New Cleaning Manual -- Photos Needed

Ok, here is something I do not understand:

IKECA Policies & Procedures, section IV Complaints & Appeals:

"Only complaints filed by customers will be investigated."

What about complaints filed by an AHJ?



"Complaints by other members are not subject to investigation by IKECA."

So if YOU were to inspect a system the day after it was cleaned by another IKECA member, and YOU find half an inch of grease on the duct walls and exhaust fan, so you send time & date stamped pictures of the problem areas & invoice to IKECA, they wouldn't even investigate the problem? I completely understand IKECA demanding a complaint in writing (for documentation purposes), but I don't understand why they would only investigate a complaint from a customer. I would think they would at least investigate a complaint from an AHJ, which I don't think would be too hard to get if gross negligence is discovered.
 
Can you name one complaint that was filed by a AHJ and the facts that pertain to this event ? If you have that information please mail it to me and I will answer the question.
 
The questions I posed were more retorical, (what if), than anything. They do reflect similar issues I have encountered in the last ten years. In the past I never considered the fact that the negligence of others had an effect on me. The truth is, when you have a competitor in your area doing shoddy work, it ruins the industry's image in the customers' eyes. You then have to overcome the negative image portrayed by your less than stellar competitor.

The fact that IKECA will not even investigate a complaint from another cleaner is obsured! How many restaurant operators inspect their entire exhaust system after it has been cleaned? How many even have the ability? If they suspect a problem, odds are they will simply begin accepting bids from other companies. If one tips them off to the duct(s) and/or fan(s) not being cleaned, they will likely just fire the current company and hire another. That complaint is highly unlikely to ever be written or sent to IKECA, however I am sure that if there were a policy in place for other cleaners to file a complaint, the ethics committee would be doing more investigations.

If that simple change were made to IKECA's Code of Ethics, I would join today.
 
RMedbery said:
Maybe he should ask at a dedicated greaser board?
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This is a dedicated greaser BBS. PWI is the largest greaser hang out on the web.

We have all members from many orgs. (including yours Roger)

Everyone comes here because they can speak to the entire industry.

Plus we have three great KEC experts. Delco Akland and Rusty.

Most all the people in the industry have certifcation from one of them or often two.

PWI has been creating and informing the industry for over 8 years.

We are planing a nice KEC expo in Cali next year. We are inviting all the leaders to speak and we will have a QA open forum so people can help the industry work out problems.

Roger, your always welcome to attend any PWI events. Perhaps Atlanta May 2009.

In Atlanta we resolved some seriuos EPA issues and trouble local contractors were having. I was actually surprised we got thru to them. It worked
 
The questions I posed were more retorical, (what if), than anything. They do reflect similar issues I have encountered in the last ten years. In the past I never considered the fact that the negligence of others had an effect on me. The truth is, when you have a competitor in your area doing shoddy work, it ruins the industry's image in the customers' eyes. You then have to overcome the negative image portrayed by your less than stellar competitor.
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Thats the truth
 
IKECA Mission Section 2
"The International Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Association is committed to serve & represent the interest of comermercial kitchen exhaust cleaning industry by promoting the highest cleaning & ethical standards;providing education & certification opportunites;creating a broader awareness of the need for continually improving fire prevention by cooperating with and involving fire departments and the insurance industry & infuluencing in a positive manner regulations and govermmental actions affecting the industry; advancing safety, image, efficiency, competitiveness & profitability of the industry members; & working to create healthier, cleaner & safer environments in which to operate a kitchen.":)
 
Guidelines and Best Practices





Regular maintenance of restaurant kitchen exhaust removal systems remains one of the primary defenses against fire hazards.

The following items are important points to address when choosing a service provider:

1. The "Complete" Job

Most importantly, one must have clear understanding of the scope of work being provided under any agreement.

Often, firms believe they purchase a cleaning of the entire system only to discover later that they have received a "Hood Washing".

Being familiar with the routing of the exhaust ductwork which is above the ceiling and checking the completed operation after the cleaning process remains instrumental in eliminating surprises.

Always get in writing what the cleaning contract proposes and how the work will be done.

It remains recommended to use an industry "Certified" contractor and to verity proof of insurance.

2. Access to the Interior of the "System"

Although building codes state that the interior of the system shall be "reasonably accessible for inspection and cleaning", many systems remain with inaccessible areas.

As a general rule, if the ductwork interior cannot be inspected, it cannot be cleaned properly.

3. Access Panels

When additional access panels are required to be installed onto exhaust ductwork to facilitate cleaning and inspection, it remains important to specify methods and material which align with applicable codes.

Access panels should never be installed onto the bottom of the duct, and material used should be of the same thickness and type of the exhaust ductwork.

Use of listed access door assemblies help insure that the construction of the panel complies with most model codes.

4. Accessing the Fan

All kitchen exhaust systems are equipped with blowers which must be included within the scope of cleaning.

Upblast type blowers located on the roof should be installed in such a manner that access to the ductwork may be gained by removal of the fan.

Proper flexible electrical conduit and routing of same must be provided to allow removal. Hinging of the blower base so that the unit remains off of the roof surface during cleaning remains recommended for upblast type fans.

Inline and utility set type blowers may also be employed in kitchen exhaust systems.

Utility set type blowers may be located on the roof at the end of the exhaust duct or in the ceiling. Ceiling mounted utility set and inline type blowers will have duct connected to both sides and these units should be accessible from both sides for inspection and cleaning and may require a safe working platform.

Regardless of the type fan employed, always inquire with the cleaning contractor as to how your unit will be cleaned.

Also recommended would be to know who will be responsible for regular mechanical maintenance for belts and lubrication of rotating parts since this could help eliminate system downtime.

5. Frequency of Cleaning

Kitchen exhaust systems generally require cleaning from monthly to annually depending on many factors.

