Author Archives: Anita

1. Invictus Games in Toronto

   September 27, 2017 6:34 pm Leave a Comment

   We are so proud to own and operate our business in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. During our 55 years, we have seen Toronto grow into a vibrant, first class international city.  Beaches, parks, amazing entertainment venues, tourist attractions, renowned universities and hospitals, great shopping and some of the best restaurants in the world; we have it all.  We are blessed with a very diverse population that practices inclusion of all peoples regardless of culture, religion, life choices or capabilities.  We are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the world.

   

   This week, we are also proud that the Invictus Games are being held in the Toronto.  The Invictus Games, being held between Sept 23rd and 30th, were started three years ago, by Prince Harry of Wales.  The prince has been in attendance at many events in our city.  He even accompanied athletes to Niagara Falls for a day trip.

    

   The Invictus Games is an international Paralympic-style multi-sport event, in which wounded, injured or sick armed services personnel and their associated veterans take part in adaptive sports including:

   

   Athletics event 2017

    

   • Wheelchair basketball
   • Wheelchair rugby
   • Wheelchair tennis
   • Cycling
   • Golf
   • Athletics
   • Power-lifting
   • Swimming
   • Sitting volleyball
   • Indoor rowing

    

   These adaptive sports help athletes develop a sense of belonging; increase self-esteem; create an outlet for excess energy; improve quality of life; and foster a sense of camaraderie with other wounded service members.

   These men and women gave of themselves with pride to keep our world safe and maintain our freedoms.  The “I Am” motto of the games lends to the Canadian determination that we can achieve anything, if we put our hearts into our efforts.  Please support the Invictus Games by attending events, volunteering and spreading the word.  Shake hands with a veteran and express your gratitude for their selflessness.

   If you are a visitor to our great city, we welcome you and hope you enjoy your stay.  Be sure to dine out at any casual, family, food court or fine dining establishment.  Pressure-Kleen appreciates your contribution to the Toronto economy.

2. Industry Networking at IKECA Conference 2017

   June 27, 2017 3:38 pm Leave a Comment

   Another great conference for the International Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Association. This year the well-attended annual meeting was held in sunny Charleston, South Carolina. I always enjoy attending these IKECA events that allow me to network and learn about the latest tools.

   

    

   The conference was packed with industry related seminars from Fire departments to business matters and equipment manufacturers. I have personally been attending these meetings for over 25 years, and they have never disappointed me. The opportunity to meet and learn with other industry leading cleaning companies from across the North America, ensures our cleaning solutions are the most current.  This year we got a refresher on the ANSI/IKECA standards of Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning as well as demonstrations from exhibitors about new products.

    

   I personally take great pride that I have been asked to be a presenter at many of these conferences. Being the First Canadian President of the Canadian Chapter in IKECA, I never could of imagined all the rewarding benefits of giving back to our industry.  Pressure-Kleen Services Company has often been applauded by our industry peers for our innovation and highest standards.  I’m looking forward to next fall’s conference where I can expand my knowledge and share that expertise with my customers.  I believe an educated customer can make better decisions.

    

    

    

    

3. Attention Restaurant Owners Part 2: How to Judge if Your Exhaust System is Properly Cleaned.

   November 17, 2016 7:40 pm Leave a Comment

   Making sure that a kitchen exhaust system is cleaned regularly is the first step to preventing an unexpected grease fire. Many restaurant owners wonder how often they should be assessing their exhaust systems. The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) has the following set of guidelines:

   

    

   If your exhaust system is not properly maintained, then you are exposing your business to a potential fire hazard. In fact, most kitchen grease fires spread rapidly because the flames will flare up from a kitchen appliance into a grimy, neglected exhaust system full of built-up grease.

   Invest in the safety you kitchen equipment today by scheduling regular cleaning with an IKECA Certified Professional.

   Published on December 23, 2015 in Fire Prevention by IKECA

   

   Kitchen Horizontal Duct After Cleaning

4. Attention Restaurant Owners: The Importance of Grease Filters

   August 23, 2016 5:30 pm Leave a Comment

   Grease filters are considered the first lines of defense for restaurant safety, especially because grease is so highly flammable.  Replacing and maintaining a restaurant’s grease filters is an important step in reducing the risk of kitchen grease fires.

