They say it’s often what you can’t see that is dangerous. And this is especially true when it comes to kitchen filter maintenance.
At a glance they may look clean enough, but it’s what business owners don’t see, that is potentially harmful to their business, employees and customers.
4 Risks Associated With Unmaintained Kitchen Filters
Risk 1: Unmaintained Kitchen Filters Can Cause Fire
Dirty kitchen filters pose a serious fire risk. This is because, as a kitchen is used, grease builds up inside of the kitchen’s filters and exhaust systems.
The longer between filter exchanges the larger this build-up of grease becomes. And, it only takes a single spark to ignite it, thereby causing a fire.
This is a major cause of restaurant fires.
Risk 2: Unmaintained Filters Can Contribute to Rejected Insurance Claims
Fire can be devastating for business owners. So in the event of fire, the last thing anyone wants to be worrying about is complications with the insurance pay-out.
However insurance claims can be rejected, if the business owner cannot prove that the kitchen’s filters and canopies were properly cleaned and maintained.
Risk 3: Unmaintained Kitchen Filters Can Breach Australian Standards
Australia’s occupational health and safety standards dictate that kitchen canopies, exhaust systems, fans and filters, must be cleaned and maintained on a regular basis.
So business owners that do not regularly maintain their kitchen’s filters often breech state and federal guidelines, surrounding the health and safety of their business.
This can be a contributing factor in fines, and even closure of businesses.
Risk 4: Unmaintained Kitchen Filters Can Cause Indoor Air Pollution
Dirty filters can undermine the effectiveness of an entire kitchen exhaust system.
If filters are blocked then harmful gases, particles, and dust may not be effectively expelled from the kitchen area. Instead they remain, and pollute the inside air.
This can put business owners, staff and customers at risk from a number of dangerous airborne contaminants.
