Maintaining clean and compliant ventilation systems is essential for fire safety and efficient airflow within commercial buildings. However, many ductwork systems – particularly vertical risers – are often neglected due to limited access or inaccurate inspection reports. Rope Access 24 Seven was recently commissioned to carry out rope access ductwork cleaning on a kitchen extraction riser within a commercial building in London. The riser had previously been reported by a member of the Vent Hygiene Register as having no access available for cleaning, meaning the system had remained untouched for many years.
Following a site inspection, our specialist team identified a safe solution to access the riser. By installing access panels at both the top and base of the ductwork, our rope access technicians were able to safely enter the riser and complete a thorough internal clean of the ductwork system.
The Situation – Long-Term Neglect of Ventilation Risers
Kitchen extraction ductwork and ventilation risers play a vital role in removing grease, smoke and cooking fumes from commercial kitchens. Without regular cleaning and maintenance, grease deposits can accumulate within duct systems, increasing the risk of fire and reducing ventilation efficiency.
In this case, the riser had not been cleaned for more than 10 years, primarily because it had previously been reported as inaccessible. Situations like this are not uncommon in older buildings or complex ventilation systems where proper access points have not been installed.
This project highlighted a wider issue within the ventilation hygiene industry: systems being classified as inaccessible based on desktop assessments rather than physical inspections.
The Challenge – Cleaning a Riser Previously Declared Inaccessible
The project presented several key challenges:
- The ductwork riser had been reported as having no access for cleaning
- The system had accumulated over a decade of contamination
- Safe entry into the riser required specialist planning and equipment
- Access needed to be created without damaging the existing ventilation system
To successfully complete the project, the team needed to develop a solution that would allow safe internal access to the riser while maintaining compliance with ventilation hygiene standards.
Our Approach – Rope Access Ductwork Cleaning Specialists
Our objective was to deliver a safe and effective rope access ductwork cleaning solution that would allow the entire riser system to be accessed and cleaned properly.
The team carried out a full site assessment to determine where new access points could be safely installed. By creating access panels at strategic points within the system, our rope access technicians were able to safely enter the riser and carry out the required cleaning works.
This approach ensured that the system could be cleaned thoroughly and also made future inspections and maintenance significantly easier.
The Process
Initial Site Inspection
Our rope access operations team conducted a detailed inspection of the ventilation system to assess the condition of the ductwork and identify suitable locations for access panel installation.
This included:
- Visual inspection of the riser structure
- Identification of safe entry points
- Risk assessments and rope access planning
- Development of a rope rescue plan
Careful planning ensured that the work could be carried out safely and efficiently.
Access Panel Installation
To allow safe entry into the system, our technicians installed access panels at both the top and base of the duct riser.
These access points enabled proper inspection and cleaning of the internal duct surfaces and ensured the system would remain accessible for future maintenance.
Rope Access Ductwork Cleaning
Once safe access had been established, our IRATA-certified rope access technicians entered the riser and carried out a full internal clean of the ductwork.
Using specialist ventilation hygiene cleaning techniques, the team removed grease deposits and contaminants from the internal surfaces of the duct system, restoring airflow efficiency and reducing fire risk.
Qualified Technicians
All work was completed by trained ventilation hygiene specialists supported by IRATA-certified rope access technicians, ensuring the cleaning process was carried out safely and in accordance with industry best practices.
Clean and Compliant Outcome
Following the cleaning process, the riser was left clean, accessible and ready for ongoing maintenance, significantly improving the safety and condition of the ventilation system.
The Outcome – Restoring a Neglected Ventilation System
The rope access approach allowed the team to successfully clean a riser that had previously been considered inaccessible.
Key benefits included:
- Full internal cleaning of the ductwork riser
- Removal of more than 10 years of grease and contamination
- Installation of permanent access panels for future maintenance
- Improved fire safety and ventilation performance
- Safe and efficient completion using rope access techniques
This project demonstrated how specialist rope access ductwork cleaning can overcome access challenges that might otherwise leave ventilation systems neglected.
Conclusion – The Importance of Accurate Ventilation Audits
This case study highlights the limitations of relying solely on desktop assessments when evaluating ventilation systems.
The riser had previously been reported as inaccessible, yet a site inspection by our experienced technicians quickly identified a safe and practical solution for accessing and cleaning the system.
For facilities managers and building operators, this reinforces the importance of having ventilation audits conducted on-site by independent, accredited specialists, ensuring accurate assessments and effective maintenance planning.
Rope Access 24 Seven specialises in rope access ductwork cleaning, riser cleaning, ventilation hygiene maintenance and difficult-access inspection services across London and the UK.
Contact Rope Access 24 Seven
If you require rope access ductwork cleaning, riser cleaning or specialist ventilation hygiene services, our experienced teams are ready to help.
📞 Call our Operations Team: 0203 640 8247 to find out more.
📧 Email: info@24sevengroup.co.uk
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