Air Conditioning Duct Work Cleaning – Rats in Ductwork

How To Tackle Rats In Your Duct Work

From pollen to mites, mould, and household dust, all sorts of nasties can be lurking in your duct work…including rats and mice. If you have rats you might have already heard the patter of tiny feet, but as you get preoccupied with day-to-day activities this may well go unnoticed until a foul smell emerges from your ceiling. Regular air conditioning duct work cleaning, however, will ensure that your business premises stays in pristine condition – even the areas not visible to staff or customers.

Duct work cleaning is so vital because unclean duct work will impinge on the health of staff and customers. As unclean air circulates through your business, it can aggravate existing problems such as asthma and allergies, which has a knock on affect through staff sickness and absenteeism. According to NHS statistics, as many as 5.4 million people in the UK receive treatment for breathing problems or asthma. Research shows that air quality inside homes and buildings have higher levels of certain pollutants in comparison to outside air. Since we spend the majority of our working day – and nights – indoors this can worsen the problem.

So, to keep your staff healthy and happy, it’s important to prioritise air conditioning duct work cleaning and not to leave it on the back burner. Here we take a look at what you can do to solve the problem of rats in the duct work.

Why Rats Get into the Duct Work

Rats and mice are attracted to duct work as it creates the ideal conditions for survival. Duct work is not only colder in summer and warmer in winter, but it also keeps rodents safe from predators and, of course, rats like to inhabit places that are close to where humans live as it means easy access to food.

Why it is a Problem

Rats in your air conditioning can cause a number of problems: firstly they may chew holes in your duct work making your air conditioning less efficient, secondly there are a number of health problems associated with rats. For a start, rat faeces are toxic, and the excrement can attract other rats to inhabit the area, thus escalating the problem; also, if there is a dead rat in your duct work, not only is the smell hard to tolerate, but the carcass will attract flies which creates further health and safety issues. Thirdly, rats can urinate up to three gallons a year, and breathing in rat urine can put your staff or customers at risk of contracting diseases such as Hantavirus, which is deadly to humans.

How to Tackle it

There are several ways to tackle rats in your duct work. One is by organising regular duct work cleaning from a reputable company such as Ingot Services. During the cleaning process they will check for holes in the duct work to ensure it is in full working order. Regular duct work cleaning will improve the air quality in your building, ensure your duct system runs at a more comfortable level. It saves money in the long run as you won’t have to carry out major repairs.  However, if your building frequently attracts rats or mice, it is also time to think about calling in the pest control services who will tackle the problem at source.

Over the years Ingot Services has seen a number of incidents at first hand where rats and mice have chewed holes in the ductwork and generally created havoc. Although it is tempting to tackle the problem yourself, a proper cleanup is essential and is best tackled by the experts. 

Call Ingot Services for a free quotation on 0800 731 7892.

Duct Work Cleaning – Commercial Kitchen Cleaning in Peak Summer

Don't Neglect Kitchen and Duct Work Cleaning During Peak Summer Season

Duct work cleaning and hygiene in commercial kitchens is important for customer safety – and the reputation of your business – all year round. But for many food businesses, summer is the busiest time of the year, as well as being the hottest, making maintaining hygiene levels a bigger challenge than normal. 

Many restaurants and food outlets experience a summer surge in business for a number of reasons, and summer 2014 is no exception:

•  Restaurants, cafes and takeaways located in popular tourist locations will usually have a summer season and some will even close over the winter.
• As well as serving the local population, there is usually an influx of tourists to many UK cities and attractions.
• The school holidays – combined with an increase in families taking holidays at home in the UK – means that there are more people out and about during the day, looking for places to eat.
• The World Cup and Commonwealth Games, both taking place this summer, mean more people opting for takeaways or combining watching football on a big screen with a pub meal.
• The economic upturn is encouraging people to eat out more often, even if it's only a high street takeaway.
• Finally, this summer is already delivering far better weather than last year, and many people are keen to make the most of it, encouraging them to take advantage of longer summer evenings to socialise with friends and eat out more often.

But while food businesses relish the prospect of a summer boom, maintaining hygiene at this time of year is more challenging for a number of reasons:

• Higher use of kitchens means waste, dirt and grease build up more quickly – perhaps faster than daily cleaning can cope with.
• Kitchen staff are under extra pressure to deliver more meals to more customers, leaving them less time than usual to carry out vital daily cleaning.
• Summer is a time when staff are more likely to take their holidays, and when it is most likely that the business takes on temporary staff – which means that cleaning standards can easily slip.
• Higher ambient temperatures means food can go off more quickly and any bacteria present on surfaces can multiply to dangerous levels in a very short time.
• Higher temperatures also means that food smells are stronger and can attract unwanted pests from much further afield.
• Higher temperatures, even at night, within duct work means that any bacteria or mould present will breed faster; and, contaminated air is more likely to get back into the main kitchen (especially when the ventilation is turned off overnight), causing invisible but potentially serious hygiene problems.
• Insects and bugs of all kinds are in peak breeding season and looking for easy food sources for their eggs and larvae. This means there is an increased chance of infestations which simply adds to the hygiene problem as well as attracting unwanted attention from customers and hygiene inspectors.

