Schools and colleges have one big advantage when it comes to extract cleaning: holidays. With the kitchen closed for days or weeks at a time, cleaning can be planned without losing a single lunch service. But school kitchens still need cleaning to a proper standard, and the wider building has ventilation of its own. This guide explains what business managers, bursars and site teams need to know.
How often a school kitchen needs cleaning
BESA sets minimum cleaning intervals for kitchen extract systems by daily use: every 3 months for heavy use (12 to 16 hours a day), every 6 months for moderate use (6 to 12 hours) and every 12 months for light use (2 to 6 hours) (BESA). Many school kitchens cook for a few hours a day in term time, which often puts them in the light or moderate band.
These are minimums, though. A kitchen with lots of frying or a breakfast club and evening lettings will build up more grease. Grease thickness readings taken at each visit are the best guide. If readings are low, the interval can stay as it is. If they’re high, more frequent cleans are needed. See how often to clean a kitchen extract.
Planning around the school year
Most school kitchens are cleaned during holidays or half-terms. A few tips make it smoother:
- Book early. Holiday weeks are popular for site works, so plan the clean alongside other contractors.
- Confirm access. Site staff may need to open the building, disarm alarms and give roof access for the fan and discharge.
- Pair it with a deep clean. A holiday is a good time for a commercial kitchen deep clean as well.
- Test dampers at the same visit if the ductwork has fire dampers. BESA says these should be tested at least annually (BESA).
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.
Contract caterers and responsibility
Many schools use a contract caterer. The caterer may clean filters day to day, while the school or trust is responsible for the building’s extract system. Check the catering contract so it’s clear who books and pays for TR19 cleaning and who keeps the certificates. Whoever is the responsible person under the fire safety law needs to know the extract is being managed. Our guide to the responsible person explains the duty.
TR19 Air in classrooms
Kitchen extract isn’t the only system in a school. Classrooms, halls and science areas may have mechanical supply and extract ventilation or air handling units. TR19® Air covers the hygiene of these general systems, using risk-based inspection to decide when cleaning is needed (BESA). Dust and debris in ducts, dirty filters and standing water in AHU drain trays are the usual problems. See TR19 Air explained.
School technology and science rooms may also have local exhaust ventilation, such as dust extraction or fume cupboards, which has its own testing regime. See LEV testing explained.
Records for governors and inspectors
Governors, trusts and local authority property teams may ask to see evidence that fire risks are being managed. Keep each TR19 certificate, the photo report and any notes on inaccessible areas in the site’s maintenance log. Duct Doctor provides a TR19® certificate and a before-and-after photo report after every clean, and we cover schools and colleges across London and the South East. See our schools and colleges page.
Quick answers
Can the clean be done during term?
Yes, after lunch service or at weekends, but holidays are usually simplest.
Do we need a survey first?
Every job starts with a survey, from photos and details or a site visit, so the quote and plan are clear.
Is the caterer responsible for the extract?
It depends on the contract. Check who is named for extract cleaning and certificates.
Related services
- Kitchen extract cleaning
- Ventilation duct cleaning
- Air handling unit cleaning
- Commercial kitchen deep cleaning
More advice
- TR19 Air Explained: Ventilation Hygiene for Buildings
- How Often Should a Kitchen Extract Be Cleaned?
- LEV Testing Explained: Thorough Examination
- Pre-Clean Surveys: What to Expect
- 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.