Illinois requirements
Checked against the published sources below on October 2, 2026. Re-verify before you rely on it.
Fire codes are amended, re-adopted and changed locally, often without notice. This page is a summary of public documents, not a confirmation from your fire authority and not legal advice. Confirm the requirements that apply to your property with your local Authority Having Jurisdiction. HoodStamp makes no warranty that this information is complete, current or applicable to your situation and accepts no liability for any decision or action taken on the basis of it.
Code in force
NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, 2015 edition, adopted by the Office of the State Fire Marshal in 41 Ill. Adm. Code 100, effective January 1, 2020.
The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal has adopted the 2015 edition of NFPA 101, the Life Safety Code, as the state's fire prevention and safety rules (Title 41, Illinois Administrative Code, Part 100). For commercial cooking it points to NFPA 96.
Commercial cooking follows NFPA 96
The State Fire Marshal references NFPA 96, the Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations, for commercial kitchen exhaust systems.
Inspection and cleaning baseline
NFPA 96 sets the minimum schedule by cooking type: monthly for solid fuel, quarterly for high volume, semi-annually for moderate volume and annually for low volume, with cleaning to bare metal wherever grease has built up.
Local layer
In the State Fire Marshal's words, locally adopted codes and regulations apply concurrently with the state's requirements, so a city or fire protection district can add its own. Where they differ, plan for the stricter rule and confirm it with your fire department.
NFPA 96 baseline
NFPA 96 (Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations) is the nationally adopted standard for kitchen exhaust cleaning. Every HoodStamp certificate references it.
Cleaning frequency by cooking volume
Solid fuel: monthly. High-volume cooking (24/7 operations, wok, char-broil): quarterly. Moderate volume: semi-annually. Low volume (seasonal, church, day camp): annually. Your local AHJ may require more frequent service.
Cleaning to bare metal
The entire exhaust system — hoods, filters, plenum, ducts, exhaust fan, and rooftop grease containment — should be cleaned to bare metal where accessible. Areas that cannot be cleaned to bare metal must be documented.
Documentation required
After each cleaning, the servicing contractor must provide a written report identifying the date, areas that were and were not cleaned, and any deficiencies. HoodStamp’s certificate template covers each of these fields.
Access panels & inspection points
NFPA 96 requires access panels at each change of direction and at 12-ft intervals along horizontal ducts. Missing access is a common finding — call it out under Deficiencies on the certificate.
This page is a starting point, not legal advice. Always verify current requirements with your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (fire marshal or fire prevention office).