Understanding the Standards That Define Professional Hood Cleaning in 2025

By Sean Roethel — Certified Hood Cleaning Instructor, Founder of Iron & Light Coaching

Two Standards, One Purpose

Every professional hood cleaner must understand NFPA 96 and the International Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Association (IKECA).

These two frameworks are the backbone of modern exhaust cleaning safety — and together, they define what professional compliance really means.

NFPA 96: The Fire Code Foundation

NFPA 96 — Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations — is the legal benchmark for every commercial kitchen exhaust system.

It sets the rules for how systems are designed, installed, inspected, and cleaned.

NFPA 96 outlines cleaning frequencies, grease-removal procedures, and inspection criteria that prevent ignition and protect property.

When inspectors, fire marshals, or insurance providers evaluate compliance, they reference NFPA 96.

If your cleaning doesn’t meet that standard, your business isn’t compliant.

Learn more directly from the National Fire Protection Association.

IKECA: The Performance Standard

Where NFPA 96 defines what must be done, IKECA defines how well it must be done.

IKECA’s ANSI/IKECA C10 Standard sets measurable performance benchmarks for technicians, inspectors, and service companies.

IKECA provides:

• Certification programs for hood cleaners and inspectors

• Documentation and photo-proof standards

• Inspection and tagging requirements

• Internationally recognized compliance frameworks

In short:

NFPA 96 = Code. IKECA = Competence.

How the Two Work Together

NFPA 96 and IKECA are not competing standards — they are complementary.

• NFPA 96 tells you what the law requires.

• IKECA ensures you can prove that you met those requirements with measurable results.

• Together, they create a unified, professional compliance structure recognized across the U.S. and globally.

In 2025, many Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) expect technicians and service companies to follow both standards to verify the completeness and performance of every cleaning.

Why These Standards Matter for Certification Students

At Iron & Light Hood Cleaning Certification, students learn to operate at the intersection of NFPA 96 and IKECA C10.

Our curriculum trains you to:

• Understand legal fire-code obligations under NFPA 96.

• Apply technical cleaning and documentation standards from IKECA.

• Produce verifiable compliance reports suitable for AHJs and insurers.

• Build trust and authority in your market through certified excellence.

Graduates don’t just clean to look clean — they clean to fire-code standards.

Your Next Steps Toward Professional Certification

1. Study NFPA 96 in full — focus on sections regarding cleaning frequency, duct access, and inspection documentation.

    

   • Download NFPA 96 (2025 Edition)

    

2. Enroll in an IKECA-aligned training or certification program.

    

   • Learn more from IKECA Certification Programs.

    

3. Join a structured course like Iron & Light Coaching master both standards with guided instruction and practical application.

4. Implement professional documentation practices.

    

   • Use before-and-after photos, service tags, and compliance logs for every cleaning job.

    

5. Stay current.

    

   • Revisit both standards annually; codes and best practices evolve.

    

Conclusion

Understanding both NFPA 96 and IKECA is no longer optional for serious professionals.

They are two halves of the same system — one defines legal compliance, the other defines technical excellence.

By mastering both, you position yourself as more than a cleaner — you become a certified fire-safety professional trusted by clients, inspectors, and insurers alike.

Learn more or enroll in the full certification pathway at Iron & Light Coaching.