INDUSTRY NEWS
SURGE IN VENT HYGIENE COMPLIANCE AS FIRE SAFETY AWARENESS GROWS
D
emand for cleaning and maintenance of kitchen extract ventilation systems has increased dramatically in the past year,
according to the industry’s newly rebranded certification scheme BESA Vent Hygiene Register (VHR). There has been a 78% increase in the number
of works notified to the VHR digital database since last March with the annual total passing 21,000 for the first time. The dramatic increase has been attributed to more clients, insurers and fire officers recognising the importance of these systems to the fire integrity of buildings. There is at least one serious fire in a UK
commercial kitchen every day, and owners are becoming increasingly aware that by improving the maintenance of their grease extraction systems, ventilation and ductwork, they can minimise the risk of a fire spreading. As a result, thousands more systems are now being cleaned in compliance with the industry’s TR19® Grease Specification, Fire Risk Management of Grease Accumulation within Kitchen Extraction Systems, according to VHR. Formerly known as the BESCA Ventilation Hygiene Elite scheme, the Register has been rebranded to reflect the growing profile of the profession and to help it prepare for formal government regulation. VHR is intended to become the ventilation hygiene
equivalent of the mandatory Gas Safe Register, which transformed the safety of gas installation
pushing the industry towards higher standards and regulatory compliance which is very much in tune with the culture change being driven by the Building Safety Act. “These companies recognise the importance of being able to provide third party audited evidence to their clients that their kitchen extract systems have been cleaned in compliance with the industry specification.” Members’ clients receive a VHR Post Clean Completion Certificate which is a crucial piece of evidence for any potential insurance claim or fire report.
“Digital technology has helped us make rapid
work in the UK. It is recognised by the insurance fire risk body RISCAuthority, and by the London Fire Brigade which recently updated its guidance for catering premises to include new measures from TR19® Grease.
Vanguard
“Despite its central role in building safety, this remains an unregulated sector,” said BESA’s head of certification Duncan Sibbald. “The 150 plus members of the VHR are the professional vanguard
FIVE KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM DISTRICT HEATING WORKSHOP
F
ollowing REHAU’s Building a Greener Future: Delivering High-Quality Heat Networks workshop at The Building Centre in London, industry- leading figures left with a positive outlook on the future of low carbon heat
networks, with five key takeaways emerging from the event. The workshop, held on 6 June 2023, saw REHAU bring together district heating
experts to discuss industry challenges and solutions. Among the key topics covered were government funding, incoming heat network zoning, the Heat Network Technology Assurance Scheme (HNTAS), and best practice in design and installation of heat networks. Steve Richmond, head of marketing & technical at REHAU Building Solutions
said: “We decided to run this workshop because it’s vital that the industry can come together to learn from each other as we accelerate toward low carbon heat networks. Having spoken to the delegates and gathered their feedback, we’re very pleased with how the industry is reacting to some big challenges, and how positive
progress in providing a much-needed way for responsible firms to demonstrate to clients, insurers and the general public that they are working hard to keep people safe in buildings,” said Sibbald. “However, while we are delighted to have passed the 21,000 compliant cleans milestone, we recognise we still have a very long way to go because there are still tens of thousands of systems out there waiting to be brought up to standard – and many are putting building occupants at considerable risk.” “Vent hygiene is more than just cleaning, it’s fire
prevention,” said Sibbald. “This message is getting through to a much wider audience now as shown by the surge in the use of our database to register compliant cleans, which is translating into greater reassurance for clients, insurers, and fire officers.”
the future looks for district heating. Reflecting on his own
five key takeaways from the event, Steve said: “There was a lot of interest in the Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS). Everyone recognises that there are some underperforming
projects so the increased emphasis on quality assurance can only be a good thing.” “The UK district heating market momentum is clearly building – the capital funding is there, zoning is coming and policies such as the Future Homes Standard will help drive demand from developers.” “There was a good debate about how we both increase the number of trained
contractors to install pipes but also ensure the high quality of pipe installations.” “There is a fine line between designing for future heat network capacity versus the risk of oversizing networks and the risk if that capacity never connects.” “There was an interesting question about how clients view district heating and
it’s higher complexity versus installing gas boilers in each property and what can be done to educate clients and address any potential concerns they have.”
6 July 2023
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