WHAT IS HOOD CLEANING?

Hood cleaning is cleaning and maintaining a kitchen exhaust or ventilation system to comply with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and your Regional Environmental Health Department.

The Mountain West Hood Service includes the maintenance and cleaning of (but is not limited to) the following:

–  Exhaust ductwork and fans

– The underside of the hood

– Hood filters

– The fresh air intake system (the plenum)

The 3 Main Factors when considering our services:

How often does the National Fire Protection Association and your Regional Environment Health Department require your hood to be cleaned?

How dirty are my hoods?  Using a grease depth gauge as prescribed by the International Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Association.

What (if any) additional local fire codes are applicable?

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOUR HOODS BE SERVICED?

According to NFPA 96 standards, commercial hoods should be inspected at intervals ranging from monthly to annually, depending on usage frequency. For instance, high-usage environments like restaurants or manufacturing facilities typically require inspections every 1-3 months, whereas lower-usage establishments such as nursing homes or churches may only need inspections every six months to once per year.

However, NFPA 96 guidelines are just one factor. You may notice grease accumulation on your hood filters, indicating the need for cleaning sooner than scheduled. To assess grease levels, you can use a depth gauge comb to determine if buildup exceeds acceptable micron levels.

Furthermore, local regulations in your city or county may require more frequent cleanings beyond the NFPA 96 standards. It’s important to stay compliant with both national and local guidelines to ensure the safety and efficiency of your facility.

WHY IS THE SERVICING OF YOUR HOOD IS SO IMPORTANT?

Neglecting regular hood cleaning not only jeopardizes compliance—potentially resulting in costly fines and closures—but also poses significant risks to your property, equipment, and staff.

The most critical danger is fire. Grease is highly flammable, and as it accumulates, the risk of a grease fire increases substantially.

Additionally, failing to clean hoods can lead to equipment damage. As grease builds up in the filters, their efficiency decreases. This allows more grease to circulate in the air and settle on machinery, causing it to overwork and leading to premature wear and tear.

Finally, there’s the health impact. Dirty hoods contribute to poor indoor air quality, affecting the well-being of your employees and increasing absenteeism due to illness. It can also result in contamination of food products, compromising both quality and safety.

Summary:

Hood Servicing is crucial for maintaining safety, cleanliness, and compliance. At Mountain West, we’re committed to ensuring your space receives the attention it deserves. With our dedicated services, we help you meet the highest standards of facility health and regulatory compliance across Southwest Colorado, protecting both your business and the people within.