NFPA 96 Kitchen Hood Compliance in Montreal

A non-compliant hood can lead to a fire inspector’s order, a temporary closure, or an insurance refusal. Nadair Ventilation installs and brings commercial kitchen exhaust systems into compliance across Montreal and Greater Montreal, per the requirements that apply in Quebec. We are an installation-only commercial contractor, RBQ licensed 5844-3979-01.

What the fire inspector checks

During an inspection, the fire prevention officer (the authority having jurisdiction) verifies that the exhaust system actually protects the building and its occupants. Key items include:

• Hood type and construction relative to the cooking equipment
• Clearances between the hood and combustible surfaces
• Exhaust duct: material, tightness, slope and protection
• Access doors for inspection and cleaning
• Rooftop discharge and its distance from air intakes and combustibles
• Automatic fire suppression and its maintenance
• Presence and effectiveness of make-up air

The Quebec framework

Commercial kitchen exhaust design relies on fire-prevention standards for cooking operations, adopted through the Quebec Construction Code, and on good practice in ventilation. In practice: the hood and duct must be built and installed to resist fire, grease must be discharged safely, and access for inspection and cleaning must be provided. Exact requirements vary with the cooking type and building configuration.

Note on MAPAQ: MAPAQ oversees the food permit and food safety. It does not certify kitchen hoods. Hood compliance falls under fire-prevention requirements and local inspection.

The most common deficiencies

1. Insufficient clearances between hood, duct and combustible materials.
2. Non-compliant duct: wrong material, untight joints, incorrect slope.
3. Missing access doors, preventing duct inspection and cleaning.
4. Absent or undersized make-up air: the kitchen runs at negative pressure, the hood loses capture and exhaust becomes ineffective.
5. Poorly placed discharge: too close to an air intake, window or combustible.
6. Grease accumulation in the duct due to lack of access and maintenance.

Fixing deficiencies without closing your restaurant

A fix does not necessarily require a long closure. We first assess the order you received and the real condition of the system, then propose the most direct corrective work: replacing a duct section, adding access doors, correcting clearances, repositioning the discharge, or adding a make-up air unit. Most steps can be scheduled outside service hours; only roof penetration and final connections require a short planned closure.

Insurers and documentation

Many insurers require proof that a compliant exhaust system was installed and documented. We provide system documentation (installed equipment, compliance, commissioning) that supports your file and simplifies future inspections.

Frequently asked questions

My restaurant failed a ventilation inspection. What should I do?

Prioritize the fix: a non-compliant hood can trigger further orders or insurance consequences. We assess quickly and propose a compliant solution. Call us for a diagnosis.

What is an access door and why is it required?

An access door is an opening that allows the inside of the duct to be inspected and cleaned. Without it, grease accumulation cannot be controlled and the inspection fails.

Does MAPAQ certify my hood?

No. MAPAQ issues the food permit and oversees food safety. Hood compliance falls under fire-prevention requirements and the fire inspector’s review.

Do I need a Type I or Type II hood?

Type I for appliances producing grease or smoke; Type II for steam, heat and odours without grease. The cooking type determines the choice.

Can you fix it without closing the restaurant?

Most often yes: we schedule work outside service hours, with a short planned closure for rooftop steps.

Let’s talk about your kitchen

Nadair Ventilation serves Montreal, Laval, the South Shore, the North Shore and the West Island. Call (514) 213-0626 or email projets@nad-air.ca. For the full overview, see our restaurant ventilation and commercial kitchen hood page.