Commercial kitchen hood degreasing: what the regulations expect from you
Cleaning frequency, traceability, operator responsibility: an overview of the obligations governing the cleaning of hoods and extraction ductwork in professional kitchens.
A fouled hood is first and foremost a fire risk: grease deposited in the extraction network is fuel, and a flare-up on a stove spreads through the ducts. That is why cleaning hoods and ducts is not merely a hygiene matter but a regulated obligation for the operator.
Who is responsible?
The operator of the establishment. It is up to them to have the maintenance carried out, to set its frequency according to the kitchen’s actual use, and to be able to prove it to the safety commission, to their insurer, or in the event of a claim.
How often?
The regulations applicable to buildings open to the public require regular cleaning of filters, hoods and extraction ducts; professional standards and insurance contracts generally specify periodicities according to the intensity of use. In practice, three levels are distinguished:
- Grease filters: very frequent cleaning, often weekly, by kitchen staff.
- The hood and plenum: periodic degreasing by a contractor, with access to the hidden parts.
- The duct network and extraction motor: complete degreasing at a frequency matched to the cooking volume. A fast-food kitchen does not have the same profile as a school canteen.
Traceability, as much as cleaning
An undocumented cleaning does not exist in an inspector’s eyes. Each intervention must produce a dated report listing the elements treated, with before/after photos of the critical points (bends, access hatches, motor). That is the file you will be asked for.
What we check during a maintenance visit
- Network accessibility: without inspection hatches, part of the duct is never cleaned.
- The condition of the extraction motor: grease on the impeller degrades airflow and overheats the motor.
- Airflow after the intervention: a clean network must regain its performance, and we measure it.
If in doubt about your installation’s compliance, an assessment with a camera inspection of the network tells you exactly where you stand before the safety commission’s next visit.