Inspect the Inspectors: How to Hold Your Hood Cleaners Accountable

Tue Oct 28 2025

NFPA 96 gives owners the responsibility to oversee hood cleaners. Here’s a practical checklist for verifying their work and staying compliant.

Hiring a certified hood cleaner isn’t enough. NFPA 96 requires that all interior surfaces be accessible and cleaned (see NFPA 96: 4.1.8). That means access panels, duct joints, and fan blades — not just the hood canopy.

Use this accountability checklist after every service:

• Review the after-service report in detail
• Look for before/after photos of ducts and fans
• Confirm that access panels were opened and cleaned
• Check that grease was properly contained on the roof

If your cleaner resists transparency, it’s time to find a new partner. Accountability is the difference between a safe kitchen and a costly headline.