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Whether it be a residential or commercial kitchen space, every kitchen is unique. Just as unique as the kitchen itself is the kitchen exhaust system. There are many variables that come into play when designing your exhaust system – space, frequency of use, foods being cooked (i.e. greasy foods), and more. One thing that is constant amongst all exhaust systems though is that they all need regular cleaning, for both sanitary and safety reasons. Grease, dust, and other wastes can put your kitchen at risk for fires – and a kitchen fire poses not only a risk to your employees but a significant threat to your business if the fire shuts down your kitchens for several days / weeks for repairs.

To help make the cleaning of exhaust systems easier you can install what is called an Access Panel for your system. Access panels give you ease of access to areas that are often overlooked and neglected during regular cleanings, and these areas are generally the areas where grease can build up quite significantly over time. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has different regular cleaning time lines and requirements based on your jurisdiction and location, however in some areas you may be required to install an access panel. It is highly recommended to research your local NFPA guidelines to be sure that you meet their requirements per your kitchen space. For example – if you are cooking with lots of grease or deep frying often then you may be required to perform more deep cleanings per guidelines rather than a kitchen that uses minimal grease, such as...