Our advice:

These extra summer hygiene challenges can be easily minimised and managed with a strong daily cleaning regime, combined with extra help from a professional cleaning company. We recommend:

• Carrying out thorough duct work and kitchen extract cleaning at the start and end of the summer season. This is especially important for restaurants and takeaways with a high output of fried goods.
• Minimising the build up of hygiene problems in the rest of the kitchen with regular commercial kitchen cleaning – at least pre-season and end of season. This should include areas inaccessible to daily cleaning such as behind and under cooking and preparation units – even small amounts of food left in these spaces can attract insects, mice and so on.
• Minimising the impact on your business by choosing contractors willing to carry out cleaning at times to suit your opening hours. Ingot Services can arrange to clean overnight or at other times to minimise disruption to your business. If in doubt about the state of your duct work or other inaccessible places within the kitchen, get an inspection from a professional kitchen and ductwork cleaning contractor.

Call Ingot Services to arrange a visit on 0800 731 7892.

Duct Work Cleaning: How Often Should Your Kitchen Extracts Be Cleaned?

Is Duct Work Cleaning Every 2 Years Enough?

As a general rule, the minimum requirement for duct work cleaning is every 2 years, but for many businesses a more frequent schedule is vital. As a business owner, you have a duty to ensure that extract cleaning is carried out as often as necessary to keep air quality to acceptable levels. How quickly ducts and filters need cleaning will vary, depending on the type of use and type of occupants. 

The Law

Current legislation states that duct work cleaning must be carried out at least every 2 years for general systems, such as air conditioning for offices. However, there is a more frequent requirement for yearly cleaning of kitchen extracts and duct work. Although "every 2 years" or "every 1 year" is often regarded as the guideline, the law actually says each premises must be assessed on its own requirements. That means you need to call on professional expertise to get the frequency of industrial extraction cleaning right.

Under fire regulations, as well as those covering health and safety at work, the manager of any workplace must take action to eradicate any risks or keep them to a minimum. These rules make it a requirement to check kitchen extract systems in order to find any possible fire dangers, and act to remove them by ensuring any grease build-up is regularly cleared.  

Reasons You Might Need More Frequent Duct Work Cleaning

If you work in an establishment which has high levels of airborne dust or grease, it is likely your duct work will need to be cleaned far more frequently than the legal minimums. This especially applies to kitchens where equipment such as deep fat fryers, grills, wood or charcoal burners is used.

According to expert duct cleaners, in some hamburger restaurants using this kind of equipment, especially those open round the clock, duct work cleaning may be needed as often as monthly. For some other fast food outlets, the suggested frequency is around every two months, while a 90-day regime may be appropriate for most restaurants and works canteens. In some smaller restaurants, six-monthly kitchen extract cleaning is suitable, but you should get expert advice to decide on the optimum schedule for your particular business. 

Other types of business where frequent industrial extraction cleaning is necessary include manufacturing works, such as printworks and those handling paper or textiles. Workplaces close to an external source of pollution, such as motorways, factories or chimneys, are also likely to require duct work cleaning at shorter intervals than the statutory norm. In these types of premises, where there is heavy use, of up to 16 hours a day, the typical cleaning schedule should be every three months. When premises are in use for between 6 and 12 hours, that may come down to six monthly. 

Greater frequency of extract cleaning is also advised in any establishment with vulnerable occupants, such as kitchens serving schools, care homes and hospices. Ingot has carried out air duct cleaning for a care home group in East Anglia for the last five years, and liaises with facility managers at each site in the group to ensure  cleaning is carried out at a convenient time. 

How Can I Tell What Frequency is Right For Me?

Duct cleaning contractor Ingot can inspect your duct work and give you advice based on the last cleaning date and the current level of build up. We will also take into account factors such as the level of usage and the environment.

If you are unsure over the best schedule, the way forward is to take advice from a professional cleaning company. This will help to protect you under legislation and will also ensure that your duct work will always be kept to an acceptable standard of cleanliness.

Duct Work Cleaning – Follow the link to get in touch.

Ductwork Cleaning – Commercial Cleaning Contractors – Germs in Your Air Conditioning

Ductwork Cleaning – Ingot Services puts the spotlight on germs that can be harboured in your air conditioning duct work.

Germs, Bugs and Other Nasties that Can Thrive in Your Air Conditioning Ductwork

Whether you run an office based organisation or are in the hospitality trade, it is vital to the health and safety of your staff and customers that you organise regular professional ductwork cleaning. 

Air conditioning can harbour all sorts of germs, bugs and contaminants; so if cleaning and maintenance work is overlooked, this can create an unhealthy work environment and contribute to staff sicknesses and absences. 

Some employers put ductwork cleaning on the back-burner because they are worried about cost and don’t see it as a priority, but professional duct cleaning is essential for your organisation. As well as being important for the health of your employees, it also saves money in the long run as it prevents lost hours from staff off sick, so will help your business run more efficiently. 

Here are three contaminants that can be harboured in unclean air conditioning ductwork:

Mould and Fungi

Mould and fungi thrive in areas of warmth and high humidity and can be found in parts of the air conditioning duct work, such as the internal insulation, the coils, and in the air conditioning filters. Their spores are carried through the air, so mould and fungi will multiply if there are any leaks in the system. 

These contaminants can be detrimental to health as moulds produce mycotoxins, which are toxic to humans, and can cause breathing difficulties, allergic reactions, fatigue, mild fever or headaches in some people. 

To minimise the risks, it is vital to organise the services of professional commercial cleaners, such as Ingot, who will not only clean your air conditioning duct work, but also inspect it for leaks. 