   Most people think of grease as a liquid, but grease can travel by vapors and smoke. If the exhaust effluent is properly filtered, a large percentage of the grease is
   removed from the airstream greatly reducing the amount of grease that will stick to the inside of the kitchen exhaust system and reduce the risk of a grease duct fire.

   The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Code 96  is the standard for ventilation control and fire protection of commercial cooking operations. Here are some of their fire safety codes described in NFPA Code 96, specifically for grease filters, or ‘Grease Removal Devices.’

   NFPA 96 Fire Codes for Hood Grease Filters for Grease Removal Devices:

   1. Listed grease filters, listed baffles, or other listed grease removal devices for use with commercial cooking equipment shall be provided.
   2. Listed grease filters and grease removal devices that are removable but not an integral component of a specifically listed exhaust hood shall be listed in accordance with UL 1046.
   3. Mesh filters shall not be used unless evaluated as an integral part of a listed exhaust hood or listed in conjunction with a primary filter in accordance with UL 1046.
   4. Grease filters shall be listed and constructed of steel or listed equivalent material.
   5. Grease filters shall be of rigid construction that will not distort or crush under normal operation, handling, and cleaning conditions.
   6. Grease filters shall be arranged so that all exhaust air passes through the grease filters.
   7. Grease filters shall be easily accessible and removable for cleaning.
   8. Grease filters shall be installed at an angle not less than 45 degrees from the horizontal.

   Invest in the safety of the restaurant and commercial kitchen equipment by scheduling regular cleaning by an IKECA Certified Professional.  Replace your broken, old grease filters from Pressure-Kleen Services.  We offer a variety of commercial hood filters compatible with most kitchen cooking equipment.  Our friendly customer success associates will help you determine the correct size and style for your commercial hoods.

    

    

5. Spring Hiring & Training

   April 22, 2016 3:41 pm Leave a Comment

   The winter is nearing its end and the weather is improving.  As the snow birds migrate back to Canada, we are getting into our spring training programs.

   We have hired 5 full-time technicians who are successfully going through our training path towards a rewarding career. They are some of our most talented recruits yet. Many are working towards their Professional Exhaust System Technician (PECT) qualification. This qualification comes from one of the most respected organizations in our industry, the International Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Association (IKECA). Pressure-Kleen has been a member of IKECA for over 25 years. Once our new recruits have acquired their PECT qualification the new recruits will be promoted. We are very proud of their achievements thus far.

   But their training does not stop there. Pressure-Kleen Online Workplace Learning (PKOWL) environment provides online training 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all staff. Internally developed operational training courses cover topics like photo protocol, service report completion, how to conduct a site inspection and equipment maintenance. External regulated courses such as Workplace Harassment Training and WHMIS are also available.

   Our monthly round table discussions allow our technicians to raise questions and give feedback on new ideas.  These ideas will continue to propel our company into the future. We discuss safety issues, site inspections, installation of access doors, equipment maintenance and operation, and tips and tricks of the trade. For our new hires, it is extremely important information that can only be relayed from experienced field service technicians. Many of our most valued technicians have been with Pressure-Kleen Services for more than 5 years. A few have been with us over 20 years. They have seen it all and are happy to enlighten our trainees about their experiences. Oh the dirty stories they have to tell!

   We continue to look for recruits with Class G drivers license and ambition to expand our Pressure-Kleen work force.  Call today to arrange an interview!

6. Fire Closes Down Leamington Wendy’s Restaurant

   January 11, 2016 5:43 pm Leave a Comment

   Fire has caused an estimated $200,000 to the Leamington Wendy’s Restaurant in Southern Ontario. Fire crews were called to the fast food restaurant on Oak Street just after 9am on November 18, 2015.  A team of 18 firefighters were able to bring the fire under control quickly. Officials say it started with the cooking equipment in the kitchen.

