NFPA 96 Hood Cleaning Schedule: How Often Should You Clean Your Kitchen Hood?
Stay Fire-Safe, Compliant, and Avoid Costly Fines
As a restaurant owner, food truck operator, or commercial kitchen manager, one of the most critical tasks for maintaining a safe workspace is keeping your exhaust hood system clean.
A grease-laden hood and exhaust system isn’t just unsanitary—it’s a fire hazard waiting to happen. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 96, failure to clean kitchen exhaust systems regularly is one of the leading causes of restaurant fires.
But how often should you schedule a professional hood cleaning? The NFPA 96 Hood Cleaning Schedule sets clear guidelines based on your type of cooking operation.
In this article, we’ll explain how often you need hood cleaning, why it’s essential, and how to make it easier with a hassle-free cleaning program.
🔥 Why Is Hood Cleaning So Important?
A commercial kitchen’s exhaust system is responsible for removing smoke, grease, and airborne contaminants. Over time, grease and oil build up inside the hood, ducts, and exhaust fan, leading to serious risks:
❌ Fire Hazards
- Grease is highly flammable and can ignite with even a small flare-up.
- The exhaust system can act like a fire highway, spreading flames rapidly.
❌ Poor Ventilation & Air Quality
- Grease buildup restricts airflow, causing smoke, heat, and odor issues.
- Poor ventilation can lead to health code violations and unhappy customers.
❌ Health & Fire Code Violations
- NFPA 96 requires regular cleaning to prevent fires.
- Failure to comply can result in fines, insurance issues, or even business closure.
Keeping your hood system clean isn’t just about compliance—it’s about safety, efficiency, and protecting your business.
📅 NFPA 96 Hood Cleaning Schedule: How Often Do You Need Cleaning?
The NFPA 96 Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations outlines the minimum hood cleaning frequency based on cooking type and volume:
| Type of Cooking Operation | Hood Cleaning Frequency |
|---|---|
| Solid Fuel Cooking (Wood-burning stoves, charcoal grills) | Monthly |
| High-Volume Cooking (Fast food, 24-hour diners, wok cooking, charbroiling) | Quarterly (Every 3 Months) |
| Moderate-Volume Cooking (Sit-down restaurants, cafeterias) | Semi-Annually (Every 6 Months) |
| Low-Volume Cooking (Churches, seasonal kitchens, senior centers) | Annually (Once a Year) |
If you’re unsure where your kitchen falls, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and schedule regular professional inspections.
💨 What Does Professional Hood Cleaning Include?
At Velocity Hood Cleaning, we follow a thorough NFPA 96-compliant process to keep your kitchen exhaust system clean and fire-safe:
✅ Pre-Inspection & Compliance Check – Identify grease buildup & fire hazards.
✅ Deep Cleaning of Hoods, Ducts, and Exhaust Fans – Removes all grease residue.
✅ Rooftop Grease Containment Maintenance – Prevents grease from damaging your roof.
✅ Polishing & Sanitization – Your hood will look clean, professional, and compliant.
✅ Before & After Photos & Compliance Sticker – Proof for fire inspectors & insurance companies.
💰 How to Make Hood Cleaning Easy & Affordable
Many restaurant owners struggle with budgeting for cleaning costs—which is why we offer our Weekly Payment Program & Filter Exchange Program:
1️⃣ Weekly Payment Plan → Small, Predictable Payments
- No large one-time cleaning bills.
- Affordable weekly payments instead of lump sums.
- Priority scheduling for recurring customers.
- 🔗 Learn More
2️⃣ Weekly Filter Exchange Program → Includes 1 FREE Hood Cleaning Per Year
- Regular grease filter replacements prevent excessive buildup.
- Improves airflow & fire safety.
- As a bonus, you get 1 FREE hood cleaning per year!
- 🔗 Learn More
3️⃣ The Ultimate Kitchen Maintenance Plan → Includes 2 FREE Hood Cleanings Per Year
- Includes Weekly Grease Filter Exchange + Quarterly Appliance Steam Cleaning.
- Get deep-cleaned equipment & hood maintenance in one plan.
- Comes with 2 FREE Hood Cleanings per year!
- 🔗 Learn More
🔥 Choose the plan that fits your business and never worry about compliance again!🔥
📞 Book Your Professional Hood Cleaning Today!
Don’t wait until grease buildup becomes a fire hazard. If your last cleaning was more than 6 months ago, you may already be out of compliance.
📞 Call Velocity Hood Cleaning: (425) 879-6240
🔥 Stay Fire-Safe. Stay NFPA 96 Compliant. Keep Your Kitchen Running Smoothly. 🔥