Certified Expertise: Protecting Your Facility’s Kitchen Exhaust System

For facility managers overseeing diverse properties – from hospitals and office complexes to hotels and educational institutions – the operational demands are constant. In the midst of managing various systems and services, it can be easy to underestimate the critical importance of a seemingly simple component: the kitchen exhaust system. However, statistics paint a stark picture: commercial cooking equipment is the leading cause of fires in eating and drinking establishments.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), from 2014-2018, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 7,410 structure fires per year in these properties, resulting in significant civilian injuries and millions of dollars in property damage. A substantial portion of these fires involve or spread through the kitchen exhaust system due to accumulated grease.

While there’s no way to completely eliminate fire risk, you as a facility manager can help reduce the risk by working with a professional kitchen exhaust cleaning and maintenance company. Doing so will take one more responsibility off your plate while giving you and your team peace of mind that your facility’s kitchen has been cleaned thoroughly and in accordance with local and national regulations.

Professional Crews Make Sure Out-of-Sight Areas Aren’t out of Mind
Exhaust systems are at the very center of any facility’s kitchen; routine cleaning and maintenance are required to keep the kitchen running smoothly. However, these tasks are often overlooked since the components that require the most attention are typically out of sight. This line of thought can be particularly concerning since fires originating in the exhaust hood can quickly spread throughout the entire system.

Kitchen exhaust systems can be challenging to clean, which is why it’s vital to hire a certified technician who strictly adheres to industry benchmarks like the NFPA 96 Standard during cleanings and inspections. A shiny exhaust hood might give the impression that your system has been thoroughly cleaned, but it doesn’t guarantee that hard-to-reach – and even harder-to-see – areas received the same level of care and attention.

Simply put, relying on surface-level kitchen exhaust cleaning and maintenance services can result in unnecessary damage when small problems are missed and allowed to escalate into larger ones. Fortunately, this can be avoided when you partner with a crew that is dedicated to cleaning the entire system every time. This comprehensive approach will in turn help you keep your facility’s exhaust system cleaner, safer, and compliant with local and national standards.

Choosing the Right Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Company
Regardless of whether your facility’s kitchen is used occasionally or constantly, it’s essential to hire a knowledgeable team to perform routine kitchen exhaust cleaning and maintenance services. As you narrow down your search for a reliable kitchen exhaust cleaning company, be sure to choose one that:

• Possesses Knowledge of Pertinent Codes & Standards: Needless to say, the company you trust with the cleanliness and compliance of your facility’s kitchen exhaust system should be well-versed in federal, state, and local regulations. This includes industry standards like the NFPA 96 Standard and IKECA ANSI C-10 Standard.
• Works With You To Establish Proactive Scheduling: The recommended frequency for kitchen exhaust maintenance depends greatly on both cooking type and how often it occurs. A knowledgeable kitchen exhaust cleaning company will suggest proactive cleaning and maintenance schedules tailored to the needs of your facility’s kitchen. That way, you can continue focusing on the daily demands of your business with the peace of mind that your facility’s kitchen is clean and up to code.
• Lets Their Work Do the Talking: While the most critical components of your kitchen exhaust system are out of sight, professional kitchen exhaust cleaning companies will provide before and after photo reports so you can see their hard work for yourself. As a result, you can rest assured that your entire system has been cleaned thoroughly and effectively – without having to solely take a technician at their word.

Hire a Knowledgeable Team for Kitchen Cleanliness & Compliance
While your facility’s kitchen can easily become an afterthought, you can avoid this by partnering with a professional kitchen exhaust cleaning and maintenance company. Doing so will help minimize the risk of kitchen fires in your facility while keeping your kitchen cleaner, compliant, and running smoothly.

Nathan Willard is the brand president of HOODZ International in Ann Arbor, Mich. HOODZ is a recognized leader in the commercial kitchen exhaust system cleaning and preventive maintenance industry.