Who Cleans Your Hoods? The Accountability Gap in Restaurant Fire Safety

Wed Oct 01 2025

Fire Prevention Month spotlight: Too many restaurants trust hood cleaners without checking reports or compliance. Here’s why your signature on that after-service report matters more than you think.

When was the last time you actually read the after-service report from your hood cleaning company? For too many restaurant operators, that paperwork is just another page in the stack — signed, filed, and forgotten.

But here’s the truth: NFPA 96 makes the owner ultimately responsible for exhaust system cleanliness and fire safety. If your cleaner skips ductwork, ignores fan blades, or doesn’t note serious grease accumulation, you are still on the hook.

This October, during Fire Prevention Month, we’ll share case studies where complacency and blind trust turned into costly fires — and show how holding your cleaners accountable can keep your kitchen safe.