Caught in the Middle: Hood Cleaners vs. Restaurant Owners

Tue Oct 14 2025

Who’s responsible when the hood cleaners cut corners? Spoiler: It’s not the cleaner that the fire marshal comes looking for.

Hood cleaning companies often work late at night, when no managers are present. If shortcuts are taken — ducts skipped, fans left unhinged, reports forged — who pays the price?

According to NFPA 96, the owner is ultimately responsible for the entire exhaust system’s cleanliness. That means it’s on you to inspect the work, review the reports, and ensure compliance — even if the contractor dropped the ball.

The fire marshal won’t accept “but we hired a cleaner” as an excuse.