   Have you had your kitchen equipment and exhaust system inspected recently?  Regular inspections and cleaning can greatly reduce the possibility of grease fires. Be sure your inspector is a certified Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning inspector like those at Pressure-Kleen Services Company.  Also ensure that your kitchen exhaust cleaning company provides detailed reports of their inspections.  Pre-cleaning and post-cleaning photos should be available for your review.

   It is imperative that any identified deficiencies are corrected before they affect the safety of your employees. Luckily, there were no reported injuries associated with the Wendy’s fire in Leamington.

   Cleaning must go beyond what you can see. It must delve into the depths of the ductwork.  An inspection between the exhaust fan on the building exterior and the hoods in the kitchen allows us to advise on the required frequency for a cleaning program.

   

   There needs to be sufficient access to the ductwork.  Fire rated access doors should be installed at each turn in the system.  This will allow your inspector to conduct a proper inspection and determine the extent of cleaning required.  The goal of cleaning is to restore the ductwork to bare metal by removing all grease build-up.   Access door installation may be required to allow cleaning to bare metal.

   

   We are authorized dealers for FlameGard access doors and hood filters. Call us for more information on our products or services.

   DISCLAIMER: Pressure-Kleen Services Company Inc. has never serviced this Wendy’s location

7. Residential High-rise Building Cleaning

   September 16, 2015 1:08 pm Leave a Comment

   As a property manager of a residential high-rise building it is up to you to seek out quotations for your property maintenance needs. One of the services you may require is garbage disposal system cleaning.   By having your building’s disposal system cleaning on a regular basis (annual, semi-annual or tri-annual) you will reduce your maintenance, repair and replacement expenses for the disposal system. You will also reduce and prevent the build-up of garbage in the chute which will help to prevent odours and infestation of roaches.

   Underground garage cleaning is another area that requires regular maintenance to protect the garage floor from excessive salt and dirt build up. Power sweeping and pressure washing of the underground garage floor, walls and ceiling pipes is important. By cleaning the underground parking on a regular basis (annual or semi-annually) you can protect the floor membrane from erosion and peeling caused by winter salt and automotive fluid leaks. Oil stain removal keeps your floors aesthetically pleasing for your residents and catch basin cleaning keeps drains from backing up and requiring emergency plumbing services.

   

   Graffiti tagging tarnishes building aesthetics

   Is your property frequently vandalized by graffiti? Pressure-Kleen specialize in graffiti removal, as well as entranceway cleaning and interior and exterior building and in-plant cleaning.

   By using our pressure washing services we can help reduce your maintenance costs, and extend the lifetime of your products which in the bottom line lower your expenses.

   Looking to control your costs? We offer contracts for all of the above services. By going with a contract we look after the scheduling of the cleaning services for you and you have a fixed cleaning cost for the length of the contract and can take advantage of additional services. It is a WIN-WIN situation for you.

8. Preventing Commercial Kitchen Grease Fires

   August 13, 2015 3:50 pm Leave a Comment

   Every year, a memorial service for fallen firefighters is held in Toronto. The most recent service was June 7th, 2015 held at the Harbour Front fire station 334. Tragically, 245 fire fighters have lost their lives since 1948 while trying to protect us, our property and the environment.  (Source Citynews.ca)

   If an exhaust cleaning company is not cleaning to NFPA 96 Standard, it is acting with negligence.  It increases the possibility of a restaurant fire, causing firemen to have to answer the call and put their lives on the line for us. There is a way to dramatically reduce the risk of kitchen exhaust and hood fires. Simply make the commitment to have the entire system inspected and cleaned to bare metal at a proper frequency each and every time. Kitchen Exhaust System Inspection Schedule

   When you choose your professional kitchen exhaust cleaning company they should provide you with Absolute Proof® that it has been cleaned to bare metal. It’s our responsibility to provide this Absolute Proof® to provide reassurance that we are helping you to prevent kitchen grease fires.  It comes in the form of service reports detailing the condition of the system before and after the cleaning, backed up by photos of the interior of all the ducts and the fan, not just the hood.  We honour those firefighters by doing our best to eliminate the risk of grease fires…It’s our responsibility.