Duct Access & Repair
Access Panel Installation & Duct Repair
NFPA 96 requires access to every foot of grease duct. We install grease-tight access panels and repair duct sections so the whole system can actually be cleaned.
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You cannot clean what you cannot reach
Many kitchens fail inspection for a reason nobody sees: duct runs with no access panels. Sections that cannot be reached do not get cleaned, grease accumulates out of sight, and the certification on the hood does not reflect the state of the duct.
We install grease-tight access panels at the intervals NFPA 96 calls for, repair damaged or leaking duct sections, and seal seams so grease stays inside the duct where the next cleaning can remove it.
Scope
Panels, repair, and sealing
Access panel installation
Grease-rated panels installed on horizontal and vertical duct runs at code-required intervals, placed where cleaners can actually work.
Grease duct repair
Damaged, corroded, or separated duct sections repaired so the exhaust path stays continuous and contained.
Leak sealing
Seams and penetrations sealed grease-tight — a leaking duct drips grease into ceilings and wall cavities where nobody wants to find it.
Compliance documentation
Panel locations documented after installation so every future cleaning crew and inspector knows the full system is reachable.
Why It Matters
The fix that makes every cleaning a real cleaning
Inspection-proof access
Fire marshals check for duct access. Panels at the right intervals close out one of the most common NFPA 96 write-ups.
No hidden grease
Unreachable duct sections are where duct fires start. Access panels turn hidden fuel into cleanable surface.
Done by exhaust specialists
Installed by the crew that cleans these systems, so panel placement reflects how cleaning actually happens.
Open It Up
Told your duct cannot be fully cleaned?
That is an access problem, and it is fixable. We will survey the duct run and quote panels and repairs in one visit.
How It Works
Our access panels & duct repair process
Survey the duct run
Full duct path traced and every unreachable section flagged against NFPA 96 access requirements.
Install panels
Grease-tight access panels installed at code intervals, placed where cleaning crews can actually work.
Repair and seal
Damaged sections repaired and seams sealed grease-tight so nothing drips into ceilings or walls.
Map the access
Panel locations documented so every future cleaning and inspection knows the system is fully reachable.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need duct access panels?
NFPA 96 requires the entire exhaust duct to be cleanable, and cleaning crews can only clean what they can reach. Duct runs without access panels accumulate grease out of sight — a fire risk and one of the most common inspection write-ups in the DMV.
How many access panels does my duct need?
It depends on the length and geometry of the run — NFPA 96 specifies maximum intervals and locations at changes of direction. We survey the full duct path and quote exactly what your system needs to be fully reachable.
My hood cleaner says sections of duct cannot be cleaned. Is that normal?
It is common, and it is fixable. That note on your cleaning report means grease is accumulating in sections nobody can reach. Panels installed at the right points turn those hidden sections into cleanable surface.
Do you repair leaking grease ducts?
Yes. Separated seams, corrosion, and penetrations get repaired and sealed grease-tight. A leaking duct drips grease into ceiling and wall cavities — a problem that gets more expensive the longer it runs.
Certifications & Compliance
Licensed, Insured & Compliant
NFPA 96 Compliant
All hood cleaning meets or exceeds NFPA 96 fire safety standards with full documentation provided.
Licensed & Insured
Fully licensed and insured for commercial kitchen maintenance in Virginia, Maryland, and DC.
Certified Technicians
Our team is trained and certified in commercial kitchen exhaust system cleaning and maintenance.
Health Code Compliant
Services designed to help your kitchen pass local health department inspections.
Related Services
Complete Kitchen Maintenance
Where We Offer This Service
Access Panels & Duct Repair across the DMV
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