Frequently Asked Questions

Having your commercial kitchen fully functional at all times ensures both your customers and your employees are happy and safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Having your commercial kitchen fully functional at all times ensures both your customers and your employees are happy and safe.

A restaurant kitchen can never safely operate without using an exhaust hood system.

To ensure that all your restaurant kitchen equipment remains in proper running condition, you should seek the help of a service company that provides filter cleaning, air-duct cleaning, pressure washing, hood cleaning and fire suppression.

Filter & Best Air Services technicians are trained and experienced in providing superior service to commercial kitchens across the Pittsburgh, Western Pennsylvania and entire Tri-State area.

How long does it take to clean, service, and inspect my Kitchen Exhaust Hood System?

Generally, a service can be completed in approximately 2-3 Hrs. However, depending on the size and condition of your vent hoods, services may take longer.

Why do I need to clean my restaurant hood exhaust system?

To remove accumulated fuel (grease deposits) and prevent spontaneous combustion and fire in your hood exhaust system. This includes cleaning the hood, filters, plenum, ducts and fans (entire system).

Why can’t my employees clean my kitchen’s hood exhaust system?

Restaurant hood exhaust system cleaning requires special tools, equipment and expertise to properly and thoroughly clean the hard to access systems. Trained technicians also know how to work safely in your kitchen’s grease laden environment. NFPA 96 states that “the entire exhaust system shall be cleaned by a properly trained, qualified and certified company or persons.” Local codes often require a trained and certified company.

How often do I need to clean my kitchen’s hood exhaust system?

Each local municipality has a fire code to guide maintenance of your hood exhaust system. Municipalities often refer to NFPA 96 Guidelines (National Fire Protection Association) for their own requirements.

The NFPA 96, 2011 Standard—Table 11.4 recommendations are:

Solid Fuel (wood, charcoal) Monthly
High-volume, 24 hours ops. Quarterly
Moderate volume Semi-annually
Low-volume (camps, churches) Annually

Will my restaurant need to be closed during the time of cleaning?

Yes. In order to properly service your kitchen exhaust hoods, all cook line equipment must be turned off and properly shrouded.

As an owner, what is my responsibility in regards to cleaning the kitchen exhaust system?

According to NFPA-96 section 4.1.5: “the responsibility for inspection, testing, maintenance, and cleanliness of the ventilation control and fire protection of the commercial cooking operations shall ultimately be that of the owner of the system, provided that this responsibility has not been transferred in written form to a management company or other party.”

In other words, it is the owner’s responsibility to keep that system clean of grease and particulate buildup, and reduce the risk of a fire hazard. An incomplete cleaning performed by a low priced contractor (with most likely inadequate insurance coverage) will not protect the owner from the cost and litigation of a fire.

What is considered clean?

The industry standard is to clean to bare metal. If a system has not been cleaned properly for any length of time, sometimes it may take multiple cleanings before getting to bare metal. According to NFPA-96 section 11.6.2: “Hoods, grease removal devices, fans, ducts, and other appurtenances shall be cleaned to remove combustible contaminants prior to surfaces becoming heavily contaminated with grease or oily sludge.”

The best way to determine if a surface is clean is to inspect it. If it looks like there is an accumulation of grease on a surface, then it probably needs cleaning.

Do I have to be there at night to let you in or to lock up when you’re finished?

No. You certainly can be there if you’d like, but your presence is not necessary. We can arrange for our technicians to pick up a key and to securely lock up your establishment upon completion of cleaning. We take the utmost care for the security of your keys and property. We have many customers that arrange keys with us. Under no circumstances will we enter your restaurant without receiving direct confirmation that you are aware we are coming.

What special accommodations do I need to make to be ready for cleaning?

No special accommodations need to be made for us beyond removing food from the hood area as you normally would when closing up for the day and providing access to a cold water feed. All cleaning occurs inside a tented area we prepare at the hood. There is no impact on the surrounding areas outside the hood.

Will my restaurant kitchen hood exhaust system get a service sticker?

Yes. It is required by law that we, as a professional commercial kitchen hood exhaust system cleaning, inspection and service company, update and apply a new, certified cleaning, inspection and service sticker to every system at every interval.

Do you guarantee your work?

We do guarantee our work! If you are not satisfied with our work, we will address any issues that fall under the scope of our service immediately.

Contact Us

Filter & Best Air Services

800-924-7160 / 724-274-5220

Monday thru Friday: 8am - 4:30pm

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