Most kitchen extract ductwork is hidden. It runs above ceilings, through walls, up risers and across roof spaces. To clean the inside, the team needs a way in. That’s what access panels are for: small removable doors in the side of the duct. Without enough of them, parts of the system can’t be cleaned, and the grease stays there. This guide explains what access panels are, how many you need and what should happen when sections are out of reach.
What an access panel is
An access panel, sometimes called an access door, is an opening in the side of a duct fitted with a removable, tightly fitting cover. During a clean the cover comes off, the team cleans the duct either side of the opening and then refits it. On kitchen extract, panels need to be grease-tight so they don’t leak or drip when the system is running.
Why they’re needed
A TR19® Grease clean is meant to cover the whole system, from canopy to discharge. Cleaning tools only reach so far from each opening, especially around bends, dampers and fittings. If the openings are too far apart, sections in the middle are left untouched. Those hidden sections can hold heavy grease, which is fuel for a duct fire.
Access panels also allow grease thickness readings to be taken at points along the duct, so you know what’s really inside. See grease thickness testing explained.
Where panels should go
BESA says that “TR19® emphasises the need for comprehensive access throughout the duct system”, and that previously inaccessible areas should be made reachable by installing access panels at appropriate intervals (BESA). The aim is that every part of the duct can be inspected and cleaned. In practice, panels are usually needed:
- at intervals along straight runs
- at or near bends and changes of direction
- next to fire dampers, so they can be inspected, cleaned and tested
- either side of in-line items such as attenuators or fans
- at the base and up the length of vertical risers
Every system is different, so the right positions come from a survey of your ductwork. Panels also need to be reachable in practice. A panel hidden behind a fixed ceiling with no hatch is little better than no panel at all.
Need it done? Duct Doctor cleans and tests kitchen extract and ventilation systems across London and the South East, with a certificate and photo report after every clean. Get a fixed quote.
Fire-rated panels
Some ducts run through protected shafts or are wrapped in fire-resisting material. Where a panel is fitted into a fire-rated duct or enclosure, it needs to maintain that fire protection, so a suitable fire-rated panel or detail is used. Your fire risk assessor or building’s fire strategy may say where this applies. If in doubt, ask before any new openings are made.
Recording inaccessible sections
If a section of duct can’t be reached, it must be recorded on the post-clean report, showing where it is and why it couldn’t be cleaned. It shouldn’t simply be left off. An honest record tells you, your insurer and your fire risk assessor exactly where the gaps are.
The fix is usually to fit extra panels. Duct Doctor offers access panel installation, often during the same visit or at the next clean, so those sections can be cleaned and certified. A pre-clean survey is a good time to spot where they’re needed.
Looking after existing panels
- Keep panels clear of stored items, cables and fixed ceiling tiles.
- Don’t paint over the fixings or box panels in during refurbishments.
- Report any panel that drips grease, as its gasket may need replacing.
- Mark ceiling hatches below panels, so they can be found again.
Quick answers
How many access panels does my duct need?
It depends on its length, bends and fittings. A survey shows where access is missing.
Can panels be fitted to an existing duct?
Yes. Panels are routinely added to existing ductwork.
Will a new panel leak?
A properly fitted panel with a good gasket is grease-tight. Leaks usually mean a damaged gasket or loose fixing.
Related services
More advice
- Canopy-Only Cleaning vs a Full TR19 Clean
- Pre-Clean Surveys: What to Expect
- TR19 Certificates: What They Should Show
- Kitchen Extract Insurance: What Insurers Want to See
- All advice
This guide is general information. It isn’t legal or insurance advice: check your own policy wording and lease, and speak to a qualified adviser about your fire risk assessment.