Calgary hood cleaning requirements

Hey Goat-

I've posted my thoughts on grandfathering before, but I just had an idea. I'll have to run it by Rusty. I was thinking that everyone who can supply a yellowpage ad listing prior to 1976 would qualify for a half price correspondence "Old Fart Certification". Wait, now with a little more thought on this it sounds more like something for Trump Exhaust School, what d'ya think Matt.
 
Food for Thought

The City of Calgary Fire Department is establishing a program to inform restaurant owners and operators of fire safety measures for the periodic cleaning of commercial cooking canopy and exhaust duct systems. Commercial cooking exhaust systems if not maintained properly pose a significant fire hazard involving rapidly spreading grease fires.

The Fire Department uses the Alberta Fire Code (AFC) to regulate the activities and maintenance requirements of fire and life safety installations in buildings. The Fire Code requires all commercial cooking exhaust systems to be inspected and properly cleaned for continuous safe operation.

In addition to the cleaning requirements in the Code, a new initiative is taking place that involves the certification of persons that perform duct system cleaning. The next edition of the Fire Code will introduce a requirement to have all persons providing this service to be "qualified."

The purpose of this communication is to inform you, the owners and operators of commercial cooking establishments, about these changes and how you can recognize kitchen exhaust cleaning companies that have properly qualified personnel.

Restaurant owners or operators have the right to ask the cleaning company to show you their qualification credentials. The information they should produce is:

1. A current City of Calgary business license, and
2. Certification from International Kitchen Equipment Cleaners Association (IKECA), or
3. Certification from Pressure Washers of North America (PWNA), or
4. Certification from Applied Science Technologists & Technicians of BC (ASTTBC), or
5. Certification from Phil Ackland Kitchen Exhaust Training,
or
Companies performing the cleaning of your exhaust system may also carry and Alberta Fire Safety Association identification card that specifies they meet the qualifications of the Fire Code.

Regular cleaning of kitchen exhaust systems reduce the occurrence of duct fires by removing grease residue resulting from cooking operations. This maintenance procedure requires special knowledge in exhaust system installation and maintenance as prescribed in NFPA 96, “Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Equipment”.

It is important for owners and operators to know that the entire system that includes the fan, all of the ductwork, plenums and hoods must be cleaned in order to conform to the standard. Qualified cleaners will know this and are responsible to provide this level of service. Any company not cleaning the entire exhaust system is not in conformance with the standard and is subject to losing their business license. You as the owner will be required to obtain the services of a company that does perform the necessary work.

Restaurant owners have always been required to have duct systems inspected and cleaned by service companies. Unfortunately, Owners placed too much weight on price and not enough on quality of work. In many cases, all that was previously cleaned was the visible parts of the ducts and plenums.


WHAT RESTAURANT OWNERS SHOULD KNOW

Depending on the type and volume of cooking at a restaurant an inspection by a qualified person needs to be performed according to the following table:

NFPA Table 11.3 Schedule of Inspection for Grease Buildup
Type or Volume of Cooking Frequency Frequency
Systems serving solid fuel cooking operations Monthly
Systems serving high-volume cooking operations, such as 24-hour cooking, charbroiling, or wok cooking Quarterly
Systems serving moderate-volume cooking operations Semiannually
Systems serving low-volume cooking operations, such as churches, day camps, seasonal businesses, or senior centers Annually

Cleaning of Exhaust Systems

Exhaust systems are required to be cleaned when an inspection reveals the exhaust system is contaminated with deposits from grease-laden vapours.

The cleaning of the system is to be performed by a properly trained, qualified, and certified company or person(s) acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.

The primary focus of an inspection for cleanliness is to establish whether the volume of grease buildup within the exhaust system warrants cleaning and to determine whether adequate access is available throughout the exhaust system to remove the grease buildup.

Hoods, grease removal devices, fans, ducts, and other appurtenances should be cleaned to remove combustible contaminants to a minimum of 50 microns (0.002 in.)

NFPA 96 Standard “Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Equipment”:

3.3.37 Qualified. A competent and capable person or company that has met the requirements and training for a given field acceptable to the AHJ.

3.3.47* Trained. A person who has become proficient in performing a skill reliably and safely through instruction and practice/field experience acceptable to the AHJ.

