At Bare Metal Standard, we make sure your facility is up to current code standards. When we inspect your kitchen exhaust system, we may find deficiencies in your system that can be resolved by our team of professionals. The most common deficiencies we find are:

1. Holes in ductwork. This means the duct is not “liquid tight” as specified by NFPA 96 reference code 5.1.2¹. This deficiency is a very serious problem and MUST be corrected immediately. If not fixed, a hole in the kitchen exhaust system—no matter how small—will act like a blowtorch in the event of a fire, searching for oxygen and allowing the fire to escape the contained ductwork. This allows the flame to then spread to the structure of the building, wreaking havoc on your business and costing you thousands in restoration costs.
2. Improper installation or lack of access doors at appropriate intervals as specified by NFPA 96. Access points are necessary to properly clean and inspect the kitchen exhaust system. While having proper access to the ductwork as specified by NFPA 96 is recommended, our proprietary cleaning process does not require full compliance in order to service your system. We do however advise reasonable access to implement our cleaning methods as well as your availability to properly inspect the system. Bare Metal Standard is a grade above other kitchen exhaust cleaning service providers due to our ability to reach areas our competitors can’t.
3. The lack of a proper hinge kit for the exhaust fan on the rooftop or exhaust point of the kitchen exhaust system, a new requirement now due to code 7.8.2.1². Hinge kits are a great resource for simplifying the cleaning process and protecting the restaurateurs’ investment in their exhaust fan and rooftop. Without a proper hinge kit, the exhaust fan would experience more damage and faster wear and tear. This new requirement protects the business owner’s rooftop exhaust fan and allows for more ventilation.

Bare Metal Standard can resolve these deficiencies and more that may arise to protect your investment and the fire safety of your facility.

We make it our responsibility to inform you of your system design and any issue that may be present while servicing your system. Although not all deficiencies MUST be rectified, we feel it necessary to warn you as a business owner of potential issues with your kitchen exhaust system. Please contact us if you have more questions about NFPA 96 code requirements and how it pertains to your kitchen exhaust system. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have as well as offer free inspections!

1. Reference code 5.1.2: All seams, joints, and penetrations of the hood enclosure that direct and capture grease-laden vapors and exhaust gases shall have a liquid-tight continuous external weld to the hood’s lower outermost perimeter.
2. Reference code 7.8.2.1: Rooftop terminations shall be arranged with or provided with the following: (1) A minimum of 3.05 m (10 ft) of horizontal clearance from the outlet to adjacent buildings, property lines and air intakes. (2) A minimum of 1.5 m (5 ft) of horizontal clearance from the outlet (fan housing) to any combustible structure. (3) A vertical separation of 0.92 m (3 ft) below any exhaust outlets for air intakes within 3.05 m (10 ft) of the exhaust outlet. (4) The ability to drain grease out of any traps or low points formed in the fan or duct near the termination of the system into a collection container that is noncombustible, closed, rainproof, structurally sound for the service to which it is applied, and will not sustain combustion.