Dust Mites

The existence of dust mites in a home or business isn’t down to the air conditioning system alone – as dust mites can be found everywhere such as in upholstery, carpets, and clothing – but having a thorough clean-out will help. 

Although dust mites are too tiny to be seen with the naked eye, the chemicals in their droppings can trigger allergies and asthma. 

So, the more dust there is in your air conditioning system, the bigger  the problem. Maintaining your system, and keeping the ducts clean, will help control the population and prevent dust mite excrement re-circulating throughout your business.

Germs and Bacteria

An alarming recent study in China showed 75 per cent of the air conditioning units tested had filters that contained the bacteria that caused Legionnaire’s disease, a form of pneumonia that can be fatal. 

A separate study, led by the European Respiratory Society in 1997, revealed that those working in air conditioned buildings were found to be two and a half times more likely to have breathing difficulties, than those who didn’t. 

It is important to prevent this by regular professional duct cleaning – as germs and bacteria trapped in dirty air filters will just be circulated around your office building, posing a health threat to staff and visitors. 

About Ingot Services

Ingot provides a full, thorough, and competitively priced ductwork cleaning service which also includes inspections and filter cleans. To find out more and to obtain a free quote, contact Ingot on 0800 731 7892.

Duct Work Cleaning: Ingot Services Gives Health and Safety Advice

Ten Ways to Improve the Health and Safety of Your Commercial Kitchen

Health and safety issues are vital in all workplaces, but there are special rules governing commercial kitchens. Duct work cleaning specialists Ingot Services have put together 10 tips to help ensure your kitchen meets the highest standards of hygiene and safety.

Assess Risks – Carrying out a risk assessment is a legal requirement, but it is also the vital first step in ensuring that the workplace is as safe as possible.

Training – Ensure that staff are fully trained in dealing with all the hazards in the workplace, including any aspects highlighted by the risk assessment. Training must constantly be adapted to any changes in equipment or kitchen layout, as well as any updates in the law. 

Maintaining Equipment – It's estimated that around 65% of accidents in catering are related to maintenance. This emphasises just how important proper upkeep of equipment is, especially in the case of gas and electrical appliances, where there are strict regulations to follow. Be careful during maintenance, as there can be a risk of accidents while this work is being done.

Cleaning Regime – Commercial kitchen cleaning is a vital daily regime, and essential for the health of staff and customers alike. However, the strong chemicals used for cleaning in a commercial kitchen pose hazards, and it is important to use all these substances correctly. Make sure floors are not left wet after cleaning, as many accidents are caused by slippery surfaces.

Fire Safety – All cooking equipment must be correctly installed and operated, including deep fat fryers which can pose particular hazards. Duct work cleaning is also part of fire prevention, as grease in HVAC systems can cause a blaze. You also need to ensure you have appropriate fire extinguishers, a fire blanket and smoke detectors. Sensitive detectors are now available which will not be set off by normal cooking.

Handling Equipment Correctly – Kitchen staff face many hazards during their working day, from chemicals and hot ovens to machinery. Accidents from knives are especially common, so it is vital that staff are properly trained in using and sharpening them. 

Heavy Lifting – Some kitchen equipment is heavy, and injuries can easily be caused by lifting or pulling items. It is important to be careful to avoid staff hurting their backs, and you could consider actions such as using trolleys where possible. 

Storage – Equipment, chemicals and food must all be stored safely and any flammable substances must be kept away from sources of heat. Cleaning chemicals should be kept in their original containers where possible, while knives need to be stored suitably and never left lying on surfaces.

Wear the Right Clothing – Covering or tying back hair in the kitchen isn't just important for hygiene, but also to prevent hair getting caught in machinery or posing a fire hazard. Staff should also wear the right protective clothing when handling dangerous substances.

Ventilation – One of the most vital health and safety measures is to carry out regular duct work cleaning. This will ensure that there is no build-up of dirt and grease which could pose a fire hazard and create hygiene risks. To comply with the law, this work must be done regularly and by professionals. Ingot Services are fully accredited HVAC specialists who can help you ensure that your ventilation system is clean and safe and complies with all relevant regulations.

Duct Work Cleaning  – click here for details about our service.

Duct Work Cleaning: Advice from Ingot Services on Keeping HVAC Systems Clean

Flu Season: The Importance of Clean Ventilation Systems

As the flu season arrives, it is essential to be meticulous about hygiene in order to avoid spreading germs, and duct work cleaning is an aspect of this that must not be forgotten.

Every winter, many of us have flu jabs at the start of the season. These are provided on the NHS for older people and those who suffer from various health conditions. Small children are now also being offered a routine immunisation via a nasal spray. In addition, some employers provide injections for their workforce and it is possible to have an injection privately at a chemist's. 

There are also annual advertising campaigns advising people to be careful about hygiene, for instance by washing hands frequently and throwing away tissues rather than leaving them lying around. Recent outbreaks of swine flu have raised awareness of how vital these measures are and there is an increased knowledge that surfaces can harbour germs and pass them on to other people. 

To minimise this risk, sanitiser gels are used in many workplaces, especially in hospitals and health clinics, but also in offices and factories. Some people even carry a bottle of gel around for extra reassurance. Wrapping up warmly, eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, and giving up smoking are additional ways to boost health in the flu season.

