Restaurant kitchen hood cleaning is an important aspect of running a business. It will help you avoid fires and other disasters that can be caused by a dirty hood. In addition, it will improve the air quality in your restaurant.
Many restaurants have exhaust fans, but the hood itself isn’t always cleaned. A good hood cleaning company will remove the grease and other contaminants from the vent hoods. Cleaners also clean the fan blades and duct work. They also clean and polish the hoods to look as new as possible.
The National Fire Protection Association Standard 96 (NFPA 96) is the standard for hood cleaning in the United States. The standard dictates that commercial hoods should be cleaned on a regular basis. However, the frequency of the cleaning depends on the type of food you are cooking, as well as the volume of grease laden vapors that are drawn up through the hood plenum.
When you hire a cleaning service to clean your hood, you will be expected to give them access to your roof. This is especially true if you have a low profile hood. Typically, a hood with a low profile has a dual motor and a dual fan system.
Before cleaning the roof, your hood cleaning service will need to remove the fan and the base of the hood to allow access to the duct work. After the fan is removed, the hood can be power washed using a degreasing chemical. Once the hood is clean, the fan belt may need to be replaced.
To prevent buildup of grease, the hood should be covered in plastic. A hood cleaner will remove any built up grease and dispose of it in a separate container. Grease can be very slippery. Also, grease cups should be removed and poured into a separate container.
A reputable hood cleaning service will also thoroughly clean the baffle filters and the duct work that leads from the hood to the roof. Hood cleaners will also wipe down the walls and floor. Some companies will use pressure washers to wash away grease.
A hood cleaner will need a valid driver’s license and will also be expected to complete a background check and drug test. Other duties include completing a service report and completing any other company policies.
NFPA 96 requires that restaurant owners keep the Hood Cleaning kitchen hoods clean. Investing in a regular hood cleaning operation will help to ensure that your hoods and other parts of your kitchen are in compliance with the law.
Keeping your hoods and other parts of your duct work in proper condition can save you money in the long run. A good hood cleaning company will perform an inspection of your duct work to determine any damage or anomalies. Their technicians will then remove any debris from the ducts, the fans, and the baffle filters. If any problems are found, they will fix them to prevent future damage.
NFPA 96 states that the hood should be cleaned quarterly or more frequently depending on the volume of grease laden vapors drawn up through the hood plenum. Cleaning the hood should not disrupt the operation of the restaurant.