For the exhaust hood system in a commercial kitchen to be in compliance with local and national fire codes, it needs routine cleaning and regular maintenance. Neglecting these “chores” can become a very expensive mistake. Here are some important reasons why your kitchen hood system should be kept clean and well-maintained at all times.
To Prevent Fires
A commercial kitchen hood system is used to draw grease, oil, and smoke away from populated areas of the building and direct it towards filters that will keep it out of the air. These pollutants build up inside the hood system and on the filters, creating a fire hazard when the build-up reaches a critical point. This build up is extremely flammable and sticks to everything like glue, making it very difficult to remove without the proper equipment.
To reduce the risk of fires in the building, this layer of smoke, soot, and grease should be removed completely on a regular schedule. This schedule should be based on the amount of time the kitchen is in operation and the volume of cooking being done on a regular basis. Kitchens with high volumes of cooking that create large amounts of smoke or focus on frying will need to have their hood systems cleaned more frequently.
To Improve Air Quality
A commercial kitchen hood system removes air contaminated with dangerous particulates from the kitchen area, replacing it with the fresh air necessary to keep the staff healthy and productive. Neglecting to have the kitchen hood system cleaned properly can cause these contaminates to remain in the kitchen area, creating a health hazard for anyone that breathes them in. Merely changing the filters is not enough, as these contaminates can build up in other areas of the hood system as well.
It is important for the hood system in the kitchen area to be able to move the volume of air necessary to keep these contaminates out of circulation. To do that, it has to be big enough, have the proper filters installed, and be cleaned regularly to remove anything that has built up in the system. A professional with experience cleaning commercial kitchen hood systems will be able to help you determine whether your current kitchen hood is right for your needs and how often it should be cleaned for optimal performance.
To Remain In Compliance
Building inspectors and insurance companies require that commercial kitchen hoods be clean and maintained properly to remain in compliance with fire safety codes. If an inspection determines that the system is not in compliance with all applicable safety codes, it could result in expensive fines or the closure of the business. Getting the system back up to code after this can be a long and costly process.
The best way to avoid this is to ensure that the kitchen hood system remains in compliance at all times with regular cleaning and maintenance. By creating a regular schedule for cleaning and maintaining the system, you ensure that important maintenance tasks are not overlooked and may uncover issues occurring with the system during the routine inspections. It will also lessen the risk of the insurance company increasing your premiums or dropping your coverage altogether.
Why Choose A Professional Cleaning Service?
Properly cleaning a commercial kitchen hood system can be a difficult and time consuming task. Special chemicals and cleaning solutions must be used to cut through the grease and soot in the system effectively and the strength of these solutions can pose a danger to those using them if they are not properly protected. Properly cleaning the system will also involve taking the unit apart to reach crucial areas and putting it back together correctly.
Someone that is unfamiliar with the inner workings of a commercial kitchen hood system may miss signs of damage or corrosion that indicate an issue with the system. If these signs are not acted upon quickly, it could result in extensive damage and costly repairs that could have been avoided with some simple repairs. A professional will inspect all areas of the hood system for problems and will be able to formulate a plan for repairing any issues found.
Another reason to hire a professional to clean your kitchen hood system is they already have in-depth knowledge of all of the relevant fire and safety codes regarding the maintenance and operation of these types of systems. Some of the rules and regulations can be quite intricate and lengthy, while a mistake in interpreting a statute can cost a lot of money. Hiring an expert will ensure that the cleaning and maintenance of the system is done efficiently and correctly.
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