Commercial kitchens must abide by many rules, many of which are related specifically to safety. One of the most important is the simple yet often neglected task of cleaning the vent hood. Whether in a hospital, a restaurant, or a school, hood cleaning is critical to the safety of everyone inside the building — and it’s key to complying with basic regulations. The fire safety maintenance team at Fire Protection Specialists, based in Bangor, WI, is here to share three reasons why it’s such an important step to take.

3 Reasons Hood Cleaning Is Important

1. Safety

More than anything else, you want everyone and everything to be safe. Unfortunately, a dirty, grime-infested hood poses a major fire hazard. This is because the hood is designed to hold an accumulation of smoke and debris inside. Eventually, layers of grease develop. When it gets too hot, the grease could start a dangerous fire. Keeping the hood clean can prevent the need for using fire extinguishers in the kitchen and suffering extensive damage.

2. Compliance

Not only is it a safety mechanism, but hood cleaning is also the law! By keeping it clean, you’re staying in compliance with local ordinances and meeting all of the demands set forth to keep a safe and healthy commercial kitchen.

3. Costs

In that same vein, you’ll have to pay the consequences if, during a routine inspection, it’s discovered that the hood is dirty. You may be dealt a hefty fine or risk being shut down. Either way, your insurance rates will likely go up, too. This is because insurance companies require their clients to meet certain standards and abide by the law. If you violate this basic requirement, you may risk paying a higher premium or losing the coverage.

Don’t allow these entirely preventable pitfalls to hinder your business. Hire a professional for regular hood cleaning so that you can be confident your kitchen is up to code and completely safe. If you’re interested in learning more about fire safety maintenance, you can turn to the team at Fire Protection Specialists for information. Visit their website to learn more about fire protection services, including hood cleaning, or call (800) 658-9463.