A.3.3.47 Trained. Formal and /or technical training can be administered by the employer or a recognized training program.

If there are any questions please contact me.

Sincerely



Stan Sauvé sco
Fire Inspector 1
City of Calgary Fire Department
Cell 863 – 6875
Fax 974 – 3182
Stan.sauve@calgary.ca
 
Something I am doing in calgary !!

To: __________________________

I have completed a fire inspection and taken photographs of the work that you had performed on ………………
yyymmdd

at …………………………………………… located at ………………………………….

Calgary, Alberta,

I find that the quality of your work does not meet the NFPA 96 Standard* as referenced in the Alberta Fire Code.

*NFPA 96 Standard A.11.4.2 Hoods, grease removal devices, fans, ducts, and other appurtenances shall be cleaned to remove combustible contaminants to a minimum of 50 microns (0.002in)

This is your first warning, if a second letter is required a copy of this letter along with photographic evidence will be sent to the Fire Marshal, the City of Calgary Business Licensing for review.

Non compliance with the fire and life safety requirements of the Alberta Fire Code could result in fines of not more than $15,000 and in the case of a continuing offence, to further fines of up to $1,000 a day. In addition, the Calgary Fire Department approval of your current business license could be withdrawn.

Calgary Fire Department - Safety Codes Officer:

______________________________ ________
Print Name SCO #

______________________________
Signature

Date:__________ Time:_________ hrs
 
Stan, Are those letters already in use? If so, how are they being received by the restaurant owners? Are you getting complaints? Have you had to send out the second letter yet?
 
Stan-I agree with what you are doing and you should be commended. One thing that I do not agree with, is the requirement to have a business license from the city that you are working in. For example, in the Los Angles proper there are 56 cities. This can create a overwhelming burden is cost and paperwork overload. The cleaner should have an active business license or a contractor license.:)
 
I agree with David about individual city business licenses. 171 incorporated cities in our primary service area of Orange, Ventura, San Diego, Riverside and Los Angeles Counties
 
Pretty severe. An over-zealous inspector could ruin your life. I have seen this kind of authority in another field - many years ago. It degenerated into a form a graft. It is just as bad today. Probably not a concern in Calgary, but I am aware of some places where this could easily occur. This is a grave concern.
Richard
 
Interesting letter / requirements Stan.

I had a lot typed here which I just erased..... but if you can answer this one question, it might help answer some of the questions / comments I had originally written.

1) How are you prepaired to mesure the 50 microns (0.002in)?
 
edit... sorry :)
 
Josh.
I know its hard for you because your still payin for Rustys new Cadillac.he he he.

You can always go independent.



David & Grant have very good points.
 
As a added general concern with the fire inspectors and their experience regarding this level of work. All of have seen newly graduated fire fighter given the introduction job of covering all restaurant inspections. Loaded with white shirts, white hats and clip boards rating possible fire issues. Last year we were called to clean a new installed hood before the unit was to be open. They tend to be less than responsive to logic coming from someone who has yet to graduate from the academy.

The inspectors and the cleaners must be credible, not just the cleaner.:)
 
David summed it up precisely. FWIW it is not myself with which I am concerned - I have nearly sufficient retirement income and can walk away any time I choose. I just happen to LIKE this work. Weird, eh?
Richard
 
Interesting comments

Grant
Yes these letters are in use I passed them by our lwa dept. first
I am getting mixed reactions but on the whole most are positive. I am supprised at the great response from the cleaners, they are glad I am on board with them. The restaurant owners are also glad as they can count on me. Seems to be a win win situation so far.

David
In Calgary one must have a business license to operate Thats how they generate more money so they can pay us our "High'" wages ya right !

Grizzly
50 microns who knows , I just use some common sence if is clean its good !

Lack of experiance with new inspectors has always been a problem And being new we have a mane for them They are "Green and Keen !"

As for me well ... that another matter. I will elaborate if you wish

mtngoat
Hmmmmmm not sure about u Hope you all (Y'all) had a great hoiliday season ..... Stan
 
Sense of humor Stan the man. "welcome to America"
Being new to the board as you are, You may experince what we here in America call fun. I wasnt knocking your letter just having some fun with Josh. The letter I think is a grand idea.

