance Statement

The report must include a statement confirming whether the system has been cleaned to TR19 standard. If any sections of the system could not be cleaned to standard (e.g., due to insufficient access panels), this must be clearly noted.

8. Recommendations

The report should include:

Recommended date for the next clean
Any remediation required (e.g., additional access panels, fan maintenance)
Any other observations relevant to the safe operation of the system

9. Compliance Certificate

The compliance certificate is a summary document that confirms the clean was carried out to TR19 standard. It should reference the full report and be signed by the contractor.

Why Grease Deposit Measurements Are the Critical Element

Of all the elements in a TR19 post-clean verification report, the grease deposit thickness measurements are the most important — and the most commonly omitted by contractors who are not fully TR19-compliant.

The measurements matter for three reasons:

1. They are the objective evidence of compliance. A photograph of a clean duct is useful, but it does not tell you whether the grease deposit is 10 microns or 90 microns. Only a calibrated measurement can confirm that the post-clean standard has been met.

2. They establish a baseline for future cleans. By comparing pre-clean and post-clean measurements over time, you can track the rate of grease accumulation and adjust your cleaning frequency accordingly. A system that accumulates grease faster than expected may indicate a problem with the extraction efficiency or the cooking process.

3. They are what insurers and fire risk assessors look for. When an insurer or fire risk assessor reviews your TR19 documentation, they will look for the measurements. A report without measurements will not satisfy their requirements.

What to Do If Your Contractor Cannot Provide a Compliant Report

If your current cleaning contractor cannot provide a post-clean verification report that includes grease deposit measurements, photographic evidence, and a compliance certificate, you should consider changing contractors.

A contractor who cannot provide compliant documentation is not carrying out TR19-compliant cleaning — regardless of what their invoice says. Using a non-compliant contractor puts you at risk of:

An invalid insurance claim if a fire occurs
Enforcement action from the fire authority or Environmental Health
A poor outcome in a CQC inspection (for care homes)
Personal liability if a fire causes injury or death

What BlueTick Provides

Every BlueTick TR19 clean includes a comprehensive post-clean verification report that meets all TR19 documentation requirements:

Pre-clean and post-clean photographs of every section of the system
Grease deposit thickness measurements using calibrated instruments
A system schematic identifying all access panels and measurement points
A compliance certificate issued within 48 hours of the clean
Recommendations for next cleaning date and any remediation required

Our reports are designed to satisfy the requirements of insurers, fire risk assessors, Environmental Health Officers, and CQC inspectors. We provide digital copies that you can store securely and produce on demand.

To arrange a TR19 clean with full documentation, call us on 07840 992 246 or complete our online enquiry form.