What Is a Certificate of Performance—and Why Your Commercial Kitchen Needs One

Running a commercial kitchen means managing a long list of responsibilities every single day. Between food safety, staffing, equipment upkeep, and customer satisfaction, it can be easy to lose track of the compliance side of things. But when a fire code inspector walks through your door, you want to be ready. One of the most important pieces of documentation you can have on hand is a Certificate of Performance—and if you are not sure what that is or whether you have one, this is worth your attention. Flue Steam has been providing kitchen exhaust cleaning and fire prevention services throughout Southern California for over 40 years, and we issue a Certificate of Performance after every single cleaning visit.

What a Certificate of Performance Actually Is

A Certificate of Performance is a sticker or document issued by your kitchen exhaust cleaning company after completing a compliant cleaning service. It serves as official proof that your exhaust system has been cleaned in accordance with NFPA 96, the National Fire Protection Association standard that governs ventilation control and fire protection in commercial cooking operations.

The certificate typically includes details such as the date of service, the areas of the system that were cleaned, the name of the service provider, and confirmation that the work meets code requirements. It is usually displayed somewhere visible in your kitchen—often near the hood—so that inspectors can easily locate it.

Why It Matters to Inspectors and Insurers

Fire code inspectors are trained to look for this documentation when they visit your facility. If you cannot produce proof of recent, code-compliant exhaust cleaning, you may be looking at fines, failed inspections, or even a required shutdown until the issue is resolved. The certificate takes the guesswork out of compliance by providing a clear, dated record that the work was done and done correctly.

What many kitchen operators do not realize is that a Certificate of Performance can also have a direct impact on your insurance. Some insurers offer reduced premiums to businesses that maintain documented, regular exhaust system cleaning. In the event of a fire, your certificate also serves as evidence that you took reasonable steps to prevent it—which can matter significantly during a claim.

Not All Cleaning Services Provide One

Here is something important to understand: not every company that offers exhaust cleaning will provide a proper Certificate of Performance. Some services may clean only the most visible parts of your system—typically the range hood—while leaving ducts, drip cups, and exhaust fans untouched. A certificate issued after incomplete cleaning does not accurately represent the condition of your system and could leave you exposed during an inspection or insurance review.

At Flue Steam, our licensed technicians clean the entire exhaust system, not just the parts that are easiest to reach. We work through the hood, the exhaust ducts, drip cups, and exhaust fans, and we can install code-required access panels in your ducts when needed to ensure a truly thorough cleaning. Only after completing a full, compliant service do we issue your Certificate of Performance sticker.

Make Sure Your Kitchen Is Covered

If you are not sure when your last documented cleaning took place, or if you have been relying on a service that does not provide proper certification, now is the time to make a change. Staying compliant protects your business, your employees, your customers, and your investment.

Contact Flue Steam at 800-700-FLUE to schedule your next kitchen exhaust cleaning and make sure you always have the documentation to prove your kitchen is safe and up to code.