Ductwork cleaning is an essential element of your cleaning schedule. And while it doesn’t need doing daily, weekly, monthly or perhaps even yearly, your ductwork cleaning should not be overlooked or drawn out past its due date.
In fact, for businesses, ductwork cleaning carried out at least every two years by a professional ductwork cleaning company is a requirement by law, ensuring that risks of harmful airborne bacteria, as well as the more visible danger of fire, are kept to a minimum.
Ductwork Cleaning – For Life
All that said, ductwork cleaning can be a very easy thing to overlook. While the dust and dirt that accumulates around your business premises is mostly in clear view, the grime that builds up within your air ducts is not immediately visible. Choosing a reputable and professional ductwork cleaning company can help here too, as you will receive a reminder every time your ductwork cleaning is due – again helping you to protect the health and safety of your workforce and your business, as well as your reputation.
Five Good Reasons to Keep on Track with Ductwork Cleaning
While there are many reasons to keep your ductwork cleaning up to date, these are our top five:
1. Risk of harmful germs
As well as the minor viruses and common colds that may be passed around by air conditioning or heating systems, other types of bacteria that may be hosted within your ducts include pneumonia, legionella and kiebsiella, causing fever, weakness and flu like symptoms. In more sensitive environments, such as hospitals and care homes these, and even more serious superbugs like MRSA, can be a particularly dangerous hazard.
And spores from fungi, which outdoors are no cause for concern, can settle and grow within your ductwork, and when blown out could cause asthma attacks, wheeziness, itchy or watery eyes, breathlessness and a blocked nose, as well as the possibility of ear and lung infections.
All of these can easily be kept at bay with a regular ductwork cleaning plan.
2. Risk of fire
Fire is another huge risk when dust and dirt, grease and grime build up within your air ducts. A single spark can quickly ignite a whole building. There are many kitchen restaurant fires every year originating in ductwork and quickly spreading through the ductwork system – with devastating results not only for the restaurant itself, but for occupants of adjoining buildings, or even higher floors in a hotel or apartment block. All completely avoidable with regular ductwork cleaning.
3. Risk of invalid insurance
Going hand in hand with your legal obligation to have your ductwork cleaning carried out regularly, many insurance companies will stipulate that, without proof of this requirement having been fulfilled, your business insurance policy will be invalidated, especially in the event of fire.
This could leave you with a pile of bills for all of the damage, while not being compensated for loss of earnings during the time that your business is out of action.
When having your ductwork cleaning carried out by the professionals, you can be assured that all of your supporting ductwork cleaning paperwork will be in order should the worst happen.
4. Increased productivity
It is now recognised that keeping your ductwork cleaning up to date can help to minimise the effects of sick building syndrome. In their ongoing work into the effects of air quality on performance within the workplace, the International Centre for Indoor Environment & Energy at the Technical University of Denmark have reported that poor indoor air quality in buildings can decrease productivity, and cause visitors to express dissatisfaction. They report that the size of the effect on most aspects of office work performance appears to be as high as between 6 and 9%. They also state that it is usually more energy efficient to eliminate sources of pollution than to increase outdoor air supply rates.
And a healthier and happier workforce will be better engaged and more productive, potentially increasing your bottom line.
5. Cheaper bills
With energy costs on the rise almost constantly, it’s also important to your bottom line to make sure that appliances such as your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units are working as efficiently as possible. As dust builds up within your ducts, the system has to work harder to force the air through them.
With regular ductwork cleaning, you can be sure that the dust is kept to a minimum and that your HVAC system is giving its optimal performance.
Ductwork Cleaning from Ingot Services
At Ingot Services we are a fully qualified and trained ductwork cleaning company. Using specialist equipment, we will clean through your whole HVAC system, eliminating the dust and dirt that can play host to germs, cause fires, and limit the efficiency of your system. Issuing a certificate on completion, with us you can be sure that your ductwork cleaning has been done to the highest of standards, satisfying your legal obligations and keeping your insurance company happy.
Find out more about ductwork cleaning from Ingot Services or call to book a no obligation consultation today on 0800 731 7892.
Monday, 29 October 2012
Tuesday, 16 October 2012
Primary Risks of Kitchen Fires
There are number of causes of commercial kitchen fires, here are ten causes that you should take steps to avoid or minimise.
