Published by Iron & Light Coaching — The Global Leader in Hood Cleaning Certification & NFPA 96 Training

www.ironandlightcoaching.com

What Is NFPA 96?

NFPA 96 — officially titled Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations — is the cornerstone standard for every professional in the hood cleaning industry.

Created by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), it outlines the essential requirements for how commercial kitchen exhaust systems must be designed, cleaned, inspected, and maintained to reduce fire risk and ensure safe ventilation.

Whether you’re a hood cleaning technician, business owner, or facility manager, understanding NFPA 96 is the foundation of compliance, safety, and professional credibility.

Official Resource: NFPA.org – Standard 96 Overview

Why NFPA 96 Matters to Every Hood Cleaning Business

NFPA 96 isn’t just a technical document — it’s the backbone of legal compliance for every restaurant, kitchen, and exhaust cleaning provider in the United States.

Here’s why it matters for your business:

• Fire Safety: NFPA 96 defines how to remove grease-laden vapors before they become fuel for a fire.

• Code Compliance: Most jurisdictions adopt NFPA 96 into local fire regulations. Non-compliance can lead to citations or shutdowns.

• Insurance Requirements: Many insurance policies require proof of NFPA 96-compliant cleaning for coverage to remain valid.

• Professional Credibility: Using the phrase “NFPA 96 Compliant Cleaning” in your proposals and reports builds trust with inspectors, facility managers, and franchise clients.

At Iron & Light Coaching, our hood cleaning certification course teaches you how to clean and document every system to meet or exceed NFPA 96 and IKECA C10 standards.

 Learn More About Our Certification Program

Key NFPA 96 Requirements Every Technician Should Know

1. Access & Construction

NFPA 96 requires that all interior surfaces of kitchen exhaust systems be accessible for cleaning and inspection.

That means:

• Properly placed access panels every 12 feet on horizontal ducts

• Liquid-tight welded seams on hoods and ducts

• Exhaust fans that can be safely lifted for full cleaning access

2. Cleaning Frequency

The NFPA 96 standard defines how often systems must be inspected and cleaned based on usage. Common intervals include:

• Monthly: Solid fuel cooking (wood or charcoal)

• Quarterly: High-volume kitchens like 24-hour diners, woks, or charbroilers

• Semi-Annually: Moderate-volume restaurants

• Annually: Low-volume or seasonal operations such as churches or camps

Understanding these intervals allows you to set up recurring service contracts and keep your clients compliant year-round.

3. Inspection & Reporting

NFPA 96 requires a certificate of performance after every cleaning.

Each certificate must include:

• Date of service

• Areas cleaned and inspected

• Technician and company details

• Deficiencies or repair recommendations

Fire marshals, health inspectors, and insurers can request these records at any time.

That’s why every graduate of the Iron & Light Hood Cleaning Certification program learns to document and deliver compliant reports.

How NFPA 96 Builds Your Business

Understanding NFPA 96 is more than just compliance — it’s your competitive edge.

• It helps you price jobs accurately based on cleaning frequency and system complexity.

• It improves client retention through education and transparency.

• It protects your business from liability by establishing a code-backed process.

• It positions your brand as a professional authority instead of a “cleaning company.”

When your company markets itself as NFPA 96 and IKECA C10 aligned, clients know they’re hiring a certified, qualified expert.

Common NFPA 96 Mistakes to Avoid

1. No Access Panels: Systems must be fully accessible for cleaning and inspection.

2. Untrained Cleaners: NFPA 96 requires “properly trained, qualified, and certified” technicians.

3. Inadequate Documentation: Missing tags or incomplete reports are automatic inspection failures.

4. Delayed Cleaning: Allowing grease to build up violates the code and raises fire risk.

5. Unlisted Filters: Only UL-approved filters that meet Section 6.1 requirements are acceptable.

Avoiding these mistakes keeps your clients safe — and keeps inspectors on your side.

NFPA 96 vs IKECA C10 — What’s the Difference?

NFPA 96 defines the fire-safety and ventilation code requirements, while IKECA C10 provides the specific cleaning and inspection methods that bring those codes to life.

Together, they form the complete technical foundation for professional hood cleaning.

• NFPA 96: Focuses on system design, access, maintenance, and frequency.

• IKECA C10: Focuses on detailed cleaning and inspection procedures.

Iron & Light Coaching’s curriculum follows both — so you can perform work that meets inspection standards everywhere in North America.

 Enroll in NFPA 96 + IKECA C10 Aligned Training

 2025 NFPA 96 Updates You Should Know

Recent revisions to the 2024–2025 edition of NFPA 96 include:

• Updated definitions for rooftop grease containment systems

• Clarified record-keeping and reporting standards

• Revised access-door spacing and service intervals

• Expanded coverage for new cooking technologies

Iron & Light Coaching continuously updates its certification program so every graduate works with the latest code changes — giving you a professional advantage in the field.

Reference: NFPA 96 – 2024 Edition PDF Preview

Turn NFPA 96 Knowledge Into Growth

For entrepreneurs and technicians alike, NFPA 96 isn’t just a safety code — it’s the language of credibility and opportunity.

When you understand it deeply and operate by it daily, you:

• Win larger commercial contracts

• Pass inspections easily

• Build repeat business with high-value clients

• Separate yourself from untrained competitors

That’s exactly why the Iron & Light Hood Cleaning Certification was built — to turn technical mastery into professional independence.

 Get Certified Now

Final Thoughts

NFPA 96 is more than regulation — it’s your blueprint for professionalism, safety, and business longevity.

By mastering it, you protect your clients, your reputation, and your financial future.

To take your expertise further, enroll in the Iron & Light Hood Cleaning Certification Program, the only U.S. CDP-registered course currently under U.K. CPD accreditation review and aligned with NFPA 96, IKECA C10, OSHA, and EPA standards.

Learn more at

www.ironandlightcoaching.com