Commercial kitchens are bustling, high heat environments with significant fire hazards from burning oils and foods. Grease and other cooking byproducts quickly accumulate both on cooking equipment and ventilation systems, increasing the risks of fire. As such, proper kitchen ventilation and hood cleaning should be a top priority for all restaurants and food service businesses. When performed regularly by qualified professionals, hood cleaning dramatically improves kitchen safety.
The Dangers of Grease Buildup
Kitchen exhaust hoods and ductwork capture heat, smoke, steam, and grease particles during cooking. Over time, residue accumulates on the interior surfaces. Kitchen grease is extremely flammable, especially when it turns sticky as oxidation occurs. As layers of grease deposit within the hood, ductwork, fans, and other areas, the risks of catching and spreading fire escalate. Ignore the grease long enough and a devastating kitchen fire is practically inevitable.
By contrast, a clean hood system mitigates dangers substantially. Regular professional cleanings remove built-up grease before it becomes excessive. This helps contain fires should ignition occur, preventing the spread of flames into ductwork where they could rage unchecked. Proper maintenance also ensures mechanical ventilation components continue operating efficiently for safety.
NFPA 96 Sets the Safety Standard
The National Fire Protection Association’s NFPA 96 provides strict guidelines and codes for commercial kitchen fire prevention. The standard emphasizes the importance of establishing inspection and cleaning schedules for hoods, ducts, and other equipment based on factors like hours of operation and types of cooking. Certified inspectors can recommend appropriate timetables specific to each kitchen.
Generally, NFPA 96 mandates quarterly cleanings at minimum. High volume operations producing heavy grease output must be cleaned more frequently. If neglect allows grease to accumulate over 25% of a duct’s interior surface or 1/8 inch thickness, urgent action is required. Kitchen staff must immediately halt cooking until the system is cleaned professionally and returns to a safe state compliant with codes.
In addition to quarterly scrubbings, NFPA 96 requires staff to perform routine maintenance like filter cleaning to keep hoods operating safely. Annual inspections by certified companies check that fire suppression systems function too. Follow NFPA 96 guidelines and keep documentation of all hood cleaning and repairs to prove due diligence.
The Proper Cleaning Process
Because grease is so flammable, only trained professionals should attempt to clean commercial kitchen hoods and ductwork. The process requires special equipment and hazard controls for safety:
- Secure the kitchen and isolate the hoods from active cooking areas. Professionals position ladders or scaffolding to access the entire hood structure.
- Apply degreasing agents approved for use on cooking equipment to dissolve residue buildup. Powerful commercial detergents help lift grease off surfaces when combined with hot water or steam.
- Scrub all accessible hood surfaces with non-abrasive tools. This removes layers of contamination and exposes underlying grease buildup.
- For safe duct access, cleaning crews snake rotating blades through the channels to scrape off clinging residue. High pressure hot water jets help blast away all remaining grease and contaminants.
- Use large vacuums to safely contain and remove all cleaning runoff from the ducts. This helps prevent slip hazards in kitchens or contamination around exterior vents where vapors escape.
- When the system is fully cleaned, wash it again with disinfecting detergent to sanitize and deodorize before returning to service. Confirm zero combustion hazards remain.
- Legally dispose of all collected waste. Much of the greasy runoff qualifies as hazardous material.
Hiring Qualified Commercial Hood Cleaners
With specialized equipment and intensive labor involved, professional hood cleaning services are the safest route for commercial kitchens. In addition to having proper training in efficient, code-compliant methods, third-party cleaners also take on liability risks, so kitchens don’t have to. Be sure to vet companies thoroughly before hiring.
There are no universal licensing requirements to legally offer duct cleaning services. Reputable companies earn trade certifications like those issued by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA). Certified outfits also secure specialized insurance policies protecting clients. Ask to see all relevant credentials and proof of bonding before signing contracts.
Additionally, ask candidates to outline their precise cleaning process. Professionals with experience conforming to NFPA 96 should readily describe compliance practices and prove gear like HEPA vacuums for hazardous particulate containment. Quality providers guarantee their work as meeting code and offer multi-year labor warranties. Ductwork needs remained sealed against recontamination until the next quarterly professional cleaning.
Regular Hood Inspections Ensure Ongoing Safety
In addition to scheduled deep cleanings by professionals, kitchen staff need to perform daily and weekly hood inspections too according to NFPA 96. Quick visual checks help identify red flags between professional services like:
- Heavy grease drips down filters or pooling on surfaces signal a need for immediate action before hazards escalate.
- Detached filter screens or guards also require prompt corrections to prevent infrastructure damage and safety issues.
- If exhaust fans lose efficiency from clogged or corroded parts, that indicates overdue professional repairs necessary to keep airflow and ventilation reliable.
When staff notice anything concerning, don’t ignore it. Place immediate work orders for professional repairs or emergency cleanings whenever intake and exhaust performance seem impaired. Watching for issues daily enables discovering problems before they devolve into dire situations.
Prioritize Cooking Equipment Cleaning Too
While hoods guard the perimeter, cooking equipment harbors plenty of lingering grease too. Routinely clean ovens, grills, fryers, and all food prep areas to decontaminate surfaces and remove splatter before it bakes on permanently. Food debris provides additional fuel if accidents spark flareups. Stay vigilant in keeping everything clean.
Safety Starts at the Top
Reasons may exist to put off expensive hood cleaning services, like lengthy shutdowns for peak business hours. But compromising on code compliance will eventually backfire. Kitchen fires lead to devastating profit losses from property damage, inventory destruction, lawsuits, and expensive delays during repairs.
Rather than skimping on safety requirements, build regular professional cleanings into the standard operating budget. Place standing quarterly appointments and keep enough surplus revenue accessible for emergency needs too. Make NFPA 96 compliance an unwavering top priority from ownership down through kitchen staff. Doing so protects the business, employees, and the public alike. Stay committed to safety through reliable professional hood and duct cleaning services. Life may ultimately depend on it.