- Flames, sparks or hot gases from cooking can ignite combustible deposits inside extract ducts.
- Superheated oils leading to spontaneous ignition.
- Individual equipment not switched off, especially on cessation of business.
- Solid fuel cooking equipment such as barbecues.
- Cooking equipment, which is left unattended during operation.
- Thermostats not working properly, and the absence of a second high-level safety thermostat.
- Metal extract ducts are good conductors of heat and can ignite nearby building materials or litter.
- Gas torches used to brown some dishes.
- Cooking equipment, which is left unattended during operation.
- Combustible food debris trapped in the grease filter.
Friday, 12 October 2012
How to Avoid a Fire in Your Kitchen Extract Fan
The number of commercial kitchen fires started due to dirty extract systems has increased. So what can you do to reduce the likelihood of a fire starting on you premises. Here are somethings you should do to prevent a fire:
- Make sure all your ducted systems are as safe as possible.
- Instigate daily on site maintenance - cooker hoods and grease filters should be cleaned daily, the former by wiping and the later by washing. To prevent the build up of grease and other hazardous waste.
- Have your systems cleaned regularly by a specialised duct cleaning company. The frequency will depend on the level of usage for cooking equipment;
Usage Hours per day Cleaning frequency
Heavy 12-16 3 monthly
Moderate 6-12 6 monthly
Light 2-6 Annually
A reputable duct cleaning company will issue a completion certificate which your insurance company will need to see to ensure that you are insured for fire damage.
Monday, 8 October 2012
Abseiling and Duct Work Cleaning
Recently, the only way two of our operatives could get to clean a particular duct work system was by abseiling. Both guys has been a proper training course in order to do this.
Take a look - rather them than me!
Take a look - rather them than me!
Sunday, 30 September 2012
Regular Ductwork Cleaning Linked With Higher Workplace Productivity
Carrying out ductwork cleaning is an essential part of your regular cleaning regime. Although, while much of your cleaning can be done in house, with such an intricate network of pipework, and potential health risks, your ductwork cleaning should be done by a professional ductwork cleaning company in order to meet your legal obligations.
Who Should Carry Out Ductwork Cleaning?
According to workplace health and safety regulations building managers are required to ensure a good supply of clean air into the building, and to ensure that ventilation ductwork cleaning, as well as inspection and maintenance are carried out on a regular basis.
Furthermore, ductwork cleaning must be carried out by properly qualified heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) professionals who have the correct tools and cleaning materials for the job and who can ensure that the specific standards of cleanliness appropriate to the environment are met. Proper records must also be kept, including photographic evidence. And building owners or managers who fail to ensure that adequate ductwork cleaning takes place face prosecution.
While the intervals between ductwork cleaning vary from industry to industry, every two years is often recommended. But it can be a good idea to have your ductwork cleaning carried out more regularly than stipulated, especially if there are reports of people feeling generally unwell within your premises, or if your building’s occupants are especially vulnerable (e.g. hospitals, care homes or schools).
Ductwork Cleaning and a Happy Workforce
Keeping your ductwork cleaning up to date can help to minimise the effects of sick building syndrome, deter vermin from nesting in your ducts, and help keep airborne illnesses at bay. And a healthier workforce make for a happier workplace, helping to engage employees, making them more productive and potentially increasing your bottom line - a welcome outcome, especially in the current economic climate.
In fact the International Centre for Indoor Environment & Energy at the Technical University of Denmark are carrying out ongoing research into the effects of air quality on workplace performance. In one report they state that "It has now been shown beyond reasonable doubt that poor indoor air quality in buildings can decrease productivity, in addition to causing visitors to express dissatisfaction. The size of the effect on most aspects of office work performance appears to be as high as 6 to 9%, the higher value being obtained in field validation studies. It is usually more energy-efficient to eliminate sources of pollution than to increase outdoor air supply rates."
Professional Ductwork Cleaning from Ingot Services
As well as being a member of the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme and a Safe Contractor Registered firm, Ingot Services are fully qualified and HVAC registered. Meaning that we are the perfect people to carry out your ductwork cleaning.
With us you will join customers from all over the UK, and from the whole range of industries, enjoying our highest quality work and enviable customer service, as well as our guaranteed unbeatable prices.
