When it comes to fire safety in your kitchens, here’s an important point to remember: Mesh grease filters on hood exhaust systems of cooking equipment don’t meet the requirements of NFPA 96, Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations.

 

NFPA 96 prohibits mesh filters, instead requiring grease filters or other grease-removal devices that a testing laboratory has approved for use with commercial cooking equipment.

 

Mesh filters are a problem because their honeycomb-like design can hold grease instead of letting it drain out to a container.