Most hood cleaning happens at night, after your kitchen closes, so you rarely see the work yourself. Before and after photos let you see it. But does the fire code require your hood cleaning company to provide them?
Key Takeaways
- NFPA 96 doesn’t require before and after hood cleaning photos, including in the 2024 edition.
- IKECA and ANSI guidance recommends them as a best practice.
- Photos work best alongside the completion report and service tag.
- Ask any hood cleaning company how it documents its work before you hire it.
Does NFPA 96 Require Before and After Hood Cleaning Photos?
No. NFPA 96, the Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations, does not require before and after hood cleaning photos, in previous editions or in the current 2024 edition. In code language, “shall” is the word that makes something mandatory, and NFPA 96 has no “shall” for photos. (Watch at 0:11.)
Who Recommends Before and After Photos for Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning?
Some guidance from IKECA (the International Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Association) and ANSI (the American National Standards Institute) recommends before and after photos as a best practice for kitchen exhaust cleaning. It recommends them without requiring them, so each hood cleaning company decides for itself. (Watch at 0:23.)
Why Do Before and After Hood Cleaning Photos Matter?
Before and after photos show the condition of your kitchen exhaust system before and after it was cleaned. A greasy picture next to a clean picture of the same system is the clearest way to see the work. That matters because most hood cleaning happens after hours, when you’re not there to talk with the crew. (Watch at 0:52.)
How photos and the completion report work together
Photos don’t replace the service tag or the completion report; they back them up. Photos show what your system looked like, and the completion report explains what was done. A good hood cleaning completion report covers four things:
- Scope: which areas were cleaned, such as the hood, ductwork and exhaust fan
- Access gaps: any areas that were out of reach or not fully serviced
- Problems: deficiencies or concerns found during the job
- Next steps: recommended follow-up or future service
If the photos and the report don’t line up, ask your hood cleaning company about it. For a full checklist of what to look at after a cleaning, see Did Your Hood Cleaning Company Clean the Entire System?
What Should You Ask Your Hood Cleaning Company About Photos?
Because no code requires photos, they come down to each company’s own practices. Ask these questions before you hire, so you know what documentation to expect. (Watch at 0:32.)
- Do you take before and after photos on every service?
- Can I see the photos, and how would I get them?
- Do the before and after photos show the same parts of my system?
- Who do I contact if something in the photos or the report doesn’t look right?
Before and After Hood Cleaning Photos: FAQ
These short answers cover what the sections above don’t.
Can I ask my hood cleaner to see their photos?
Yes, you can always ask. Whether a hood cleaning company takes photos, and how it shares them, depends on that company’s own practices.
Do before and after photos replace the completion report?
No. Photos show what your system looked like. The completion report explains what was cleaned, what couldn’t be reached, any problems found and the next steps. You need both.
Does the 2024 edition of NFPA 96 require hood cleaning photos?
No. Like earlier editions, the 2024 edition of NFPA 96 has no “shall” requiring before and after photos.
What to Look for in a Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Company
Look for a fire safety partner, not just a service provider: one that offers thorough documentation, clear communication and accountability. Bare Metal Standard believes protecting your facility starts with understanding what’s happening throughout your kitchen exhaust system, so its crews take before and after photos as part of the company’s internal documentation. (Watch at 0:42.)
Not sure your whole system was cleaned? Protecting businesses since 1964, Bare Metal Standard is here to help. Request a free full-system inspection and price quote.