To find out more about having your ductwork cleaning done by the professionals at Ingot Services, please call us on 0800 731 7892.
Who Should Carry Out Ductwork Cleaning?
According to workplace health and safety regulations building managers are required to ensure a good supply of clean air into the building, and to ensure that ventilation ductwork cleaning, as well as inspection and maintenance are carried out on a regular basis.
Furthermore, ductwork cleaning must be carried out by properly qualified heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) professionals who have the correct tools and cleaning materials for the job and who can ensure that the specific standards of cleanliness appropriate to the environment are met. Proper records must also be kept, including photographic evidence. And building owners or managers who fail to ensure that adequate ductwork cleaning takes place face prosecution.
While the intervals between ductwork cleaning vary from industry to industry, every two years is often recommended. But it can be a good idea to have your ductwork cleaning carried out more regularly than stipulated, especially if there are reports of people feeling generally unwell within your premises, or if your building’s occupants are especially vulnerable (e.g. hospitals, care homes or schools).
Ductwork Cleaning and a Happy Workforce
Keeping your ductwork cleaning up to date can help to minimise the effects of sick building syndrome, deter vermin from nesting in your ducts, and help keep airborne illnesses at bay. And a healthier workforce make for a happier workplace, helping to engage employees, making them more productive and potentially increasing your bottom line - a welcome outcome, especially in the current economic climate.
In fact the International Centre for Indoor Environment & Energy at the Technical University of Denmark are carrying out ongoing research into the effects of air quality on workplace performance. In one report they state that "It has now been shown beyond reasonable doubt that poor indoor air quality in buildings can decrease productivity, in addition to causing visitors to express dissatisfaction. The size of the effect on most aspects of office work performance appears to be as high as 6 to 9%, the higher value being obtained in field validation studies. It is usually more energy-efficient to eliminate sources of pollution than to increase outdoor air supply rates."
Professional Ductwork Cleaning from Ingot Services
As well as being a member of the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme and a Safe Contractor Registered firm, Ingot Services are fully qualified and HVAC registered. Meaning that we are the perfect people to carry out your ductwork cleaning.
With us you will join customers from all over the UK, and from the whole range of industries, enjoying our highest quality work and enviable customer service, as well as our guaranteed unbeatable prices.
To find out more about having your ductwork cleaning done by the professionals at Ingot Services, please call us on 0800 731 7892.
Thursday, 27 September 2012
Ductwork cleaning – Dishing the Dirt on Ductwork Disasters
Ductwork cleaning - it’s easy to imagine that this is a simple task that could be taken on by anyone, saving the expense of calling in the experts. But with a multitude of nooks, crevices, corners, rises and falls, not to mention the parts of the ductwork which are normally inaccessible, your ductwork cleaning really does need to be done by professionals with the know-how, the experience and the tools for the job.
And without regular reminders it can be easy to forget how important your ductwork cleaning really is - especially because you can’t actually see the dirt building up inside them. But forgetting your ductwork cleaning can prove to be a disaster - one that could easily be prevented by hiring a ductwork cleaning company and tasking them with a regular ductwork cleaning schedule.
Ductwork Cleaning - What Could Go Wrong Without It?
A haven for dust and grime, all manner of nasties are attracted to your ductwork including a variety of airborne bacteria and mould. This can contribute to sick building syndrome, as well as attracting vermin and posing a serious fire risk.
Bio-aerosols, Germs and Bacteria
With millions of fungi and pollen spores floating in the air all around us, it comes as little surprise that ducts provide the perfect sanctuary to settle and grow. Out and about these would cause us little issue, but as they are sucked into ventilation systems, they join a multitude of different bacteria, some potentially harmful, settling within the layers of dust that stick to the insides of your ductwork. Carried into our air supply, these same fungi spores can cause asthma attacks, wheeziness, itchy or watery eyes, breathlessness and a blocked nose, as well as the possibility of ear and lung infections.
As well as minor viruses such as the common cold, your ducts may also play host to bacteria such as pneumonia, legionella and kiebsiella, causing fever, weakness and flu like symptoms, or even death. In more sensitive environments, such as hospitals and care homes this can be a particularly dangerous hazard, with superbugs such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile (C difficile) a disaster in the making.
