What to Do After a Failed Kitchen Inspection

Inspector reviewing a commercial kitchen hood system during an inspection in North Carolina

If you own or manage a commercial kitchen, you’re familiar with the stress of an unexpected kitchen inspection. At any time, a representative from the local health department, working under oversight from federal agencies like the FDA or USDA, may visit your facility for a surprise unannounced inspection. This can happen between one and four times per year and failing an inspection can have dire consequences. Hoods Unlimited offers dedicated, expert guidance for restaurant and commercial kitchen owners and facility managers facing a failed kitchen inspection in Georgia or North Carolina. We work tirelessly and diligently to provide urgent and emergency kitchen cleaning and fire safety services to bring your facility into compliance according to the stated deadline. Keep reading to find out what you should do after a failed inspection.

Most Common Reasons for Failed Commercial Kitchen Inspections

Understanding the most common reasons for a failed health inspection at a restaurant or a failed fire inspection at a commercial kitchen can help you protect your facility so that it won’t happen to you. While each commercial kitchen is unique, there are some issues that any facility may be vulnerable to. If a surprise inspection detects any of these problems, you could face fines, fees, citations, and damage to your reputation:

Lack of documentation regarding kitchen cleaning, safety training, inspections, maintenance, or repairs
Lack of a fire suppression system or a non-certified, non-compliant, malfunctioning, damaged, or neglected system
Dirty or greasy ventilation or exhaust system components
Lack of a functioning ventilation hood or exhaust system
Lack of access control panels in ductwork
No fire extinguishers or fire blankets available
Blocked exits or pathways, or a lack of emergency exits
Visible electrical hazards like frayed wires, uncovered outlets, or open electrical panels
Improper storage of chemicals or flammable or combustible liquids
Failure to update exhaust and ventilation systems or fire suppression systems after renovations, upgrades, or installation of new cooking equipment

Understanding the Consequences of a Failed Fire Safety Inspection

Failing a fire safety inspection can cause immediate, severe consequences for a commercial kitchen. Being proactive and diligent about required inspections, maintenance, cleaning, and upgrades can mitigate your risk of:

Business closure until violations are corrected
Expensive emergency cleaning services to bring you into compliance
Legal and financial liability due to a fire or injury on your property
Fines and penalties imposed by regulatory agencies
Insurance complications or increased premiums
Lost revenue
Reputational damage

Steps to Take After a Failed Fire Inspection at a Commercial Kitchen

There are certain steps you must take immediately after a failed fire inspection. We recommend that you call us right away to get our expert guidance and determine what needs to be done to bring you into compliance by the deadline imposed by the inspecting agency. Follow these steps:

Review the inspection report to identify the specific violations and the remedies required.
Determine if you need to close your business immediately in order to make repairs.
Contact our licensed, certified professionals for emergency hood and exhaust cleaning or fire suppression system maintenance.
Maintain careful documentation, including before and after pictures and detailed reports, to provide to the inspector.
Schedule a follow-up or re-inspection date.
Ensure all staff fully understand the results of the inspection and the consequences of non-compliance.
Work with us to design a comprehensive preventive maintenance program to ensure no further failed inspections.

Emergency Hood Cleaning After a Failed Inspection

We provide fast, reliable, certified commercial hood cleaning services to facilities facing a failed inspection. Our technicians can often arrive on the same day to review the inspection report and develop a comprehensive plan to rectify the situation by the deadline imposed. We prioritize all requests for emergency hood cleaning, and the latest we will arrive is within 48 hours of the request. We also offer rush services for a $250 fee. We will work around your schedule to minimize disruption and get you back on track as quickly as possible. We follow NFPA 96 standards, local fire code requirements, and health department regulations and ensure full compliance. When we’re done, we will provide detailed documentation to confirm compliance. Our technicians will clean the entire exhaust system, including:

Kitchen hood interior and exterior
Filters
Vertical and horizontal ductwork
Exhaust fans and roof containment systems

Preventing Failed Inspections with Ongoing Maintenance Plans

Our team can also help you avoid future failed inspections through our ongoing maintenance plans. We will go over your detailed service report to determine the optimal schedule for future hood, exhaust system, and duct cleaning. We can ensure you never fail another inspection again by:

Determining the Optimal Cleaning and Maintenance Frequency – We will determine the correct service interval based on the size and type of your commercial kitchen, its volume, the type of equipment, the grease output, and local code requirements. We offer personalized quarterly, bi-monthly, or monthly cleaning and maintenance services as well as on-demand inspections, maintenance, and repairs.
Maintenance of Consistent Reporting and Records – Inspectors want proof. We provide it on every visit, utilizing The Compliance Engine, a web-based platform for tracking, reporting on, and maintaining service records. This program allows for fast submission of inspection, testing, and maintenance records to the AHJ for review and action, as well as data management and aggregation for improved compliance planning.
Development of a Personalized, Long-Term Compliance Strategy – Many of our customers come to us after failing with another provider. They stay because we prevent repeat issues—not just fix them once. With over 20 years of experience in industry and a team of industry professionals, we have the training and knowledge needed to guarantee success.

Schedule an Appointment for Emergency Hood Cleaning

Hoods Unlimited specializes in correcting urgent and emergency issues that resulted in a failed inspection. We offer emergency hood cleaning and fire suppression system maintenance for kitchens that are at risk of shutdown, have re-inspection deadlines, and need immediate compliance services. Each member of our team is certified in NFPA 96 standards and offers professional, dedicated solutions designed to ensure you pass your next inspection. Call us now or contact us online to schedule an appointment for emergency hood cleaning in Georgia or North Carolina.