Compliance Made Easy
Preventative fire risk management for commercial kitchen extract systems, aligned with recognised standards and supported by independent testing.
How Grease Becomes Fuel
Commercial cooking produces airborne fats, oils and grease that travel beyond the canopy and into the extract system.
Over time, these particles accumulate on internal duct surfaces, forming a continuous layer of combustible material within concealed areas of the system.
This build-up is often not visible during day-to-day operations, yet it significantly increases fire exposure.
Kitchen extract cleaning provides compliance for only a snapshot in time, not continuous protection. Accumulation of grease begins immediately after cleaning.
Hidden Risk. Continuous Build-Up.
Grease accumulation within extract ductwork creates a continuous fuel source, often concealed from daily view.
Many of our venues are in Victorian buildings, with extraction systems hidden in basements, on rooftops or up to six storeys high, making them difficult to access and maintain. For us, Ecofleece Filters are about safety, helping to protect cleaned and TR19-certified systems by minimising grease build-up and safeguarding both new and ageing ventilation equipment.
When Fire Enters the Ductwork
Fire can spread beyond the kitchen
Flame can travel vertically through ductwork
Access for suppression becomes more complex
Emergency response requirements increase
Risk to life and safety becomes critical
Real-World Context
Extraction system fires are not isolated events. Documented incidents have shown how grease accumulation within ductwork can lead to fire spread beyond the point of origin, requiring significant emergency response and causing operational disruption.
These real-world examples highlight the importance of managing grease before it enters the system.
How Serious Is the Risk of a Commercial Kitchen Fire?
Discover the latest UK fire figures, common causes and real incidents showing why effective grease control and fire prevention matter.
Reactive Cleaning vs Preventative Management
Reactive Approach
- Grease enters system
- Cleaning after build-up
- Repeated contamination
- Ongoing fire exposure
Preventative Approach
- Capture at canopy
- Reduced system contamination
- Lower residual fuel load
- More controlled maintenance
We’ve had Ecofleece in place for a year now. Instead of arranging an awkward out-of-hours clean, a TR19 Grease inspection showed that a clean wasn’t required, helping us maintain the records needed for insurance and compliance.
Certification & Testing
Filtration Performance in Practice
Air filtration performance comparison based on ASTM F2519 particle size ranges (1–10 microns).
See how Ecofleece wool filtration works alongside a metal baffle filter to help capture airborne grease particles before they travel further into the extract system.
This visual performance overview compares typical metal baffle filtration with the Ecofleece filtration system, including grease particle capture, airflow and pressure drop information.
Recognised Standards. Verified Performance.
Ecofleece filter assemblies are Intertek / ETL certified and UL 1046 compliant, supporting recognised fire performance standards within commercial kitchen extract systems.
Independently Tested. Globally Referenced. Operationally Aligned.
Ecofleece operates within recognised international standards and UK guidance, supporting a structured approach to grease control, fire safety and compliance.
Standards, Testing & Safety Alignment
Ecofleece filters have been independently tested by Intertek (ETL) to UL 1046, the recognised standard for grease filters used in commercial kitchen extract systems.
Additional international reference standards include NSF food equipment standards (NSF/ANSI 2 and NSF 169) and NFPA 96 fire safety guidance for ventilation systems.
In the UK, Ecofleece operates within established frameworks including TR19 and NAAD21, supporting a risk-based approach to inspection, monitoring and cleaning.
Material Safety & Documentation
Ecofleece materials have been assessed for suitability in commercial kitchen environments, including safety, sanitation and handling considerations.
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are available, providing detailed information on material composition, handling, storage and safety guidance.
Ecofleece supports compliance by reducing grease accumulation within the system. It does not replace statutory inspection, cleaning, or insurer requirements.
Regulations, Insurance & TR19 Alignment
Regulatory Framework
Commercial kitchen operators are required to maintain extract systems in a clean and safe condition.
Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 states:
“Ventilation systems must be constructed to allow easy access for cleaning or replacement of filters and other parts.”
Insurance Alignment
Insurance policies commonly specify cleaning frequency for grease extract systems.
Insurers require evidence that systems are being maintained and that fire risk is being managed on an ongoing basis.
Ecofleece supports:
- Reduced grease build-up between inspections
- Continued inspection transparency
- Alignment with insurer documentation requirements
Service frequency remains subject to insurer approval and risk assessment.
Industry Guidance
Commercial kitchen operators are responsible for maintaining extract systems in a safe and compliant condition.
In the UK, guidance commonly referenced by insurers includes TR19 and NAAD21, which outline risk-based inspection, cleaning and reporting requirements for kitchen ventilation systems.
Cleaning and certification confirm the condition of a system at a specific point in time. Grease accumulation can begin again immediately after.
Ecofleece operates in line with these guidance documents by helping to reduce the amount of grease entering the system at source, supporting a more controlled and condition-based approach between inspections. However, it does not replace statutory inspection, cleaning, maintenance, or insurance requirements.
TR19 (sections 7.32–7.36) includes:
- Routine monitoring and inspection
- Certification of cleanliness
- Post-service reporting
- Date-stamped photographic evidence
Performance Statement
Ecofleece filtration media may capture up to 98% of airborne grease* under certain operating conditions.
This figure is supported by independent testing and operational observations of wool-based filtration media, including work conducted by industry specialists in grease filtration and air movement.
Actual performance will vary depending on application, cooking activity, airflow, installation and maintenance.
Ecofleece forms part of a wider ventilation hygiene system and does not remove the need for routine inspection, maintenance or duct cleaning.
Supporting information is available on request.
Maintaining Compliance in Practice
Commercial kitchen operators are responsible for maintaining extract systems in a safe and compliant condition.
In the UK, guidance commonly referenced by insurers includes TR19 and NAAD21. These documents provide guidance on kitchen ventilation systems and outlines the need for risk-based inspection, cleaning and reporting requirements.
Cleaning and certification confirm the condition of a system at a specific point in time. Between inspections, grease accumulation can begin again immediately.
Ecofleece operates within this framework, supporting a more controlled approach by reducing the amount of grease entering the system in the first place.
It does not replace statutory inspection, cleaning or insurer requirements.
Supporting Ongoing Compliance
- Supports reduced grease accumulation between inspections
- Helps maintain visibility of system condition
- Works alongside TR19-aligned inspection regimes
- Integrates into existing maintenance schedules
Performance Statement
Ecofleece filtration media may capture up to 98% of airborne grease* under certain operating conditions.
Performance figures refer to independent testing of wool-based filtration media under controlled conditions. Actual performance will vary depending on application, cooking activity, airflow, installation and maintenance. Ecofleece filtration system forms part of a wider ventilation hygiene system and does not remove the need for routine inspection, maintenance or duct cleaning.