Workplace Hygiene to Guard Against Disease

At the same time as emphasising personal health and hygiene, it is also important to ensure the workplace itself is spotlessly clean and that germs and bacteria are not being spread around. Daily cleaning routines need to be carried out carefully and, in premises such as commercial kitchens, regular deep cleaning is also vital. Allowing any build-up of grease can all too easily let bacteria breed. 

Installing ventilation systems will boost to health by raising the air quality in a workplace. However, it is essential to realise that, if HVAC systems are not maintained properly, they can carry cold and flu viruses and spread them to other people. More serious illnesses, such as superbugs, can also be spread via ventilation pipework.

Another problem is that if dust and dirt are allowed to build up in ductwork systems, these can also lead to allergy symptoms and sinus or respiratory problems, which can make it harder to fight off colds and other infections, including flu. This means that duct work cleaning is vital to remove the risks of spreading dirt and illness. It is also important this is done regularly and professionally to avoid any build-up of debris and maintain a high standard of cleanliness. There is a legal requirement for all HVAC systems to be cleaned every two years, but in some types of building this needs to be done more often, depending on the type of business and the level of use.

About Ingot Services

If you want your ventilation system cleaned as the flu season approaches, Ingot Services are experts in duct work cleaning and provide a professional and reliable service to customers in Suffolk and across the UK. We will advise you on drawing up a schedule for cleaning your HVAC system regularly, clear filters in between full cleans, and provide you with the paperwork you need for your records.

Duct Work Cleaning  – click here to find out more.

Ductwork Cleaning - Ensuring Fire Safety in the Workplace

Ensuring Fire Safety in the Workplace and the Importance of Ductwork Cleaning

It is the responsibility of every employer to ensure fire safety in the workplace, and ductwork cleaning experts Ingot Services have put together some advice on making sure you safeguard your staff and customers from fire hazards.

Most small and medium-sized businesses, including offices, shops, restaurants, clubs and pubs, are covered by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and need to comply with its requirements. As an employer, you are required to carry out a fire risk assessment and need to consider the needs of everybody who visits the premises, including customers and any visitors as well as your workforce.

Undertaking the initial assessment includes identifying any possible fire hazards, such as cooking equipment, ventilation systems and any areas where waste, such as paper or food, is collected for disposal. You also need to identify any individuals who may be at particular risk, whether because of their job, as in the case of kitchen staff, or because they are especially vulnerable – for instance, if your business has elderly or disabled customers who might take longer to get out of the building. 

After working out what the risks are, the next step is to reduce or remove the risks wherever possible, for instance by ensuring that flammable items are not stored near to heat sources. Grease build-up in ventilation systems is another possible fire hazard which you need to guard against. Ductwork cleaning specialists Ingot offer a professional service to ensure that your HVAC system is kept clean and safe, as well as keeping proper records which will ensure that you meet all legal requirements in this area. Kitchen extract cleaning will be needed more frequently in some premises, such as restaurants or canteens, and we can advise on how often it should be carried out in your particular business or organisation.

Fire precautions will vary depending on your type of business and how the building is laid out, but in every case it is vital that you have a suitable alarm system in place to alert people if a blaze does start. Other essential steps are installing fire extinguishers – you will normally need a minimum of one on each floor, and may require more depending on the size of your premises – and working out safe routes for people to leave the building by if and when the alarm does sound. Staff must also be informed about the arrangements and trained in how to react in the event of a fire.

Once you have drawn up a fire risk assessment, it will need to be reviewed at regular intervals and also if there are any alterations to your building or changes to the way your business operates, such as a new shift pattern. You can keep up to date with the latest legal requirements by visiting the Government website on fire safety in the workplace. Local fire and rescue authorities have the responsibility for inspecting premises to check that requirements are being met. 

About Ingot Services

Ingot Services is HVAC registered and specialises in professional ductwork cleaning and commercial kitchen cleaning. We can provide you with a top quality service putting health and safety first in everything, and advising you on how to meet all legal requirements. 

Ductwork Cleaning  – contact Ingot now for more details.

Advice on Food Standards Agency Hygiene Ratings

Food Standards Agency Hygiene Ratings – Duct Work Cleaning Company Ingot Services Explains What They Mean For Your Business

Duct work cleaning specialists Ingot are keen to advise and support customers in all aspects of their business. We know that Food Standards Agency hygiene ratings are a particular concern for catering businesses and food retailers, especially as the ratings are now shown on the door. This means customers may decide whether or not to eat at a restaurant or buy takeaway food on the basis of the rating shown.

The Food Hygiene Ratings Scheme (FRHS) scores are decided by food safety officers visiting your premises, who carry out a series of checks including looking at how hygienically food is handled at all stages, from preparation through to serving and storage. They also assess the building's structure and condition, including everything from its layout to your regular cleaning regime, and how well your business keeps records on its actions to ensure food safety.

Checks on the building's condition include an examination of the ventilation system and its cleanliness. It is therefore vital to carry out regular duct work cleaning and to employ a specialist contractor such as Ingot, who will ensure the ventilation system meets top standards and keep proper records to satisfy the official requirements.

Once your business has been assessed, it will be given a food hygiene rating. The top rating available is 5, or “very good”, meaning that you have achieved high standards across the board, and this is the rating all catering businesses should be determined to gain and maintain. The lower ratings range from 4, or “good”, meaning you are working on the right lines but need to take action in some areas, right down to 0, or “urgent improvement necessary”. 

