Kitchen Exhaust Inspection Readiness for Charleston-Area Operators

Use cooking volume to set the interval

South Carolina fire-code guidance reflected by the City of Charleston lists one-month inspections for solid-fuel cooking, three months for high-volume operations, six months for other operations and twelve months for low-volume or seasonal kitchens. The authority having jurisdiction can approve a different interval.

• Solid fuel: inspect monthly
• High-volume, 24-hour, charbroiling or wok: every 3 months
• Most other operations: every 6 months
• Low-volume or seasonal kitchens: every 12 months

Keep an evidence packet

Retain the contractor's scope, date, findings, before-and-after photos, deficiency notes and service label information. The City of Charleston's published program calls for records and qualified providers; confirm the exact requirements for your North Charleston address with the local fire official.

Treat deficiencies as a separate decision

A cleaning report may flag inaccessible duct sections, missing access panels, fan hinge problems or damaged grease containment. Ask for these items to be separated from routine cleaning so they can be assigned and tracked.