Fan cleaning

[NozSpark]

If you have looked at my kitchen thread you will see that I have now "completed" the job.

While I was there the owner had a consultant in to have a look at what they were doing and if they needed to do anything any differently (should have done this in the planning stage really:_| :_| )

Anyway, this consultant asked me if I do "Fan cleaning". When I pressed him for more info he said that they can get people in to clean/replace the filters and also to clean any duct work, but when it comes to the fans themselves, they won't touch them; so would I be interested.

I have a feeling that this could be a nice earner (he said it himself "we can't get anyone") both in the amount and the value of work that it could generate, but I don't really know what's involved (apart from taking the things apart and cleaning them). I also wouldn't have any idea what to charge (guessing at 1/2 day rate, but that might change from job to job)

What do you think? :| ?:|

PS.. If you hadn't guessed this is commercial kitchens, restaurants & take away's, etc......

 

[Riggy]

I guess their issue is their current cleaners aren't competent to disconnect and remove/refit and connect the fan(s) why not offer that service but let the cleaners do the cleaning - sounds minging anyway

 

[NozSpark]

They are also worried about altering the balance of the blade...

I guess a lot of these extractor fans are 12 or more inches in diameter and are running off 3 phase!!!

 

[Apache]

can you not isolate and clean with a de-greaser in situ?

Best degreaser is beer line cleaner

 

[NozSpark]

I was thinking that most fans of this size are screwed/bolted to the rotor, so I should be able to remove the blade and then clean them...

Just trying to get a heads up before he passes any work my way.

 

[Apache]

I was thinking that most fans of this size are screwed/bolted to the rotor, so I should be able to remove the blade and then clean them...Just trying to get a heads up before he passes any work my way.

do they have any attached bearings or could you immerse fan in degreaser?

 

[Riggy]

Noz,

so long as the fan is cleaned thoroughly and not damaged, the balance won't be affected. As Apache says, chemical cleaners are best solution. Muppet +Scraper=Disaster

 

[NozSpark]

do they have any attached bearings or could you immerse fan in degreaser?

Couldn't tell you mate, but I wouldn't go immersing them, it would trash any bearings!!

I used to do a lot of this kind of thing (all be it on a much smaller scale) in my last job as an Avionics Instrumentation Engineer.... more like watchmakers skills, but with electrical, electronics, mechanics, gyros, optics and pneumatics (pitot static) thrown in

 

[batty]

Noz

When I first started out my old bosses used to service the fan heaters in schools. This involved just giving them a good clean out with a vacuum cleaner. And checking for anything that looked suspect ie leeks on the water pipes. It must have been a good earner because I used to get a bonus on how many we cleaned. We did do the fans in kitchens but not as much. I think its a case of getting the right cleaning chemicals because they certainly do get greasy. Most motors are sealed for life so once the bearings have gone its a new fan. If you where going to take that job on I would get advice from manufacturer as to what cleaners you could use.

Batty

 

[green-hornet]

I have worked on a few commercial kitchens and the main problem with any fan in this enviroment is grease.

They are so efficiant that all vapours are extracted, and when not maintained by regular cleaning they do become rather clogged and if I may say so smelly.

In this event where I have the maintenance contract on a commercial kitchen I employ the services of a pro cleaning company, they have all the up to date regulations and use the state of the art chemical cleaning solutions that are available.

The bonus to me and my clients are that they will provide certificates that will comply with all the known regulatory controls for legionaires,e-coli, and any other major health issue associated with food outlets.

The cleaning company I use also clean ultra sound systems in hospitals as well as x-ray rooms and theaters. So they should be good.

If you are asked to take on the work say yes, but like me get a proffesional team in to do the job.

 

[extension15]

Mm........

 

[green-hornet]

:^OMnn I wish my cleaners wher that cheap

 

[extension15]

:^OMnn I wish my cleaners wher that cheap

I'm trying to be realistic..

:coat

 

[green-hornet]

I think for the commercial side I have to quote at least

 

[rexbailey]

Sounds like a reasonable price for the hour dont know too much about the inner workings of fans etc and what the general problems that occur are but would definatly feel like i was getting a good price if i were to pay for fan cleaning especially as summer is upon us atm fans are life saver definatly somthing to look into

 

[septiclecky]

Mm........

 

[lukamus]

I have had to clean the fan at a local pizza hut whilst cleaning the whole vent system, there were only 4 10mm bolts holding the blades on , i pulled it off and stuck it in there pot was a fue times, i also used this Brilo oven cleaner acid stuff for the harder grime and grease.. took me anout 20mins to do lthe whole lot so the simple fans are a pieace of cake, altho i cant comment on any more complex fan/exstraction systems...