White Paper 3/5: The Fire Risk No Inspection Can Eliminate

Grease buildup in kitchen exhaust ducts is one of the most persistent fire risks in commercial kitchens. Chimney sweeps and fire inspectors see the gap every day between what purification systems promise and what actually accumulates inside the ducts.

The real question is not which technology works best, but whether any system can guarantee a completely clean duct.

Industry guidelines and a 2016 study by Belok point to the same conclusion: no existing technology can offer that guarantee. Ozone and UV systems can reduce grease build-up, but their effectiveness varies along the duct. Both also rely on safety mechanisms, technical components, and maintenance routines that must function reliably year after year. Every additional component introduces another potential point of failure.

In Part 3 of our five-part White Paper series, we explore:

• What duct classifications reveal about fire risk

• Why regular inspection and cleaning remain essential safeguards

• Three critical questions every inspector should ask when assessing a kitchen ventilation system

Download White Paper 3/5 →