If you do not receive the top rating of 5, the food safety officer who has carried out the inspection should explain why, pinpointing any problems which have been noticed and suggesting what you can do to improve. This could include making repairs to your building, improving your kitchen extract cleaning arrangements or ensuring that staff follow more stringent hygiene procedures when working with food. 

The local authority will then carry out further checks to ensure that the improvements are carried out. Normally inspections are carried out at intervals ranging between six months to two years, depending on the type of business, but if you have been given a low rating and then make immediate improvements you can ask for a repeat inspection to be carried out more quickly, so that your rating can be raised as soon as possible.

Businesses are encouraged to display their hygiene ratings on the doors of the premises and this will attract customers if the sticker shows a top rating of 5, but may put them off if a lower rating is shown. They could also be put off if they don't see any rating displayed, wondering why this is and perhaps assuming you have a low score that you don't want known. Bear in mind that it is also possible for prospective customers to check out your rating online, via the Scores on the Doors website, before deciding to pay a visit. 

Businesses need to keep up to date with the latest rules on food standards and you can do this by regularly visiting the official Government website to check if any regulations have been updated.

About Ingot Services

When you are seeking professional duct work cleaning specialists to ensure the highest standards, Ingot Services are the people to call. We have over 25 years experience and keep full records as well as issuing you with certificates and advising you on the best cleaning schedule for your ventilation system.

Click to contact Ingot Services. 

Hygiene in Your HVAC – How Duct Work Cleaning Can Help

The Next Generation of Superbugs and What You Need To Know – Advice and Guidance from Duct Work Cleaning Company Ingot Services

The danger of superbugs is always a concern when it comes to heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), so it is vital to carry out regular duct work cleaning, which is a good way of helping to keep them in check.

The current superbugs which most people have heard of are MRSA and C Diff, both of which can have devastating effects, especially in a healthcare environment. The bacteria causing MRSA are carried by many people, often in the nose or throat. Hospital and nursing home patients are at particular risk of MRSA infections because they often tend to be elderly and have weakened immune systems. There is a risk of the bacteria getting into the body through a wound or after surgery. MRSA usually starts as a skin infection but can quickly spread to other organs and cause severe illness or even death.

C Diff is another bacterial infection which also spreads quickly in hospitals, causing diarrhoea and high fever. Like MRSA, it can also lead to serious illness and death, again with the elderly being most at risk. There have been many cases of hospital wards being closed because of outbreaks of these superbugs, and the NHS has taken action to combat them, with a high level of success, for instance through deep cleaning and placing hand gels on wards for visitors to use before going in so that they avoid any risk of infecting patients.

However, while a lot of work is being done to combat MRSA and C Diff, another threat is on the horizon. A new generation of superbugs is anticipated which are resistant to our current antibiotics and could wreak havoc on the healthcare sector’s ability to provide even minor surgery. Among these is the new resistant strain of Klebsiella, an infection which can cause pneumonia as well as other illnesses such as urinary tract infections and septicaemia. New drug-resistant strains of TB and E Coli are also causing increasing concern among health professionals.

England's Chief Medical Officer, Dame Sally Davies, has called upon politicians to sit up and take notice of antimicrobial resistant bacteria and has also warned the healthcare sector to take action now. She has made 17 recommendations, including 

• A call to put the risk of these infections on the national risk register and take the problem seriously at an international level, including at G8 and the World Health Organisation
• Collection of better surveillance data across the NHS and worldwide to monitor the situation as it develops
• More work to be carried out between the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries to preserve existing drugs and to develop new antibiotics 
• To build on the success of the NHS in cutting MRSA rates, which have fallen by 80 per cent since the 2003 peak, as a result of better hygiene measures
• Making sure that infection control measures are fully applied not just in hospitals, but also in nursing homes and other care settings in the community 

Hygiene in Your HVAC – How Duct Work Cleaning Can Help

Duct work cleaning for your HVAC equipment is a vital tool which can lessen the chances of superbugs taking hold in any situation and, especially with healthcare organisations, this type of cleaning is essential to ensure a safe environment for patients who are particularly susceptible to infections.

Any HVAC which doesn’t have regular duct work cleaning carried out can be a breeding ground for superbugs, spreading them from one patient to another, so it is important not to forget about this preventative measure. If they go uncleaned, ventilation ducts will see a build-up of debris and dust which then grow bacteria, and this can easily be carried into the building, spreading illness rather than fresh and clean air, especially if the building is also warm and humid. 

There is a legal requirement for ventilation ducts to be cleaned at least every two years in order to maintain a safe and clean atmosphere, but some will need cleaning to be carried out more frequently depending on factors such as how heavily the premises are used and the level of pollution, so, if in doubt, the best move is to seek professional advice from a firm such as Ingot Services.

Ingot Services – Professional Duct Work Cleaning Specialists

Ingot Services have more than 25 years of experience and are fully registered to carry out duct work cleaning throughout the UK to meet regulatory requirements. We will issue you with a certificate for your records after carrying out cleaning and will also advise you on the best cleaning schedule for your building's HVAC system. We can also advise on filter cleaning in between full duct cleaning and carry out regular inspections on your behalf.

Duct Work Cleaning Click on the link to get in touch with Ingot Services.

