NFPA 96 is the National Fire Protection Association’s standard for the ventilation control and fire protection of commercial cooking operations. It sets the minimum safety requirements for:
Why it matters:
Grease buildup is a leading cause of kitchen fires. NFPA 96 is designed to prevent fires, reduce liability, and ensure safe operation through:
Compliance ensures:
According to NFPA 96, “the entire exhaust system shall be cleaned by a properly trained, qualified, and certified company or person.”
Cleaning these systems requires specialized tools, safety protocols, and technical expertise. In-house staff typically can’t remove deep grease buildup—leaving your kitchen vulnerable to fire and code violations.
Make sure the provider offers more than just “hood cleaning.” Look for:
National Guardian provides full-system service, photo-documented reports, and has been trusted nationwide since 1977.
We clean your entire kitchen exhaust system, including:
All work is NFPA 96-compliant and includes before-and-after photo documentation.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), U.S. fire departments respond to an average of ~7,400 structure fires per year in eating and drinking establishments. Of these, the majority begin in cooking areas, and a significant portion involve flammable grease in kitchen exhaust systems. These fires cause millions in property damage annually, with common ignition points being equipment and grease buildup.
Professional exhaust system cleaning helps:
Grease fires can exceed 1,400°F, making unclean systems extremely hazardous. Incomplete or infrequent cleaning significantly increases the risk of fire spread through ducts, fans, and rooftops.
Cleaning frequency depends on:
NFPA 96 guidelines:
We’ll build a custom schedule tailored to your kitchen and compliance needs.