Question 1

Is a TR19 certificate a legal requirement?

Accepted Answer

No. TR19 is industry guidance published by BESA, not legislation. However the fire safety duty it helps you discharge is a legal one, and your insurer may make TR19 cleaning a condition of your policy — which is a contractual obligation that can be stricter than the law.

Question 2

How long is a TR19 certificate valid for?

Accepted Answer

A certificate records the condition of the system on the day it was cleaned; it does not expire on a fixed date. What matters is your next due clean, which depends on how heavily the kitchen is used — every 3, 6 or 12 months under BESA's guidance.

Question 3

What should a TR19 certificate contain?

Accepted Answer

Pre and post-clean grease depth readings, a clear statement of what was and was not cleaned, photographs, the areas that could not be accessed, the technician's qualifications, and a recommended next clean date. A certificate with no measurements and no scope statement evidences very little.

Question 4

How much does a TR19 certificate cost?

Accepted Answer

The certificate is issued as part of the clean rather than bought separately, so cost depends on system size, access and grease loading. A single-canopy kitchen with no ductwork is at the lower end; a multi-canopy system with a long duct run is considerably more.

Question 5

What is the difference between a full clean and a partial clean?

Accepted Answer

A full clean covers the entire system — canopy, filters, ductwork, fan and discharge point. A partial clean covers only what could be reached. Both can produce a certificate, so the scope statement matters more than the certificate itself.

Question 6

Can my insurance be affected if I do not have one?

Accepted Answer

It depends entirely on your policy wording. Where kitchen extract cleaning is a condition or endorsement, failing to meet it can affect how the insurer responds to a fire claim. Read the endorsement, or ask someone who can read it for you.