What Are IKECA Standards — And Why They Matter for Every Hood Cleaning Company
At Southwest Cleaning and Virus Disinfection LLC, we take professional standards seriously.
That’s why every hood cleaning we perform follows the same level of detail and safety outlined by the International Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Association (IKECA) — the leading authority for certified hood and duct cleaning professionals worldwide.
Who Is IKECA?
The International Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Association (IKECA) was founded to set the global benchmark for quality, safety, and compliance in the kitchen exhaust cleaning industry.
IKECA’s standards align directly with NFPA 96, the fire code that governs how cooking exhaust systems are maintained.
Their guidelines cover:
Cleaning frequency based on cooking volume
Access panel installation and maintenance
Inspection and documentation requirements
Technician safety and equipment handling
When a cleaning follows IKECA standards, it means every part of the system — from the hood to the rooftop fan — is cleaned “to bare metal.”
Why IKECA Standards Protect Your Business
A kitchen exhaust fire can spread in seconds through a grease-filled duct.
IKECA procedures ensure that no flammable residue is left behind and that the entire ventilation system is inspected for:
Hidden grease in duct elbows or risers
Leaks or holes in the system
Missing fan hinge kits or grease containment
Blocked access panels
For your restaurant, this means:
Reduced fire risk
Full NFPA 96 compliance
Cleaner air and better system performance
Confidence during fire or insurance inspections
How Southwest Cleaning Implements IKECA-Level Service
Even though we operate independently, we hold ourselves to the same strict professional standards used by IKECA-certified technicians.
Our process includes:
Full visual and manual inspection of the exhaust system
Deep cleaning “to bare metal” using hot water pressure and degreasing solutions
Rooftop fan disassembly and cleaning
Detailed service documentation with before-and-after photos
Service stickers verifying NFPA 96 cleaning date and compliance
We clean to IKECA-level precision, ensuring your system meets every code requirement from fan to floor.
Serving the Entire Southwest Florida Region
We provide professional, code-compliant hood cleaning across:
Bradenton, Sarasota, Venice, North Port, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Estero, Bonita Springs, and Naples,
including smaller communities like Rotonda, Osprey, Salona, Murdoch, Placida, and Boca Grande.
Whether you operate a small diner or a multi-chain kitchen, you can trust our team to maintain your system to the highest standards of the industry.
Book a Professional Hood Cleaning
Call/Text: (941) 204-0801
Email: southwesthoodinspector@gmail.com
Visit: hoodcleaningspecialists.com
When you choose Southwest Cleaning, you choose a company that cleans like every inspection matters — because it does.
Your safety, compliance, and reputation depend on it.
