When it comes to running a school cafeteria or a hospital kitchen, safety and hygiene are non-negotiable. Every meal served is a reflection of your institution’s commitment to health — and that starts behind the scenes, with a clean and compliant kitchen exhaust system.
At Hood Safe LLC, we specialize in hood cleaning and commercial kitchen cleaning for high-volume facilities across Detroit, MI. From public school districts to major healthcare centers, our team helps keep kitchens safe, efficient, and up to NFPA 96 standards.
Why Hood Cleaning Is Essential in Schools and Hospitals
School and hospital kitchens operate differently from restaurants. They often serve hundreds — sometimes thousands — of meals a day. With that comes heavy cooking, continuous use, and an increased risk of grease buildup in the exhaust hood and ductwork.
Neglecting proper cleaning doesn’t just affect equipment performance; it can compromise safety and compliance. Here’s why regular exhaust hood cleaning is essential:
- Fire Prevention: Grease buildup in hoods and ducts is a leading cause of kitchen fires. Hospitals and schools must maintain strict fire safety standards.
- Health and Hygiene: A dirty hood system can circulate smoke, odors, and airborne grease, contaminating food preparation areas.
- Regulatory Compliance: NFPA 96 — the national standard for ventilation control and fire protection — requires scheduled hood cleaning. Failure to comply can lead to citations or insurance complications.
- Energy Efficiency: Clean systems allow fans and filters to work more effectively, saving on energy costs and extending equipment lifespan.
How Often Should School and Hospital Kitchens Be Cleaned?
Cleaning frequency depends on usage and the type of cooking performed. However, general guidelines recommend:
- High-volume operations (like hospital kitchens): Every three months
- Moderate use (such as school cafeterias): Every six months
- Low-volume or seasonal kitchens: At least once per year
At Hood Safe LLC, we don’t just follow the calendar — we assess your kitchen’s unique workload and create a custom cleaning schedule that fits your facility’s needs and budget.
Our Process: Thorough, Safe, and Transparent
We take pride in offering more than just a surface clean. Our Detroit hood cleaning services follow a step-by-step process designed for total system care and accountability.
1. Initial Inspection
Before we start, our technicians perform a detailed inspection of your entire ventilation system — from the canopy to the rooftop fan. We identify grease buildup, airflow issues, and potential fire hazards.
2. Preparation and Protection
We carefully protect kitchen equipment, floors, and surfaces with plastic sheeting and drip containment systems. No mess left behind — ever.
3. Deep Cleaning and Degreasing
Using professional-grade degreasers and hot water pressure washing, we remove grease and residue from:
- Exhaust hoods
- Filters
- Ductwork
- Fans and vents
This isn’t just cosmetic cleaning — it’s about restoring system performance and safety.
4. Compliance Verification
After cleaning, we provide before-and-after photos and a service report to document compliance with NFPA 96 and local fire codes.
5. Ongoing Maintenance Scheduling
We track your cleaning intervals and send friendly reminders when it’s time for the next service, helping you stay compliant year-round.
Common Issues We Solve in Institutional Kitchens
Every facility has its own challenges. Over the years, we’ve helped schools and hospitals across Metro Detroit overcome issues such as:
- Improperly installed fan hinges leading to roof grease damage
- Clogged ductwork reducing airflow and increasing energy costs
- Non-compliant cleaning logs putting facilities at risk during inspections
- Grease buildup in hard-to-reach areas, like horizontal ducts or shared ventilation shafts
Our certified technicians are trained to identify and correct these issues before they become costly or dangerous problems.
The Cost of Skipping Hood Cleaning
It’s tempting to delay cleaning when budgets are tight, but doing so can have serious consequences:
- Fire Risk: Even a thin film of grease can ignite under high heat.
- Health Code Violations: Food safety inspectors check ventilation systems regularly.
- Insurance Liability: Many insurance providers require proof of routine hood cleaning.
- Equipment Damage: Grease buildup can shorten the life of fans, motors, and filters.
Regular commercial kitchen cleaning is an investment in your facility’s safety, reputation, and operational efficiency.
What Sets Hood Safe LLC Apart
Detroit has no shortage of cleaning companies, but Hood Safe LLC stands out because we combine technical expertise with a genuine commitment to our clients.
Certified & Insured Technicians
Our crew is fully trained in NFPA 96 standards, safety protocols, and the latest cleaning technologies.
Transparent Service
We provide digital reports with timestamps and photographs — proof of performance you can show to fire marshals or insurance auditors.
Flexible Scheduling
We work around your kitchen’s hours to minimize disruption. Early mornings, nights, or weekends — whatever works best for your staff and patients or students.
Local Expertise
As a Detroit-based hood cleaning company, we understand local codes, inspectors, and the needs of Michigan’s public institutions.
Practical Tips to Keep Your Kitchen Safe Between Cleanings
While professional cleaning is mandatory, your staff can help maintain a safe environment between services:
- Wipe down filters daily and replace them when damaged or warped.
- Check exhaust fans monthly for strange noises or reduced airflow.
- Keep a cleaning log for easy inspection tracking.
- Avoid DIY duct cleaning — internal ducts require certified professionals to clean safely.
These simple habits extend the life of your hood system and reduce grease accumulation.
Partner With Detroit’s Trusted Hood Cleaning Experts
At Hood Safe LLC, we believe that a clean kitchen is a safe kitchen. Whether you manage a hospital food service department or a school cafeteria, you can count on us for reliable, professional, and fully compliant hood cleaning services.
Our goal is to make your job easier — ensuring your kitchen stays efficient, compliant, and fire-safe all year round.
Let’s keep Detroit’s institutional kitchens safe, clean, and compliant — one hood at a time. Contact Hood Safe LLC today to schedule a free inspection or quote for your school or hospital kitchen.