Requirements of Kitchen Exhaust Duct Cleaning

When it comes to kitchen exhaust cleaning, many people immediately think of the exhaust hood and filters. While these are certainly important, this type of cleaning focuses beyond the equipment located in one particular room or space. For restaurants, bars, and other businesses that have a kitchen, it is imperative for this entire system to be clean.

As part of kitchen exhaust duct cleaning, several key components are covered. For instance, kitchen exhaust system cleaning includes cleaning the hood, filters, grease duct access doors, the grease duct interior, and the rest of the system all the way to the exhaust fan discharge . For kitchen exhaust or grease duct cleaning, professional cleaning is imperative.

Fire Hazards

kitchen exhaust duct, or grease duct, systems pose a serious risk for fire. Even a smaller fire can have a devastating effect on a business. Unfortunately, without a recent Exhaust System cleaning certificate, insurance companies may decline to pay out. That means that the owner of the business must pay for damages out of pocket. When finances are not available and for smaller businesses, a fire can permanently shut a company down.

Owners of businesses with kitchens have a legal responsibility to prevent grease fires. As part of building codes and fire prevention standards, it is required that kitchen exhaust systems must be inspected for fire hazards. Depending on the types of cooking equipment being used, and how often the exhaust system is used, an inspection and cleaning must be carried out at least annually, sometimes as often as monthly.

Hygiene

Obviously, hygiene is important throughout commercial businesses. However, it becomes critical for the kitchen areas used for food storage and preparation. According to current statistics, of all fires that break out in commercial kitchens, up to 70 percent are the result of fat and grease buildup that causes faulty ventilation.

Conclusion

Kitchen exhaust duct cleaning is something that should be done on a regular basis by a licensed and insured professional. The best way to prevent a disastrous fire is by having any buildup of grease, oil, and other flammable substances eliminated. In addition to reducing the risk of a fire and ensuring a clean kitchen, professional duct cleaning provides staff with a cooler and more comfortable environment in which to work.