This is backed up by studies by the Environmental Protection Agency, which have found that the air inside buildings can be as much as 70 times more polluted than the air outside. And by following a regular ductwork cleaning regime, many of these dangers can be kept in check.
Vermin
Attracted to warm, as well as the relatively peaceful and undisturbed atmosphere within ductwork, rats and mice can be a problem that can quickly get out of hand. Especially as they breed almost continuously throughout the year. And cockroaches find the same places a haven for nesting.
Rats and mice are reported to spread over 35 diseases worldwide, including salmonella, toxoplasmosis, Weil’s disease, encephalitis and worms. These diseases can be spread to us through their faeces , urine and saliva, as well as through direct bites, or via ticks, mites or fleas who have fed on a rodent. Cockroaches are a similar public health risk, spreading food poisoning, dysentery and diarrhoea.
Regular ductwork cleaning will ensure there is less potential for nesting sites, and regular interruptions make a less attractive place for vermin to stay.
Sick Building Syndrome
While the precise causes of sick building syndrome remain a mystery, it has been established that heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units are a contributing factor, circulating contaminants around buildings - especially if there is uneven or inadequate ventilation around the building environment. And if there are environmental changes affecting the air intake, for instance increased number of occupants, furniture moves, and internal structural updates, these can all play a role.
Common contaminants implicated in sick building syndrome include volatile organic compounds such as solvents, printed material, paints and the like, dust and fibres, bio-aerosols such as bacteria, fungi, moulds and the like, as well as trapped vehicle and industrial exhaust fumes, carbon dioxide, cleaning agents, pesticides and building materials.
While an inadequate HVAC system as a whole may be a contributing factor to sick building syndrome, regular ductwork cleaning will reduce many of these contaminants.
Fire
The grease and grime within your air ducts, especially in the case of those within a commercial kitchen, can cause another disaster with potentially fatal consequences. Just one small spark could cause a fire that could easily spread through your ducts and throughout your premises.
Regular ductwork cleaning will ensure that your ducts are as clear as possible, meeting your legal obligations, as well as making sure that your insurance is valid.
Ductwork Cleaning - Your Legal Obligation
It is for these reasons of health and safety that regular ductwork cleaning is, in fact, a legal requirement. Meeting these legal requirements can be made easy, however, by using a professional ductwork cleaning company, that can help you to understand exactly when your ductwork cleaning needs doing, and arranging a cleaning schedule.
As well as being a legal obligation, keeping your ductwork cleaning up to date can also help with your overall workplace productivity, helping you to maintain a healthy and happy workforce.
Ductwork Cleaning with Ingot Services
Ingot Services are your professional ductwork cleaning company with over 25 years of experience in the industry. We have clients throughout the UK and from the whole range of industries - from Michelin star restaurants to pubs and cafes, from local authorities to schools and hospitals.
We are fully qualified, HVCA registered, and we are also members of the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme and a Safe Contractor Registered firm, giving you the assurance that our ductwork cleaning work meets your legal obligations. And with our price guarantee, you can be sure that our quote won’t be beaten and we promise to hold that quoted price for three years.
To find out more about ductwork cleaning from Ingot Services, or to book a no obligation quote call today on 0800 731 7892.
And without regular reminders it can be easy to forget how important your ductwork cleaning really is - especially because you can’t actually see the dirt building up inside them. But forgetting your ductwork cleaning can prove to be a disaster - one that could easily be prevented by hiring a ductwork cleaning company and tasking them with a regular ductwork cleaning schedule.
Ductwork Cleaning - What Could Go Wrong Without It?
A haven for dust and grime, all manner of nasties are attracted to your ductwork including a variety of airborne bacteria and mould. This can contribute to sick building syndrome, as well as attracting vermin and posing a serious fire risk.
Bio-aerosols, Germs and Bacteria
With millions of fungi and pollen spores floating in the air all around us, it comes as little surprise that ducts provide the perfect sanctuary to settle and grow. Out and about these would cause us little issue, but as they are sucked into ventilation systems, they join a multitude of different bacteria, some potentially harmful, settling within the layers of dust that stick to the insides of your ductwork. Carried into our air supply, these same fungi spores can cause asthma attacks, wheeziness, itchy or watery eyes, breathlessness and a blocked nose, as well as the possibility of ear and lung infections.
