Why is exhaust cleaning important?
Kitchen exhaust cleaning (often referred to as "hood and duct cleaning") is the process of removing grease that has accumulated inside the ducts, hoods, fans and vents of exhaust systems of commercial kitchens. Left un-cleaned, kitchen exhaust systems eventually accumulate enough grease to become extreme fire hazards.
Exhaust systems must be inspected regularly, at intervals consistent with usage, to determine whether or not cleaning needed before a dangerous amount of grease has accumulated. In most instances, establishing a custom designed maintenance schedule based an establishment’s specific equipment usage pattern is the safest and least costly solution for the long term.
Kitchen equipment represents a considerable investment and loss of equipment, even briefly, can lead to catastrophic financial consequences for the enterprise.
How often should I schedule exhaust system cleaning?
The frequency of cleaning is something that is highly dependent on the volume of cooking and the type of cooking that you perform. As a rule of thumb no commercial kitchen exhaust system in regular use should go over six months without a thorough cleaning. However, if you are cooking a high volume of foods that are high in fats and oils a thorough cleaning might be required as often as twice a month. This is where HADPRO expertise and a HADPRO system evaluation helps you determine how often your exhaust system needs to be cleaned.
Cleaning the exhaust hoods, ducts, fans and filters are not only important but are required by the law under fire code NFPA 96. Failing to properly maintain the kitchen exhaust hood system can result in fires, unpleasant odors, premature breakdown and catastrophic loss. Most exhaust systems have a fire suppression system within the hood and at the mouth of the vertical duct, but fire suppression systems do not provide protection in the vertical and horizontal ductwork or the fan on the roof.
What about the environment? Is HADPRO a green company?
HADPRO is unique in that it has earned the governments coveted ISO:14001 Certification. This tells HADPRO clients that the processes we use both in our establishment and at the job site have passed a series of rigorous tests to ensure compliance with environmental standards.
Being green has advantages for HADPRO clients. Many consumers today are biased in favor of companies with a proved commitment to the environment. It’s a real way of confirming your operations concern to the environment.
Why do I need a hinge kit on my fan?
Hinge kits are required by NFPA 96 for all hood exhaust up-blast fans. They allow the exhaust fan to be lifted back and tilted securely for proper cleaning and maintenance. In the absence of a hinge kit, our technicians are forced to tilt the fan and sometimes remove it completely for proper cleaning. This is an unnecessary complication that can lead to problems.
Here are the main reasons why hinge kits are so vital to safe and consistent operation.
- To protect the fan wiring. Exhaust fan wiring is stretched when the fan is taken off the stack and placed on the roof. Without a hinge kit, the fan wiring is subject to unnecessary abuse during cleaning and maintenance.
- To protect the exhaust fan. The exhaust fan can be damaged over time by removing it from the stack repeatedly and placing it on its side for cleaning.
- To prevent roof damage. Rooftop damage and leaks can be the result of placing the exhaust fan on the roof during cleaning or maintenance.
Why do I need access panels on my ductwork?
Too often complex ductwork includes long horizontal duct-runs between cooking units. Access panels give our professional technicians strategic points along the ductwork to permit visual inspection. In areas where access panels can help improve efficiency and safety, HADPRO technicians recommend adding the panels to systems already in place.
How long do system maintenance services take? What about the cost?
A thorough and professional inspection by HADPRO technicians accomplishes two goals. One, an assessment of the specific service requirements for your exhaust system. Once the requirements are documented, a time-line for service is established along with the associated costs.
Each location configuration is different. However, HADPRO experience guarantees the most efficient and safe maintenance plan is designed to meet the needs of your business, including scheduling and budget.
Who uses HADPRO services?
Any organization or commercial business entity with exhaust system compliance, cost and maintenance concerns. These include restaurants, hospitals, associations, schools, office buildings, hotels, airports, government offices and more.
What do I do in case of a grease fire?
Grease fires happen when collections of oil or grease on a stove, oven or fryer get hot enough to ignite. Grease fires are extremely dangerous because the fuel source (the grease) is a liquid, and easily splashed. Grease fire burn very hot and can quickly spread to cabinets or other flammable areas of the kitchen.
- DO NOT USE WATER ON A GREASE FIRE! Start evacuating everyone from the building. Fires spread extremely fast and can overwhelm victims in minutes.
- Call 911. There's no reason to wait, and the fire department can always go back to the station if you are able to get the fire out without help.
- The easiest way to smother a small grease fire is to CAREFULLY cover it with a pan lid. Be careful with glass lids; they can break from the extreme heat of open flame.
- Grease fires can also be smothered with baking soda, but it takes a lot of baking soda to do the trick. Unless the baking soda is easily accessible, it's usually easier to quickly find a lid.
A dry chemical fire extinguisher will also work, but it will contaminate your kitchen and food. Class K fire extinguishers are available to put out grease fires.