The greatest factor governing required cleaning frequency is the volume of cooking and severity of the cooking operation. Configuration of the exhaust system may also dictate increased frequency.

The cleaning frequency of the exhaust system should be specified to keep the system free of fuel load sufficient to support fire and operating at maximum efficiency.

Regular cleaning of grease filters and proper operation of automatic wash systems (where equipped) greatly reduce system loading and remain recommended.

6. Certificate of Performance

Professional cleaning contractors will supply a certificate of performance which is posted at or near the hood as proof of service.

At a minimum, this certificate should indicate the date of inspection or cleaning, the name of the servicing company, and areas not cleaned.

Posting of the next service date due remains a good practice.

7. Service Follow Up

Submitting of a system service report at the conclusion of cleaning kitchen exhaust systems will allow much more information to be shared between the contractor and the facility being serviced concerning the system.

Documenting of mechanical, accessibility, and safety concerns raises the level of awareness of the customer regarding one of the most important systems at their facility.
 
Wow, those are a lot of words. Too bad thats exactly all they are.............words. I think the point of this whole discussion is they carry no weight if I choose not to follow them.

The point made by Chris that they will only investigate complaints from customers is laughable. I think it would be a safe bet that maybe 1% of my customers have even heard of IKECA. Why dont they just say, only albino Aborigines with 3 big toes can file complaints? They'd probably get just as many. As Chris said, nobody is against IKECA......they do good things. We are however not satisfied with just good enough.

Ron this is not a dedicated greaser board, its a PW board with a greaser side section. TGP has almost as many posts in less than 2 years than PWI does as a whole for its long existence. The info thats passed around over there has helped many many greasers run successful businesses. And the inspiration that some guys get.....................many times Ive heard.........wow I want to do work that good. We inspire them to ask "why arent people held accountable?"

I think yall look at us like MBryan puppets. Matts a great guy, hes done more for this industry than those 8000 words above. But he hasnt spent much time on TGP for quite a few months, (I think hes planing the takeover of Belgium) but our dedication remains.
 
Thanks for the input - I am sure the members of IKECA will forever be in your debt for those profound words of leadership and brotherhood.
 
David Saulque said:
Thanks for the input - I am sure the members of IKECA will forever be in your debt for those profound words of leadership and brotherhood.
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Were did that come from? Yall have had a problem with me from day one. How about you be a man and call me and idiot in person? Freakin Yahoo.
Here my number 4047847391
 
Have a nice day!
 
You and Ron are so tight I bet you use the same alarm clock.

Ill expect an email from you now like I get from Ron like the one below.

This is the message:

Your always a jerk off, you always act like a redneck. you say i dont give you any respect?

Your right, I think all the above..LOL

stay over at tgp with all the other dip **** grease guys that dont get it.

why come here? WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
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I have posted all that I need to say.
 
RMedbery said:
Wow, those are a lot of words. Too bad thats exactly all they are.............words. I think the point of this whole discussion is they carry no weight if I choose not to follow them.

The point made by Chris that they will only investigate complaints from customers is laughable. I think it would be a safe bet that maybe 1% of my customers have even heard of IKECA. Why dont they just say, only albino Aborigines with 3 big toes can file complaints? They'd probably get just as many. As Chris said, nobody is against IKECA......they do good things. We are however not satisfied with just good enough.

Ron this is not a dedicated greaser board, its a PW board with a greaser side section. TGP has almost as many posts in less than 2 years than PWI does as a whole for its long existence. The info thats passed around over there has helped many many greasers run successful businesses. And the inspiration that some guys get.....................many times Ive heard.........wow I want to do work that good. We inspire them to ask "why arent people held accountable?"

I think yall look at us like MBryan puppets. Matts a great guy, hes done more for this industry than those 8000 words above. But he hasnt spent much time on TGP for quite a few months, (I think hes planing the takeover of Belgium) but our dedication remains.
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Roger Roger Roger, TGP was created by the members of PWI. You always complain I give you no respect.

On the same token my fellow contract cleaner which is what we all are. Contract cleaners and we have similiar customers and business models. Open your eyes and see the truth. The founders of your org all for the most part started right here on PWI.

You Roger forget that for some reason or want to shadow that simple fact.

I support your org and you constantly continue to question this BBS members and abilities.

You see Roger just like TGP when you offend PWI your offending all its members. To suggest PWi doesnt play a role in future learning in your industry is ridiculous.

PWI is currently heading one of the largest Seminars around the entire country supported by many people that might be your customers in the future.

We should all just stop bickering and unite together. At the end of the day we all are contract mobile cleaners. We all should want individually for our business to grow and prosper. That statement i might make PWI's motto.

PWI unites all mobile cleaners around the planet. We all have contributions reguardless and have valuable information to share.

Roger, I have no beef with you. It seems you want to always prove TGP is better. Thats great you believe in what your doing and have a passion. Please keep in mind that we all have the same passion.

I'm done with this particular subject, its been beat many times. We all including myself just need to respect others and get along.
 
Ikeca

I guess for now, as I encounter gross negligence in the field, I will have to guide my clients through the process of filing a complaint with IKECA when the situation arises. In the meantime, I will make sure the information is more accessible to others.

I meant what I said earlier, when IKECA changes their complaint policies, I'll be ready to send them my application.
 
RMedbery said:
You and Ron are so tight I bet you use the same alarm clock.

Ill expect an email from you now like I get from Ron like the one below.
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I forgave you about that email Roger and will leave it up if you like. I apoligized and its old news. I'm moving forward Rog and your welcome to ride along.

Roger, Chris made a statement about how the indsutry always look bad when one guy is acting foolish. You said you agreed with this statement, you should possibly practice.

Have a great day!
 
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