NFPA 96 Compliance: What Every Restaurant Owner in Georgia Needs to Know | Restaurant Hood Cleaning | Superior Steam, Inc. : Restaurant Hood Cleaning

What Is NFPA 96?

NFPA 96 is the Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations, published by the National Fire Protection Association. It sets the requirements for the design, installation, operation, inspection, and maintenance of all public and private cooking operations — including exhaust hoods, ducts, fans, fire suppression systems, and grease removal devices.

Does NFPA 96 Apply to My Restaurant in Georgia?

Yes. The State of Georgia adopts NFPA codes as part of its fire safety regulations. Any restaurant, commercial kitchen, food truck, hotel kitchen, hospital cafeteria, school kitchen, or institutional cooking facility in Georgia must comply with NFPA 96. Local fire marshals in Savannah, Chatham County, and surrounding areas actively enforce these standards during inspections.

Key NFPA 96 Requirements for Restaurant Owners

Cleaning Frequency

Monthly: High-volume cooking (24-hour restaurants, charbroiling, wok cooking)
Quarterly: Moderate-volume cooking (most full-service restaurants)
Semi-annually: Low-volume cooking (churches, day camps, seasonal operations)
Annually: Very low-volume operations (limited heating only)

Documentation Requirements

NFPA 96 requires that you maintain records of all hood cleaning services, including:

Date of cleaning
Name of the cleaning company
Areas cleaned
Before and after condition notes

Superior Steam Inc. provides complete documentation with every service, including before and after photos and an NFPA 96 compliance certificate. This protects you during fire marshal inspections and insurance audits.

What Happens If You Fail an NFPA 96 Inspection?

Consequences can include:

Fines from the local fire marshal
Temporary or permanent shutdown orders
Voided insurance coverage in the event of a fire
Personal liability for the business owner

How Superior Steam Inc. Keeps You Compliant

Since 1994, Superior Steam Inc. has helped hundreds of restaurants across Savannah, Hilton Head, Bluffton, and the entire Low Country stay NFPA 96 compliant. Our comprehensive hood cleaning service includes full documentation, compliance certificates, and scheduled maintenance reminders so you never miss a cleaning. Schedule your free inspection today.