What Is NFPA 96
NFPA 96 — the Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations — is the primary fire code governing commercial kitchen exhaust systems in the United States. In San Diego, fire marshals and health departments reference NFPA 96 directly when inspecting your kitchen.
The standard covers the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of commercial cooking exhaust systems — including required cleaning frequencies, access panel placement, fire suppression system compatibility, and grease containment.
Non-compliance can result in failed health inspections, fire permit issues, voided fire suppression system warranties, and insurance claim denials. A documented, certified inspection provides the evidence that your system meets the standard.
What We Inspect
Your Compliance Package
A detailed written report documenting every component inspected, its condition, and any deficiencies found. This is your official record of the inspection.
A signed compliance certificate issued by a certified technician. Accepted by San Diego fire marshals, health departments, and commercial insurance carriers.
Photographs of all areas inspected are included with your report. Visual documentation of system condition for your records and any regulatory review.
If any issues are found, they are clearly documented with description, location, and recommended corrective action so you know exactly what needs to be addressed.
An inspection sticker is applied to your hood noting the date of inspection and the next required service. Required by code and visible to inspectors.
If deficiencies are identified, we can quote the corrective work and return for a follow-up inspection to bring your system into full compliance.
When You Need It
Before a scheduled health inspection or fire marshal visit
After a hood cleaning to confirm full compliance
When opening or taking over a restaurant location
After any modifications to your kitchen exhaust system
For insurance documentation or renewal
When a previous inspection identified deficiencies
Annual documentation for your compliance records
We respond same-day and can typically schedule inspections within 48 hours. Emergency inspections available for urgent compliance needs.
Book Online(858) 361-2570NFPA 96 certified · Written report included · San Diego County
Common Questions
A full NFPA 96 inspection covers every component of your kitchen exhaust system: the hood canopy and mounting, grease filters (type, condition, and fit), the plenum chamber, the full ductwork run, the rooftop exhaust fan, make-up air systems, fire suppression nozzle placement, grease drip trays and containment, access panel locations, and clearances from combustible materials. Every deficiency found is documented by location and description.
A hood cleaning removes grease from the system. An NFPA 96 inspection assesses whether the entire system meets the code standard — including components that cleaning doesn't address, like suppression nozzle placement, ductwork access panels, fan clearances, and structural condition. Both are required. Many operators get an inspection done after a cleaning to confirm the system is fully compliant before a scheduled fire marshal or health department visit.
San Diego fire marshals and health departments reference NFPA 96 directly when reviewing commercial kitchens. Most operators schedule inspections on the same cadence as their required hood cleaning — monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually depending on cooking volume and fuel type. Opening a new location, taking over an existing one, or making changes to your exhaust system also triggers an inspection requirement.
Yes. Our compliance certificates are issued by NFPA 96 certified technicians and are accepted by San Diego County fire marshals, the Department of Environmental Health, and commercial insurance carriers. We also apply an inspection sticker directly to your hood noting the inspection date and next required service — which is what code requires and what inspectors look for.
Every deficiency is documented in your written report with location, description, and recommended corrective action. Nothing is left vague. We can quote the corrective work directly and schedule a follow-up inspection once it's addressed. For minor items like a damaged filter or a missing access panel, we often handle it the same visit. For structural or suppression system issues, we document and advise so you can get the right contractor involved.
Our full-system hood cleaning includes a compliance certificate and NFPA 96 inspection sticker. A standalone inspection is a separate service for operators who need documented compliance confirmation between cleanings — for example, before a scheduled fire marshal visit, when opening a new location, after equipment modifications, or for insurance documentation. If you're unsure which you need, call us and we'll tell you straight.
