The NFPA 96 frequency table
NFPA 96, adopted by NYC Fire Code §607, sets the required cleaning interval based on your cooking type and volume:
| Monthly | Solid fuel cooking (wood, charcoal), high-volume wok cooking, 24-hour operations |
| Quarterly | Moderate-volume cooking (most full-service restaurants) |
| Semi-annually | Low-volume cooking, day-use only |
| Annually | Seasonal operations or single-shift cooking only |
What "cleaning" actually means
A full NFPA 96 cleaning covers the entire exhaust system: hoods, filters, plenums, ducts, and fans. Swiping the hood surface is not sufficient. After each cleaning, the licensed company must affix a dated sticker to the hood and provide you a signed completion certificate.
Who you can hire
Only hood cleaning companies holding a valid FDNY Certificate of Fitness can legally perform the service. Verify their license on the FDNY contractor lookup before booking. If the company cannot produce a Certificate of Fitness number, do not hire them.
Records you must keep on-site
- Service records for the last 2 years, in a physical binder
- Current dated sticker affixed to the hood itself
- Invoice and completion certificate from each cleaning
What it costs if you skip it
| Hood cleaning log not on-site | $500 to $1,000 |
| Missing or expired cleaning sticker on the hood | $500 |
| Grease buildup (fire hazard citation) | $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Operating with fire hazard after notice | Potential shutdown order |
Source
NFPA 96 Standard · NYC Fire Code §607.