Kitchen hood & duct inspection requirements in California
6 code-mandated inspections, each with the section that requires it. Generated from the same catalog that runs Muniment, so this page cannot drift from what the product actually enforces.
Monthly hood & duct cleaning (high-volume kitchen)
MonthlyKitchens that cook heavily (solid fuel, 24-hour lines) build up grease fast — the hood and ducts are cleaned monthly.
- Code reference
- NFPA 96 cleaning table, adopted via CFC Chapter 6
- Who may perform it
- IKECA-certified cleaner
We have not yet read the operative sentence for this interval — the citation is confirmed, the frequency comes from a standard that must be purchased. Your authority having jurisdiction has final say.
Quarterly hood & duct cleaning (moderate-volume kitchen)
Every 3 monthsA typical restaurant kitchen has its hood and exhaust ducts degreased every three months.
- Code reference
- NFPA 96 cleaning table, adopted via CFC Chapter 6
- Who may perform it
- IKECA-certified cleaner
We have not yet read the operative sentence for this interval — the citation is confirmed, the frequency comes from a standard that must be purchased. Your authority having jurisdiction has final say.
Quarterly hood inspection (high-volume kitchen)
Every 3 monthsSeparate from cleaning: someone qualified inspects the hood, filters, fans and ducts for grease build-up every three months.
- Code reference
- CFC §606.3.3.1, Table 606.3.3.1
Read the operative sentence
“Hoods, grease-removal devices, fans, ducts and other appurtenances shall be inspected at intervals specified in Table 606.3.3.1 or as approved by the fire code official. Table 606.3.3.1 gives 3 months for high-volume cooking operations (24-hour cooking, charbroiling, wok cooking). NOTE: this is the INSPECTION duty; the cleaning interval is a separate requirement under the adopted NFPA 96.”
California Fire Code 2022, §606.3.3.1 · read Aug 22, 2026
Semi-annual hood & duct cleaning (low-volume kitchen)
Every 6 monthsA light-duty kitchen (church, break room) has its hood cleaned twice a year.
- Code reference
- NFPA 96 cleaning table, adopted via CFC Chapter 6
- Who may perform it
- IKECA-certified cleaner
We have not yet read the operative sentence for this interval — the citation is confirmed, the frequency comes from a standard that must be purchased. Your authority having jurisdiction has final say.
Semi-annual hood inspection (moderate-volume kitchen)
Every 6 monthsSeparate from cleaning: a twice-yearly inspection of the hood, filters, fans and ducts for grease build-up.
- Code reference
- CFC §606.3.3.1, Table 606.3.3.1
Read the operative sentence
“Hoods, grease-removal devices, fans, ducts and other appurtenances shall be inspected at intervals specified in Table 606.3.3.1 or as approved by the fire code official. Table 606.3.3.1 gives 6 months for other cooking operations. NOTE: this is the INSPECTION duty; the cleaning interval is a separate requirement under the adopted NFPA 96.”
California Fire Code 2022, §606.3.3.1 · read Aug 22, 2026
Annual hood inspection (low-volume kitchen)
Every 12 monthsPlaces that cook occasionally — churches, seasonal venues, senior centres — get a yearly hood inspection rather than a more frequent one.
- Code reference
- CFC §606.3.3.1, Table 606.3.3.1
Read the operative sentence
“Hoods, grease-removal devices, fans, ducts and other appurtenances shall be inspected at intervals specified in Table 606.3.3.1 or as approved by the fire code official. Table 606.3.3.1 gives 12 months for low-volume cooking operations (churches, day camps, seasonal businesses, senior centers). NOTE: this is the INSPECTION duty; the cleaning interval is a separate requirement under the adopted NFPA 96.”
California Fire Code 2022, §606.3.3.1 · read Aug 22, 2026
Muniment tracks every one of these for you.
Add a kitchen hood & duct to a building and its schedule appears — dated, cited, and chased before it lapses. The record is yours, exportable, and it outlives whichever contractor does the work.
Start free for 14 daysMuniment tracks inspection schedules against published code references. It is not legal advice, and the authority having jurisdiction has final say. Last generated from the catalog at https://usemuniment.com.