Every restaurant owner should know fire code guidelines for their commercial kitchen, especially when it comes to their exhaust system (range hoods). If these are not properly cleaned and inspected on a regular basis, this can result in a serious fire, damaging your entire kitchen and restaurant. If you do not know your state’s commercial kitchen fire codes, just read below (click on the link at the end of the summary to read about it in more detail).

You are required to have your commercial kitchens exhaust systems cleaned by a trained, qualified and certified person.

The responsibility for inspection, maintenance, and cleanliness of the ventilation control and fire protection of the commercial cooking operations must be the responsibility of the owner.

All interior surfaces of exhaust system must be accessible for cleaning and inspection purposes.

Fans must be provided with safe access and a work surface for inspection and cleaning.

Approved upblast fans with motors surrounded by the airstream must be hinged, supplied with flexible weatherproof electrical cable and service hold-open retainers.

The entire exhaust system must be inspected for grease buildup by a trained, qualified and certified person.

Schedule of Inspection:

(Monthly): Systems serving high-volume cooking operations.

(Quarterly): Systems serving moderate-volume cooking operations.

(Semiannually): Systems serving low-volume cooking operations.

(Annually): When the exhaust system is found to be contaminated with deposits from grease-laden vapors.

Hoods, grease removal devices, fans, and ducts must be cleaned at frequently to remove combustible contamination prior to surfaces becoming heavily contaminated with grease or oily sludge.

After the exhaust system is cleaned, it must not be coated with powder or other substances.

A certificate showing the name of the servicing company, name of the person performing the work and date or inspection must be provided on the premise for an exhaust cleaning service.

Nebraska Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Requirements