Making Health and Safety Positive – Duct Work Cleaning Professionals Ingot Services Share Their Secrets

At Ingot Services, as well as offering guidance on duct work cleaning issues, we are often asked for our advice on health and safety in the workplace. 

When it comes to workplace health and safety , the law is clear, and laid out mainly in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The extent of your duties will depend very much on your business and the aspects within it, for instance, regular duct work cleaning is a requirement by law if you have a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system within your workplace. But as a minimum, every employer has a duty of care to ensure that the workplace is safe and that safe working practices are adhered to. 

Negative associations with health and safety policies can hinder not only compliance with regulations, but can also endanger lives. So how can managers make sure that their employees buy into health and safety policies?

A Positive Health and Safety Culture

The culture of an organisation reflects how it operates – how, where, who, when and why things are done. The health and safety culture within an organisation does the same, describing how health and safety is managed, where it applies, who is responsible, when it applies and why policies are in place. Within the HSE document 'HSG65 – Successful Health and Safety Management' health and safety culture is defined as “the product of individual and group values, attitudes, perceptions, competencies and patterns of behaviour that determine the commitment to, and the style and proficiency of, an organisation's health and safety management”. As with the productivity and success of business, to successfully implement health and safety policy, the culture has to be a positive one, and the key to this is communication.

Assessing Your Health and Safety Culture

Reviewing the culture of health and safety within your organisation, there are key aspects that can highlight either a positive or a poor culture.  These include:

• Are health and safety policies well communicated and understood?
• Is it clear how people should behave?
• Are health and safety systems complied with?
• Is management all on board?
• Is safety put above cost and productivity?
• Are health and safety systems realistic?
• Is the workforce involved in all aspects of health and safety?
• Are opportunities for improvement sought and implemented?

Once all of these areas have been evaluated, if a poor health and safety culture is discovered, positive moves to change this should be planned and implemented. Culture per se cannot be altered directly, instead, aspects relating to it, such as management backing and communication need to be enhanced. When it comes to gaining buy in for any culture, employee engagement is key and positive associations with the vision and values of the company will encourage buy in of all policies.

Reacting Positively To Health and Safety – Duct Work Cleaning Professionals Ingot Services

At Ingot Services, with duct work cleaning being a key part of adhering to health and safety law, health and safety is a key aspect of our business, and making sure that we have buy in from the whole team is essential. Putting health and safety at the fore, we safeguard our employees by ensuring that they are well trained to all of the latest standards, and our policies are communicated effectively. With buy in from the top down, a positive attitude to health and safety and the procedures and safeguards we have in place is clear.

Added to this, we ensure our duct work cleaning and other services comply with health and safety legislation – we are HVAC registered, as well as being a member of the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme and a Safe Contractor Registered company.

Duct Work Cleaning -  Find out more about our duct cleaning services

Motivating Your Employees To Pay Heed To Health and Safety – Advice and Guidance from Duct Work Cleaning Company Ingot Services

Duct work cleaning company Ingot Services take health and safety very seriously, both in our own business and when visiting customers. The fact that heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems attract such stringent regulations when it comes to duct work cleaning highlights the importance of health and safety in this area, and ensuring your employees pay attention to the health and safety policies your business puts in place is vital. Often asked during the course of our duct work cleaning services how to get employees engaged in health and safety, here we have put together some advice on this important business issue.

Responsibilities for Health and Safety at Work

By law, health and safety is the responsibility of everyone at work, and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 sets out many of the responsibilities that employers and employees must take charge of.

All employers, whatever the size of their business, have a duty of care to their employees and to the public to make sure that the workplaces that they provide are safe and that safe working practices are followed:

• Make the workplace safe
• Prevent risks to health
• Ensure that plant and machinery is safe to use
• Ensure safe working practices are set up and followed
• Make sure that all materials are handled, stored and used safely
• Provide adequate first aid facilities
• Tell you about any potential hazards from the work you do – chemicals and other substances used by the firm – and give you information, instructions, training and supervision as needed
• Set up emergency plans
• Make sure that ventilation, temperature, lighting, toilet, washing and rest facilities all meet health, safety and welfare requirements
• Check that the right work equipment is provided and is properly used and regularly maintained
• Prevent or control exposure to substances that may damage your health
• Take precautions against the risks caused by flammable or explosive hazards, electrical equipment, noise and radiation
• Avoid potentially dangerous work involving manual handling (and if it can't be avoided, take precautions to reduce the risk of injury)
• Provide health supervision as needed
• Provide protective clothing or equipment free of charge (if risks can't be removed or adequately controlled by any other means)
• Ensure that the right warning signs are provided and looked after
• Report certain accidents, injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences to either the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland or the local authority, depending on the type of business

As well as having rights to a safe and healthy working environment, employees also have the responsibility to take reasonable care with their own health and safety and also to cooperate with their employer, making sure that they have been given the right training, that they are wearing appropriate clothing and that they are not putting anyone else at risk.

Engaging Employees in Health and Safety

As an employer, when it comes to abiding by your duty of care, engaging your entire workforce in good health and safety practices can help ensure understanding and cooperation.  Every business is unique and making sure that policies work for your organisation is essential, but successful health and safety working practices will always include:

• Ensuring that management are all behind health and safety practices and that they abide by them themselves.

• Involving employees within the process – appointing health and safety representatives from within the business to champion good practice.

• Being visible in the processes and initiatives that are taking place and gaining feedback whenever appropriate.