As well as minor viruses such as the common cold, your ducts may also play host to bacteria such as pneumonia, legionella and kiebsiella, causing fever, weakness and flu like symptoms, or even death. In more sensitive environments, such as hospitals and care homes this can be a particularly dangerous hazard, with superbugs such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile (C difficile) a disaster in the making.
This is backed up by studies by the Environmental Protection Agency, which have found that the air inside buildings can be as much as 70 times more polluted than the air outside. And by following a regular ductwork cleaning regime, many of these dangers can be kept in check.
Vermin
Attracted to warm, as well as the relatively peaceful and undisturbed atmosphere within ductwork, rats and mice can be a problem that can quickly get out of hand. Especially as they breed almost continuously throughout the year. And cockroaches find the same places a haven for nesting.
Rats and mice are reported to spread over 35 diseases worldwide, including salmonella, toxoplasmosis, Weil’s disease, encephalitis and worms. These diseases can be spread to us through their faeces , urine and saliva, as well as through direct bites, or via ticks, mites or fleas who have fed on a rodent. Cockroaches are a similar public health risk, spreading food poisoning, dysentery and diarrhoea.
Regular ductwork cleaning will ensure there is less potential for nesting sites, and regular interruptions make a less attractive place for vermin to stay.
Sick Building Syndrome
While the precise causes of sick building syndrome remain a mystery, it has been established that heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units are a contributing factor, circulating contaminants around buildings - especially if there is uneven or inadequate ventilation around the building environment. And if there are environmental changes affecting the air intake, for instance increased number of occupants, furniture moves, and internal structural updates, these can all play a role.
Common contaminants implicated in sick building syndrome include volatile organic compounds such as solvents, printed material, paints and the like, dust and fibres, bio-aerosols such as bacteria, fungi, moulds and the like, as well as trapped vehicle and industrial exhaust fumes, carbon dioxide, cleaning agents, pesticides and building materials.
While an inadequate HVAC system as a whole may be a contributing factor to sick building syndrome, regular ductwork cleaning will reduce many of these contaminants.
Fire
The grease and grime within your air ducts, especially in the case of those within a commercial kitchen, can cause another disaster with potentially fatal consequences. Just one small spark could cause a fire that could easily spread through your ducts and throughout your premises.
Regular ductwork cleaning will ensure that your ducts are as clear as possible, meeting your legal obligations, as well as making sure that your insurance is valid.
Ductwork Cleaning - Your Legal Obligation
It is for these reasons of health and safety that regular ductwork cleaning is, in fact, a legal requirement. Meeting these legal requirements can be made easy, however, by using a professional ductwork cleaning company, that can help you to understand exactly when your ductwork cleaning needs doing, and arranging a cleaning schedule.
As well as being a legal obligation, keeping your ductwork cleaning up to date can also help with your overall workplace productivity, helping you to maintain a healthy and happy workforce.
Ductwork Cleaning with Ingot Services
Ingot Services are your professional ductwork cleaning company with over 25 years of experience in the industry. We have clients throughout the UK and from the whole range of industries - from Michelin star restaurants to pubs and cafes, from local authorities to schools and hospitals.
We are fully qualified, HVCA registered, and we are also members of the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme and a Safe Contractor Registered firm, giving you the assurance that our ductwork cleaning work meets your legal obligations. And with our price guarantee, you can be sure that our quote won’t be beaten and we promise to hold that quoted price for three years.
To find out more about ductwork cleaning from Ingot Services, or to book a no obligation quote call today on 0800 731 7892.
Thursday, 20 September 2012
News for September 2012
We have been kept very busy over the summer months deep cleaning kitchens and grease extract systems. However it all hasn't been work, company MD Alan Maynard attended the CBI regional dinner last week at RAF Duxford as the guest of BT's East of England Director Dave Hughes. A good time was had by all!
We are also pleased to continue supporting Ipswich Rugby Club who made an excellent start to the season by beating Braintree RFC 32 - 3 at home. Alan has also taken on the role as match reporter; for full report click here.
We are still looking to take on more people as we continue to expand, if you are interested please contact the office on 0800 731 7892.
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