Commercial kitchens are high-paced environments where safety and efficiency are top priorities. While daily cleaning routines help maintain hygiene, one area critical to safety that often goes overlooked is the grease exhaust system.

Over time, grease accumulates in exhaust hoods, ducts, and filters, which creates a significant fire hazard to your commercial kitchen. Regular professional cleaning of grease exhaust systems is essential to prevent fires and comply with local fire codes. Here’s what you need to know to keep your kitchen operating safely.

How Grease Builds Up in Commercial Kitchens

Anyone who has worked in a commercial kitchen knows that cooking produces grease-laden air, which settles on nearby surfaces. However, many people may not realize that this grease also accumulates inside the HVAC system, specifically grease exhaust hoods, fans, ducts, and filters.

As cooking continues day after day, layers of grease build up in these hidden areas. Over time, this reduces airflow efficiency and increases the risk of a fire. Without proper cleaning, this accumulation of grease can become a major safety concern.

Grease-Laden Exhaust Systems Are a Fire Hazard

Grease is highly flammable, and when it builds up in an exhaust system, it creates the perfect conditions for a dangerous fire. A single spark or sustained high heat can ignite grease deposits and cause a fire that will spread quickly through ductwork and into other areas of the kitchen.

For example, in January 2025, a restaurant in San Luis Obispo, California experienced a small fire, likely due to accumulated grease in the kitchen’s exhaust system. Thankfully, the San Luis Obispo City Fire Department was able to arrive on the scene quickly and extinguish the fire within about 10 minutes. 

In this case, the restaurant was lucky—but luck isn’t a solid fire prevention strategy. Relying on emergency response teams to save your business, employees, and patrons is a gamble no restaurant or other commercial kitchen can afford to take. Regular grease exhaust cleaning is the only way to ensure that a small mistake doesn’t turn into a devastating, business-ending disaster.

Clean Grease Exhaust Systems Are Vital for Fire Code Regulations & Insurance Compliance

Commercial kitchens are subject to strict fire safety regulations, including requirements for routine grease exhaust cleaning. Organizations like the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) mandate regular cleaning schedules to reduce fire risks. 

Local health and safety codes in California also require commercial kitchens to maintain clean exhaust systems based on the NFPA’s recommendations (California Mechanical Code 2022, 5.514.3–5.514.4). Failure to comply with these regulations can result in:

  • Fines and penalties from regulatory authorities
  • Increased insurance premiums or claim denials due to non-compliance
  • Temporary or permanent business shutdowns for severe violations

Regular professional cleaning ensures that kitchens remain compliant with fire codes, reducing the risk of legal and financial consequences.

Benefits of Professional Grease Exhaust Cleaning

While commercial kitchen staff handle routine cleaning, grease exhaust systems require deep cleaning by industry professionals. Professional grease exhaust cleaning is a cost-effective way for your business to:

  • Ensure Fire Code Compliance: Professional cleaning services follow NFPA guidelines and local regulations to keep kitchens up to code and reduce liability risks.
  • Improve Airflow Efficiency: Clean exhaust systems allow proper ventilation, which helps maintain a comfortable and safe working environment for kitchen staff.
  • Reduce Maintenance & Repair Costs Over Time: Removing grease buildup prevents excessive wear and tear on ventilation components, which extends the lifespan of the system and cuts down on costly repairs.
  • Protect Employees & Facility from Fires: A well-maintained grease exhaust system significantly lowers the risk of dangerous kitchen fires, which keeps your staff, customers, and property safe.

Get Started with Advanced Environmental Cleaning Services Today

Take action to protect your commercial kitchen from a grease fire. Advanced Environmental Cleaning Services (AECS) provides expert grease exhaust hood cleaning to ensure your kitchen stays safe, efficient, and compliant with all regulations.

Contact AECS today for a free, no-obligation estimate on your commercial kitchen cleaning project. Call (818) 399-2417 or email fq**********@*tt.net to schedule your consultation. Let us help you protect your business from preventable fire risks!