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Restaurant range hood cleaning and inspection: current regulations
The kitchen is one of the rooms where we spend the most time working, cleaning and scrubbing. This is even truer in the case of a restaurant kitchen, where hundreds of meals are prepared each day!
Among the commercial kitchen appliances that require regular maintenance, the range hood should be at the top of the list. Furthermore, to guarantee the efficiency and safety of a commercial kitchen range hood, it’s essential to have it inspected periodically.
Current regulations in Quebec
For guidance in terms of the construction and maintenance of ventilation systems for commercial kitchens, fire and insurance inspectors in Quebec look to regulation NFPA 96, issued by the National Fire Prevention Association.
All restaurant establishments are required to equip their kitchens with commercial-grade range hoods. This is essential for the optimal evacuation of grease and cooking gas. A hood ventilation system also helps expel the heat and humidity generated by the dishwasher.
Why clean the hood?
A range hood that works full time must be cleaned regularly in order to function optimally and safely. In fact, any type of ventilation system can accumulate dust, grease and cooking residue. This particulate matter not only diminishes the quality of the ambient air but can also constitute a fire hazard.
Benefits of regularly cleaning your range hood:
- Optimal functioning of the ventilation system
- Decreased risk of fire and accidents
- Reduced proliferation of bacteria, mold and mildew
- Improved air quality in the room
- Increased energy efficiency
Regular maintenance performed by ventilation specialists will ensure that your range hood functions optimally so you’ll avoid serious problems down the road.
How often should you clean your range hood?
In order to comply with the safety standards governing commercial food services, you must clean the outside of your range hood at least once a week. This cleaning should include the filters, which are all too often neglected, as they’re essential to the proper functioning of your range hood!
If you’re wondering how often you should have full maintenance performed on your range hood, it will depend on how much you use it.
- High-volume cooking activities (24-hour cooking on a grill or wok): monthly cleaning
- Medium-volume cooking activities: semi-annual cleaning
- Low-volume cooking activities (churches, summer camps, seasonal companies and retirement homes): annual cleaning
Cleaning the grease filters
One detail that you should never overlook is cleaning the range hood filters. In order for your hood to function at full capacity, you must keep these filters clean and in good condition at all times. Even though filters designed for heavy-duty use (like those in commercial kitchens) are extremely durable, you still need to have them cleaned and inspected regularly. A clean filter in perfect working order will ensure that your hood functions safely and efficiently.
Surround yourself with the best specialists to keep your commercial kitchen safe and productive! Don’t hesitate to contact Antiflamme Purafiltre for all your range hood maintenance, inspection and cleaning needs or to learn more about current regulations.