What qualifications and or schooling do you have Stan?
Seriously, what kind of education does one need to aquire a position such as yours. I had considered in the past doing what you are doing for a living.
College required,special instruction, etc.? Oh and this is the SECOND time I have inquired. We aren't to shure bout U Stan.lol
 
Stan
I was under the impression that your city is a test for the success of the program. In the future city, townships and so on would adapt the program. I would think that if we spot a bump in the road. To have the cleaner take out a license in each city/town within his market would doom this program for the certified cleaner. If you are the one who has the ear of the ruling AHJ-please make the change. This is a big issue-not a “Oh Well” issue.
 
Q and A

Gentalmen
Please do not get hung up on the business license issue. It is a way Cities generate revenue. If it is not mandatory in your area be thankful.

mntgoat......I am not sure what happened to you fun letter. I thought that you might be joking but not quite sure. Should have known better with a nick name like yours. ya got me this time !!! No offence taken but I will get even LOL

You asked about my education in the field of inspections.

Well....I have been with the Calgary Fire Department as a firefighter for 18 yrs and another 9 as a Fire Inspector.

I am a ceritified Level 2 SCO for the Province of Alberta. I am a Level 2 Certified Fire Inspector through NFPA. I have taught the level 1 NFPA course to our new Fire inspectors in Calgary

I am a Certified Kitchen Exhaust Inspector and have assisted in course instruction for Insurance and Fire Inspectors. Also have taken the Cleaners course and a Fire Suppresion Inspection course.

The new Fire Code will be introduced in 2006. In it it states ALL Comercial Kitchen Cleaners must become certified. What I am doing is working with the cleaners so they are certified before the introduction of the code. Along with this we are starting to educate the restaurant owners of their responsibility with keeping their systems clean to the accepted standard.
Making it a Win Win situation The cleaners and restaurant owners know what standard I will accept. "I know in a perfect world"

Have a great day
Stan
 
Investigators Seminar

I look forward to your seminar maybe....Will guys like me (at the bottom) be allowed in?:rolleyes: And could you supply a few more details of your up-coming meeting? Thanks :cool:
 
heres more to comment on

Calgary Fire Department
P.O.Box 2100 Stn. M #48
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

2005/03/15

Re: Kitchen Canopy Exhaust Cleaning

To: Whom It May Concern


The Alberta Fire Code 1997 references NFPA 96 for kitchen canopy exhaust cleaning.

NFPA 96, 2002, 11.4.14 states: “Where required, certificates of inspection and maintenance shall be forwarded to the authority having jurisdiction.”

The Calgary Fire Department is now requiring that you forward a written report outlining any deficiencies or fire hazards found at the time of your inspection. If the owner or his agent has the deficiency corrected you will forward a written report outlining the corrective measures taken and confirming that the kitchen canopy and exhaust system is now in compliance with NFPA 96.

If there are any questions please contact me.


Sincerely


Stan Sauvé
Fire Inspector 1
City of Calgary Fire Department
Cell 863 – 6875




Re: Fire Suppression System Inspections

To: Whom It May Concern

The Alberta Fire Code 1997, 6.1.1.3.4) states:
“Where a person who carries out the maintenance of a portable fire extinguisher, fire extinguishing system, fire alarm system or a fire alarm device discovers that the device or system is inoperative or defective and the owner or his authorized agent is unwilling or unable to correct the defect, the person carrying our the maintenance shall forthwith, in writing, notify the fire department and the owner or his authorized agent of that notification.”

“Inoperative” is defined as the system not operating as it was designed by the Manufacturer.

“Defective” is defined as the system not being installed as per the Manufacturer’s design manual, NFPA 17A, NFPA 96, or the Alberta Fire Code.

“Inspection and Servicing” An inspection and servicing of the kitchen canopy fire-extinguishing systems shall be made at least every 6 months by properly trained and qualified persons. Where required, certificates of inspection and maintenance shall be forwarded to the authority having jurisdiction.

Effective immediately, The Calgary Fire Department requires companies performing the Inspection of Fire Suppression Systems comply with the Alberta Fire Code and NFPA Standards.


If there are any questions please contact me.

Sincerely,

Stan Sauvé SCO
Fire Inspector 1
City of Calgary Fire Department
Cell 863 – 6875
Fax 567-5098

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