• Offering suitable learning programmes on safe working practices generally, as well as specific training on the use of tools and equipment.

• Continually improving the processes you have put into place and openly seeking suggestions for improvements.

Health and Safety at Duct Work Cleaning Company Ingot Services

Offering professional duct work cleaning as well as commercial kitchen cleaning, from deep cleans through to equipment, at Ingot Services we are a HVAC registered company. Taking health and safety seriously, both to protect our own employees and our customers, Ingot Services is a member of the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme and is Safe Contractor Registered, and we incorporate good health and safety working practices into everything that we do. 

Duct Work Cleaning - Choose Ingot Services for quality duct work cleaning and more.

Your Duct Work Cleaning – The Importance of Choosing Professionals With The Right Accreditations

Duct work cleaning is an essential element of health and safety in the workplace and as such there is a strict set of legislation in place to help you manage it. In fact, in order to stay legal, and to keep your insurance company happy and your policy valid, workplace health and safety laws state that you will need to choose a professional duct work cleaning company with the right accreditations to carry out this work.

This ensures that your duct work cleaning is carried out using the correct tools and equipment and that specific standards are met to ensure the air that is circulated is safe, and that any potential blockages are cleared. The accreditations that your duct work cleaning company hold will assure you that they have the right levels of training to make your ventilation safe.

Accreditations To Look For

In the course of their duties Ingot Services have chosen the following three accreditations as a base for their work.  Of course, there are many others that companies may choose from, but the HVAC accreditation is key to ensuring you meet your requirements by law. 

• HVAC
  
  Managed by the Heating and Ventilation Contractors Association, there are around 1,500 HVAC accredited members in the UK. HVAC is the UK’s lead trade association and is the recognised accreditation for compliance with the law.
   
• Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme
  
  The CHAS provides assessment and accreditation to ensure compliance in acceptable levels of health and safety. Assessments are carried out annually offering you additional peace of mind that your chosen duct work cleaning company takes health and safety seriously, across the board.

• Safe Contractor Register
  
  With over 18,000 contractor members, the Safe Contractor Register is another health and safety accreditation scheme, with the purpose of ensuring that your chosen duct work cleaning company is competent in their field. 

When it comes to keeping to the letter of legal requirements, it isn’t just for your company and the law that you need to keep stringent records for. Your insurance company will probably also require legal compliance in order for your policy to remain valid, and in the case of an incident involving your duct work, such as fire or the spread of harmful bacteria, if you have not adhered to the legislation surrounding duct work cleaning, your insurance may not pay out.

At Ingot Services, we pride ourselves on our professional and customer friendly services. With health and safety at our core, for both our customers and our own company, we will provide you with the paperwork to prove your legal compliance, as well as keeping records and photographic evidence for you.

Choose Ingot Services – your professionally accredited HVAC duct work cleaning.

 

Is Going Out To Eat Going Out of Vogue? A Fast Food Recession Review from Duct Work Cleaning Company Ingot Services

Carrying out kitchen deep cleaning and duct work cleaning within commercial kitchens and talking with our customers, at Ingot Services we are in a prime position to see the results of changes taking place in the hospitality and food services industry, as well as the effects that the economy is having on catering businesses . 

A Change In Choice

While going out certainly isn’t going out of fashion – and in fact more people than ever seem to be taking advantage of a night off and having a sociable meal out – looking for cost effectiveness has become a fact in all aspects of life. Looking at value first and foremost, and expecting it across the menu, the recession has changed the way in which diners choose their restaurants, and therefore their dining experience too. 

This can be seen in the fact that the fast food industry has not been adversely affected by the recession and in fact, has seen something of a resurgence. Having previously been the ‘unhealthy option’ and therefore often shunned in favour of more expensive restaurants, the economic downturn has sent  many people back through their doors. 

Clawing back positive association, big brand names have also used the fact that the spotlight has turned once again to them during the recession, in their favour. Refreshing their identities, creating healthier menus and embracing corporate social responsibility and environmental issues, many more people now feel that fast food offers a safe and cost effective dining option for the family – a new reputation that may well see them retaining a more loyal customer base even once the economy has started to right itself.

Taking this all into consideration, value offers have also become much more common across the board, and we have seen many of our duct work cleaning customers  such as pubs and cafes cutting their prices to the bone in a bid to stay competitive, creating offers for free additional courses or unlimited fries.

Recession Proofing Advice From Our Customers

Many of our duct work cleaning customers across the board are recession proofing their own restaurants and eateries with a variety of offers and strategies, and their tips include:

Targeting

Entice your diners with relevant offers, such as pre-football lunch menus. You should have a packed house at lunchtime, plus the opportunity to engage and enhance loyalty for future dining.

Menu

Offer a set menu as well as a la carte – this will highlight the good value that the set menu offers the customer while also providing you with a financially manageable option.

Social Media

Jump on the social media and deal of the day ‘Groupon’ style websites bandwagons, which can fill your restaurant while allowing you to manage from a limited promotional menu offering. 

Loyalty Offers

Take some guidance from the coffee shops and try a loyalty scheme where diners get, for example, their 6th meal for free – everyone likes something for nothing.

Staff

Don’t cut corners by cutting costs on your staff – while customers want value, they still expect service, and your best staff are also your best salespeople!

