How often should a commercial kitchen hood be cleaned?

Per NFPA 96 standards: kitchens with charbroilers, wok ranges, or solid-fuel equipment require cleaning every 3 months; high-volume full-service restaurants every 6 months; and low-use or seasonal kitchens annually. Express Kitchen Hoods provides NFPA 96 compliant bare-steel cleaning with same-night certificates.

What areas do you serve?

Express Kitchen Hoods, LLC serves Maryland (Montgomery County, Prince George's, Howard, Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Frederick, Charles, St. Mary's), Virginia (Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun, Prince William, Alexandria, Reston, Manassas), Washington DC, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia suburbs, York, Lancaster, Chester County), New York City (all 5 boroughs), and New Jersey. Call (800) 200-2134 for service anywhere in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes. Express Kitchen Hoods, LLC is a fully licensed mechanical, electrical, and fire-protection contractor. We carry full liability insurance and all work is performed by our own technicians — no subcontractors. We are NFPA 96 certified and FDNY compliant for New York City projects.

Do you install CaptiveAire hoods?

Yes. We are CaptiveAire specialists and also install Accurex, NAKS, and custom-fabricated Type I and Type II commercial exhaust hoods. Every installation includes shop drawings, MEP engineering coordination, and permit support. Call (800) 200-2134 for an estimate.

Do you offer emergency hood repair service?

Yes. Our 24/7 emergency response team is available around the clock for Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, and surrounding areas. Same-day response is available for urgent kitchen ventilation failures, suppression system activations, and fire inspection correction order situations. Call (800) 200-2134 anytime.

Fire Hazard Reduction

Removing flammable grease significantly lowers the risk of dangerous kitchen fires.

A clean system vents smoke and odors more efficiently, creating a better environment for staff and guests.

Stay compliant with NFPA 96 standards and local health regulations to avoid fines and shutdowns.

We protect your kitchen equipment with heavy-duty plastic sheeting.

Application of industrial-strength degreaser to break down stubborn buildup.

High-pressure hot water cleaning of the hood, plenum, and ducts.

Thorough cleaning of the exhaust fan blades and housing on the roof.

Removal and deep cleaning of baffle filters.

Polishing the hood canopy for a professional, shiny finish.

Removal of plastic and mopping the floor to leave your kitchen spotless.

Placement of a certification sticker demonstrating NFPA 96 compliance.

Restaurants Hotels Schools Hospitals Virginia Hood Cleaning Frequency Requirements (NFPA 96) The Virginia Fire Prevention Code adopts NFPA 96, Section 11.4 as the mandatory standard for commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning. Your required frequency is based on cooking volume: Kitchen Type Examples Required Frequency Solid Fuel (wood/charcoal) Wood-fired pizza ovens, BBQ smokers Monthly High-Volume 24-hour diners, fast food, heavy fryers Quarterly Moderate-Volume Full-service restaurants, catering (3-7 hrs/day) Semi-Annually Low-Volume / Seasonal Churches, school cafeterias, seasonal venues Annually Fairfax County, Arlington County, and Loudoun County fire marshals actively enforce these schedules. Non-compliance can result in violations, fines, or forced closure during peak hours. Hood Cleaning by Northern Virginia County We cover every jurisdiction in Northern Virginia with same-day dispatch from our local team. Fairfax County

The largest jurisdiction in Virginia — Fairfax, Tysons, McLean, Reston, Herndon, Centreville, and Burke. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue regularly inspects commercial kitchens and requires current NFPA 96 cleaning documentation. We service hundreds of restaurants across the county annually.

A dense restaurant corridor along Clarendon, Ballston, Crystal City, and Pentagon City. Arlington County DES enforces NFPA 96 aggressively in this high-density dining area. We offer overnight and weekend appointments specifically for Arlington restaurants that need to stay open during peak lunch and dinner hours.

Virginia's fastest-growing county — Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Dulles, and Lansdowne. The restaurant scene here is expanding rapidly, with new commercial kitchens opening regularly. Loudoun County Fire-Rescue follows NFPA 96 for all commercial kitchen inspections.

Alexandria City & Prince William County

Alexandria's historic Old Town restaurant district is one of the most inspection-active areas in Northern Virginia. Prince William County — Manassas, Woodbridge, Dale City — is served with the same same-day response we provide across the region.

Northern Virginia Hood Cleaning Services | NFPA 96 Certified

Alexandria Great Falls Falls Church Manassas Woodbridge

Northern Virginia Hood Cleaning Service Tiers

Every job is quoted individually before work starts — no surprise charges. Request an estimate.

Kitchen Type	Description
Small kitchen (1 hood, 1 fan)	Coffee shops, food trucks, small cafes
Medium kitchen (1-2 hoods)	Most sit-down restaurants, standard duct run
Large / high-volume kitchen	Multiple hoods, 24-hour operations, long duct runs
Emergency / after-hours service	Same-day or overnight dispatch, available 24/7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions from Northern Virginia restaurant owners and kitchen managers.

Is hood cleaning required by law in Virginia?

The Virginia Fire Prevention Code (VFPC) adopts NFPA 96 as the compliance standard. All commercial kitchens are required to have hoods cleaned at the specified frequency (monthly to annually depending on cooking volume) and maintain documentation on-site. Fairfax County, Arlington County, and other jurisdictions enforce this through regular fire marshal inspections.

Do you serve all of Northern Virginia, including outer counties?

Yes. We serve Fairfax County, Arlington County, Loudoun County, Prince William County, Alexandria City, and Falls Church City. We also cover the Manassas/Woodbridge corridor and reach further into Fauquier County on scheduled routes. Call (571) 556-1700 to confirm response time to your location.

What does NFPA 96 certified hood cleaning mean?

NFPA 96 sets the standard for ventilation control and fire protection in commercial cooking operations. A certified cleaning means every component — hood canopy, plenum, grease filters, full ductwork, and rooftop exhaust fan — is cleaned to bare metal, with before/after photos and a service report documenting the date, technician, and compliance status. Our sticker goes directly on the hood as proof for inspectors.

Can you provide same-day emergency service in Northern Virginia?

Yes. We offer 24/7 emergency hood cleaning throughout Northern Virginia. Call (571) 556-1700 or (800) 200-2134 any time. If you have a failed inspection, a fire marshal compliance order, or you are preparing for a surprise re-inspection, we dispatch same-day or overnight.

How long does a Northern Virginia hood cleaning take?

Most standard cleanings take 2-4 hours. Large kitchens with multiple hoods, long duct runs, or heavy grease accumulation may take 4-8 hours. We schedule most jobs after your closing time to avoid disruption — many of our Northern Virginia clients book 11 PM to 3 AM slots.

What happens if my Virginia restaurant fails a fire marshal hood inspection?

You will receive a written notice of violation referencing the specific NFPA 96 or VFPC code section. You typically have 30 days to correct the issue, though active hazards require immediate action. We can schedule a cleaning quickly, issue the compliance documentation, and help you understand what to submit to the fire marshal office in your jurisdiction.

Do you offer service contracts for Northern Virginia restaurants?

Yes. Service contracts include scheduled cleanings at the correct NFPA 96 frequency, priority emergency response, discounted per-visit rates, digital service records for your health and fire inspection binders, and automatic reminders before your next due date. Contact us to discuss a contract that fits your operation and budget.

Do you also do hood installation and fire suppression in Northern Virginia?

Yes. Beyond cleaning, we handle Type 1 and Type 2 hood installation, exhaust fan repair and replacement, Ansul and Pyrochem fire suppression system installation and semi-annual inspections, and make-up air unit service throughout Northern Virginia. We are a full-service commercial kitchen ventilation company.