Restaurant Hood Cleaning in Huntsville, AL
Complete kitchen exhaust system cleaning for restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals, hotels, and commercial kitchens in Huntsville and Madison County. NFPA 96-compliant service with certified documentation at every visit.
We clean the full exhaust system from filter to fan: hood plenum, baffle filters, grease trays, duct interior, rooftop exhaust fan, and surrounding areas. Every service includes a cleaning certificate and written report for fire marshal inspections and insurance records.
Every Component of Your Kitchen Exhaust System
NFPA 96 requires cleaning of the complete exhaust system, not just the visible hood interior. Here is exactly what a compliant cleaning covers.
Hood Canopy & Plenum
The full interior of the hood canopy, including the plenum chamber where grease accumulates behind the filters. We clean from the top of the plenum to the grease collection gutters.
Baffle Filters
Removed from the hood, degreased in a hot-water caustic solution, inspected for damage, and reinstalled. Filters with bent baffles or missing sections are replaced.
Grease Drip Cups & Trays
Emptied, cleaned, and reinstalled. Overflowing grease cups are a common fire code violation and a primary source of grease entering the duct system.
Exhaust Duct Interior
Cleaned from the hood collar as far as access allows using extension tools. Access panels are installed in sections that cannot otherwise be reached. Duct interior is cleaned to bare metal or stainless.
Exhaust Fan Wheel & Housing
The exhaust fan on the rooftop is disassembled (or tilted using a hinge kit), and the fan wheel, scroll housing, intake screen, and drain are all degreased.
Rooftop Area
Grease spills and overflow around the fan base are cleaned. Containment system condition is checked; installation recommended if not present.
Service Documentation
Cleaning certificate affixed to the hood (date, technician, next service). Written service report with before/after grease levels, all components serviced, and a copy provided to the operator.
Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Under NFPA 96 (2024 Edition)
NFPA 96 is the national standard for commercial kitchen exhaust systems. In Alabama, it is adopted and enforced by local fire marshals including Huntsville Fire & Rescue. The standard has two distinct requirements that many operators confuse.
Table 12.4: Inspection Schedule. Sets minimum inspection frequency by kitchen type (monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually). This is the schedule you are required to maintain as a documented cleaning record.
Section 12.6.1.1: Grease Depth Triggers. Cleaning is required any time grease depth exceeds 0.002 inches on hoods, filters, fans, or duct walls, regardless of when the last scheduled service was performed. High-volume kitchens often reach this threshold before their scheduled quarterly date.
Section 12.6.2: Proactive Maintenance. Systems must be maintained before surfaces become heavily contaminated with grease. This means scheduled cleaning is required even if grease depth has not yet reached the trigger threshold.
The 2024 edition also expanded monthly cleaning requirements to operations running more than 16 hours per day, regardless of fuel type. Late-night and 24-hour operators in Huntsville should verify their current schedule.
Who Inspects Your Kitchen in Huntsville and Madison County
Huntsville Fire & Rescue
Enforces NFPA 96 for all commercial kitchens in the City of Huntsville and Madison County. Inspectors check for a current cleaning certificate on the hood during routine kitchen inspections.
Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH)
Inspects food establishments under Chapter 420-3-22, which incorporates FDA Food Code standards for ventilation equipment maintenance. Overdue hood cleaning can result in a food safety violation at your next ADPH inspection.
Insurance Coverage
Commercial property policies covering grease fires typically require documented cleaning at the NFPA 96 schedule for your kitchen type. A claim following a grease fire can be denied if records show overdue service.
Franchise & Lease Requirements
Many national restaurant franchise agreements and commercial landlord leases require certified annual (or more frequent) hood cleaning and documentation. Our certificates satisfy the most common franchise operator requirements.
Hood Cleaning Cost in Huntsville, AL
Pricing varies by system size, cooking volume, duct length, and service history. A system that has been regularly maintained is significantly faster and less expensive to clean than one that has gone 18+ months without service.
We provide a firm written quote before any work begins. Annual service contracts (covering the required number of visits per year for your kitchen type) reduce per-visit cost by 10-15% for most operators.
Full Cost Breakdown →Service Area: Huntsville, AL and Surrounding Communities
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Restaurant Hood Cleaning FAQ
What does restaurant hood cleaning include?
A complete service covers the full exhaust system: hood canopy interior, baffle filters (cleaned or replaced), grease drip cups and trays, visible interior duct, exhaust fan wheel and housing, the rooftop fan base and surrounding area, and full compliance documentation.
How is the cleaning frequency determined for my Huntsville restaurant?
NFPA 96 Table 12.4 sets four tiers based on cooking type and volume: monthly for solid-fuel operations (wood, charcoal), quarterly for high-volume or 24-hour kitchens, semi-annually for most full-service restaurants, and annually for low-volume or seasonal operations. We assess your kitchen and confirm the correct schedule in writing.
What documentation do I receive after the cleaning?
A dated cleaning certificate affixed to the hood, plus a written service report with grease levels documented before and after service, all components cleaned, technician name and CHDCA certification number, and the date the next service is due. This is the standard documentation Huntsville Fire & Rescue inspectors look for.
How long does a restaurant hood cleaning take?
A single-hood cafe system typically takes 2-3 hours. A full-service restaurant with multiple hoods and a rooftop fan usually takes 4-6 hours. We schedule during off-hours (overnight or early morning) so your kitchen is ready before the next service.
Can I combine hood cleaning with grease duct or exhaust fan service?
Yes. Most of our clients schedule a complete system service: hood cleaning, duct interior, exhaust fan, and rooftop containment check in a single visit. This is more efficient and ensures every component is documented on the same service report.
What happens if there is heavy grease buildup in my duct system?
Heavy buildup in the duct interior is cleaned using high-pressure hot water degreasing and scrapers. If the buildup is severe or the duct is very long, we install access panels to ensure complete coverage. Panels are permanently welded and become part of your system for future service access.
Schedule Your Hood Cleaning in Huntsville, AL
NFPA 96-compliant service with same-week availability. Call or request a quote online.