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  • NFPA 96 · Fire Code Compliance

What Is NFPA 96?

NFPA 96 is the National Fire Protection Association Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations. It sets the mandatory fire-safety rules for restaurant hood exhaust systems, grease ductwork, fans, air control, fire prevention, and cleaning frequency. All Maryland restaurants must follow NFPA 96 to pass Fire Marshal inspections, Health Department inspections, and insurance compliance checks.

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NFPA 96

Compliant

24/7

Emergency

MD

Statewide

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Exhaust System Cleaning

Cleaning Frequency Table

Hood System Requirements

Ventilation Requirements

Grease Filter Requirements

Fire Marshal Inspector Requirements

Maryland Frequency

NFPA 96 Compliance Checklist (2025)

Exhaust System Cleaning

NFPA 96 §11.6.2 requires the ENTIRE system to be cleaned including:
  • Hood interior & exterior

01

  • Grease filters

02

  • Plenum

03

  • Horizontal & vertical ducts

04

  • Rooftop exhaust fan + blades

05

  • Fan housing & fan bowl

06

  • Grease containment system

07

  • Access panel

08

  • Drip trays

09

Required Cleaning Frequency

NFPA 96 sets minimum cleaning frequency based on cooking operations:

Cleaning Frequency

Cooking Operation Type

Typical Businesses / Fire Risk

Monthly

  • Highest Risk

Solid-fuel (wood/charcoal), heavy grease, fried chicken, hibachi

Low-volume operations — Modern cooking. High-volume cooking (wings, takeout, diners, fast food)

Typical Businesses: wood-fired pizza, charcoal grill, Brazilian steakhouse, BBQ smokehouse, high-temp wok, tandoor.

Fire Risk: Highest grease loading, rapid duct buildup, strong Fire Marshal scrutiny.

Quarterly

  • High Risk

High volume cooking — 24 hour, trial, boiling and wok operation

Typical Businesses: casual dine-in restaurants, hotel kitchens, mid-volume restaurants.

Fire Risk: Moderate grease load, must still show bare-metal cleaning in ducts.

Semi Annual

  • Moderate Risk

Low-volume operations — Modern cooking. High-volume cooking (wings, takeout, diners, fast food)

Typical Businesses: fried chicken chains, wings, diners open late, busy takeout kitchens, franchise burger/fast-food.

Fire Risk: Heavy daily use, continuous fryers, frequent inspections.

Semi Annual

  • Low Risk

Low volume cooking (churches, daycares). Non-grease cooking (churches, daycares)

Typical Businesses: churches, daycares, community centers with limited cooking.

Fire Risk: Minimal grease, but NFPA 96 still requires documented cleaning.

IMPORTANT: These frequencies are NFPA 96 minimums. Local Maryland Fire Marshals can require more frequent cleaning based on inspections. HydroForce Power Washing LLC helps set the right schedule for each specific kitchen.

Hood System Requirements

NFPA 96 mandates specific requirements for commercial kitchen exhaust hood systems:
REQ.01

Hood must be constructed of minimum 18-gauge steel or equivalent

REQ.02

All seems must be welded or liquid tight

REQ.03
Hood interior must be accessible for cleaning and inspection
REQ.04
Grease containment system must be properly installed and maintained
REQ.05
Drip trays must be present and functional
REQ.06
Access panels must be provided for ductwork inspection
REQ.07
Hood must extend beyond cooking equipment by minimum 6 inches on all sides
REQ.08
All surfaces must be cleaned during service

Ventilation Requirements

Proper ventilation is critical for fire safety and NFPA 96 compliance:
NEG. PRESSURE
-0.05 in.wc
AIRFLOW · CFM
  • ACTIVE

01

Exhaust fan must pull sufficient CFM to remove grease vapor effectively

02

Ductwork must be welded construction and fire-rated per NFPA 96 standards

03

No air leaks allowed at seams, joints, or connections

04

Rooftop exhaust fan must have a hinge kit installed for maintenance access

05

Grease must not pool on roof surfaces or around fan housing

06

Fan blades must be cleaned during each service

07

Fan housing and fan bowl must be free of grease accumulation

08

Ventilation system must maintain negative pressure in hood

09

Make-up air system must be properly balanced with exhaust

Grease Filter Requirements

  • UL 1046 and NFPA 96 baffle filters only
  • No mesh filters allowed
  • Filters must be installed at a 45° angle
  • No gaps between filters
  • Tracks must be secure and mounted correctly
✓ Approved

UL 1046 and NFPA 96

Baffle Filter

✓ Approved

UL 1046 & NFPA 96

spark arrestor filter

✕ Not Allowed
Mesh Filter
Fire hazard · Non-compliant

Fire Marshal Inspector Requirements

NFPA 96 compliant cleaning services must provide proper documentation for Fire Marshal inspections:
  • Before/After cleaning photos must be issued and dated
  • Technician must be certified & Insured with credentials
  • Service report must indicate system was cleaned to bare metal
  • Any deficiencies or required repairs must be documented
  • NFPA 96 inspection sticker must be placed on hood or on premise with service date
  • Invoice must list all components cleaned (hood, ducts, fan, filters, etc.)
  • Next scheduled service date must be clearly marked
  • Compliance certificate must be provided for inspection records
  • NFPA 96
CERT.NO 2025-0847
Certificate of

Compliance

Facility
Restaurant Kitchen
Service Date
Documented
Technician
Certified ✓
Next Service
Scheduled
Approved

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Our Services

Commercial Appliance Cleaning Services

Kitchen Exhaust Hood Cleaning

Full hood, plenum and interior cleaned to bare metal.

Kitchen Exhaust Hood Cleaning

Full hood, plenum and interior cleaned to bare metal.

Kitchen Exhaust Hood Cleaning

Full hood, plenum and interior cleaned to bare metal.

Kitchen Exhaust Hood Cleaning

Full hood, plenum and interior cleaned to bare metal.

Kitchen Exhaust Hood Cleaning

Full hood, plenum and interior cleaned to bare metal.

Kitchen Exhaust Hood Cleaning

Full hood, plenum and interior cleaned to bare metal.

Kitchen Exhaust Hood Cleaning

Full hood, plenum and interior cleaned to bare metal.

Kitchen Exhaust Hood Cleaning

Full hood, plenum and interior cleaned to bare metal.

Before & After

Cleaned to Bare Metal. Documented.

Hood Interior

NFPA 96 ✓

Rooftop Fan

NFPA 96 ✓

Grease Duct

NFPA 96 ✓

Stay NFPA 96 Compliant & Pass Inspection

Certified Maryland commercial kitchen cleaning, documented to Fire Marshal standards.
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NFPA 96 Compliance Statement: HydroForce Power Washing LLC performs commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning to NFPA 96 standards, providing full documentation, before/after photos, and compliance certificates for Maryland Fire Marshal inspections.

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  • NFPA 96 Certified · Maryland