Ingot Services – Deep Kitchen Cleaning,  Duct Work Cleaning and More

With our customers’ business interests at the heart of everything that we do, whether you need our duct work cleaning, deep kitchen cleaning, canopy, extract or equipment cleaning services, at Ingot Services we are fully accredited HVAC professionals, with a reputation for high quality work and excellent service. 

Duct Work Cleaning  - Find out more about the full range of professional cleaning services from  Ingot 

Reducing Restaurant Food Waste – Advice and Guidance from Duct Work Cleaning Company Ingot Services

As well as our duct work cleaning services, at Ingot Services we are keen to help our customers succeed in all aspects of their business. Talking with them, we know that food wastage is a big concern for many in the catering and hospitality industries, so we have put together this useful advice and guidance on reducing food wastage within your commercial kitchen and what it means to the environment.

Reducing Food Waste in the Hospitality and Food Service Industry

While for a number of years there have been different organisations set up to help reduce waste in business, reducing food waste is a relatively new topic. In fact, it was only in June 2012 that WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) launched their Hospitality and Food Service Agreement, setting targets for a 5% reduction in waste food and associated packaging , and a 70% increase in the amount of waste food and packaging that is recycled by 2015. However, many still feel that the infrastructure to support this is slow to be put into place.

This support includes the likes of AD (anaerobic digestion) facilities, which break down biodegradable matter such as food waste, releasing energy through fermentation that can be used as a renewable source (biogas), helping to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels too.  

Reducing Food Waste – Good For Your Bottom Line

Reducing food waste is not just good for the environment – research from WRAP suggests that around £720 million a year could be saved by the hospitality industry if avoidable food waste was stopped and unavoidable food waste was sent to AD facilities. Many customers are also now very aware of environmental issues and therefore interested in eating in restaurants that are more sustainable, and this can be seen by the rise of organisations such as the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) supported by leading industry figures such as Raymond Blanc.

Top Tips For Reducing Commercial Food Waste

Taking some time out from our duct work cleaning, we have put together these top tips on reducing commercial food waste:

Planning

• Plan your menus so that you can use all parts of the food item – for instance using chicken carcasses for soup stock
• Train your staff to create as little waste as possible when preparing food  – perhaps serving potatoes with skins on
• Try to order for delivery just when you need the food items to avoid spoilage

Plating

• Offer two different portion sizes – ample and generous – to suit differing appetites
• Make a note of customer eating habits and review your menu to suit
• Offer customers the option to take away their leftovers

Marketing

• Make your customers aware of your commitment to reducing food waste and encourage them to help
• Encourage your customers to tell you if there’s something they’d rather you didn’t put on their plate,  e.g. “I’ll have a salad but please don’t give me any tomatoes”

Waste

• Create a separate food waste bin which can be collected separately and taken for composting or AD
• If there is no provision to take away your food waste separately, consider creating your own on-site composting

Introducing Ingot Services – Duct Work Cleaning and a Whole Lot More

A duct work cleaning company with a passion for our customers’ welfare, at Ingot Services we place great emphasis on service. Working with commercial kitchen clients for over 25 years, offering duct work cleaning, kitchen deep cleaning and more, we have built a firm understanding of the commercial health and safety needs of kitchens within the food service industry.

Duct Work Cleaning (link) - Find out more about how the team of professionals at  Ingot Services can help your business.

Duct Work Cleaning - The Rules and Regulations Governing Commercial Kitchens

The food manufacturing and hospitality industry is highly governed by strict regulation and legislation through authorities like the Food Standards Agency (FSA), and industry watchdogs like the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Cleaning contractors who specialise in duct work cleaning are also represented through organisations like the B&ES (The Building and Engineering Services Association) previously known as the HVCA (The Heating and Ventilation Contractors Association) who rebranded on 1st March 2012.

These governing bodies have been set up to help independently safeguard industry workers and the general public against potential negligence. Commercial operators and contractors who service or clean kitchen machinery, in particular ventilation ducts, through duct work cleaning must also show they follow the health and safety protocols and procedures and have a solid understanding of it.

However, given this level of regulation, it is surprising to learn that up to 80% of commercial kitchens have never had their ventilation ducts cleaned. These ducts, if left uncleaned, become a potential breeding ground for some seriously nasty bacteria which in time can become airborne giving rise to potential health problems.

It is for this reason that there is strict legislation surrounding the cleaning of commercial kitchens. But if followed correctly, it leads to best business practice and a healthy environment in which staff can work and customers can dine in the knowledge that they are eating in a safe environment.

Whilst there is strict legislation there is in fact no specific law clearly stating how clean your duct work needs to be. However, cleaning companies that carry out deep commercial kitchen cleaning must follow or comply with the B&ES TR/19 standards as set out in their best practice guide. Any contractor who employees staff to carry out duct work cleaning must be trained in accordance with the B&ES green book training scheme, previously known as HVCA certification.

CHAS registered contractors such as Ingot Services have undergone the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme. This registration can only be awarded once a contractor has passed the B&ES inspection and assessment and is evidence that  they have the knowledge to comply with all relevant Health and Safety legislation.

A scheme such as CHAS goes a long way to help provide the hospitality and FMCG industry with the confidence that any contractor employed to carry out duct work cleaning in particular, has all the necessary training, qualifications and competence required by the regulations.

To find out more about how Ingot Services can help  ensure you fully meet all the rules and regulations governing commercial kitchens and in particular the health and safety around duct work cleaning call today on 0800 731 7892.