KEC Compliance Training | NFPA 96 & ANSI/IKECA C10-2021 | PWNA

Kitchen exhaust cleaning is a fire-safety discipline, not just a cleaning job. PWNA gives contractors, technicians, and business owners the training, certification, and compliance pathway to prove they meet the standard — NFPA 96 and ANSI/IKECA C10-2021.

Technical Requirements and Standards

Why KEC Compliance Matters

Conference room with masked attendees seated in rows under chandeliers, facing a presenter at the front.
Stainless steel kitchen exhaust hoods and ventilation ducts overhead in an industrial kitchen
Empty commercial kitchen with stainless steel counters and orange tile floor, viewed down a long aisle

Commercial kitchen exhaust systems accumulate grease and combustible residue fast — and when that buildup isn't cleaned to code, it becomes one of the most preventable fire hazards in the industry. PWNA's KEC compliance training covers NFPA 96 Standards for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations, along with ANSI/IKECA standards for professional hood and duct cleaning, preparing contractors to meet regulatory requirements and keep commercial kitchens safe..

For kitchen exhaust cleaning

KEC Enterprise

$1,500 / year

The complete Enterprise package plus KEC-specific compliance support.

  • Everything in Enterprise
  • Unlimited certification and continuing education
  • Technician app and company dashboard
  • Customized safety manual
  • Annual convention pass after six months
  • Unlimited KEC compliance exams

Reference Library

KEC Standards & Safety ReFERENCES

The codes, standards, and safety guidance behind every PWNA KEC training and certification program — straight from the source.

NFPA 96

The Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations — the code every PWNA certification is built on.

KEC Standards & Safety Resources

The International Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Association — co-developer of the ANSI/IKECA C10-2021 standard and a leading voice in the trade.

KEC Overview

A plain-language primer on kitchen exhaust cleaning — what it is, why it matters, and the fire risks it prevents.

OSHA 1910.94

OSHA's Ventilation standard, covering the design and upkeep of exhaust hood, duct, and fan systems technicians work on every day.

The Compliance Exam

Audience seated in a conference room under chandeliers, listening to a presentation

PWNA has been serving the pressure washing and exterior cleaning industry as a nonprofit organization since 1992. We are proud to offer a Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning compliance online exam based on NFPA 96 and ANSI/IKECA C10-2021 standards.

This exam is available to:

  • PWNA members
  • Non-members
  • Company representatives
  • Employees
  • Office staff
  • Technicians


PWNA recognizes the growing need for Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning compliance in the industry. This program helps companies, employees, and AHJs better understand and demonstrate compliance with current industry standards.


PASSING SCORE

To demonstrate compliance, participants must receive a score of 75% or higher on the PWNA compliance online exam.


RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS

Compliance is valid for two years.

To stay current, companies and employees must renew every two years by completing continuing education or retaking the updated exam at a reduced fee.


REFERENCE MATERIALS

For this exam, and for ongoing use in your business, participants should reference the current industry standards for Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning.

Recommended reference materials include:


These standards are important resources for understanding proper cleaning requirements, safety practices, and compliance expectations for Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning.


FAQ Section — KEC Compliance

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What's the difference between the Training School, Owner Certification, and Technician Certification?

    The Training School is hands-on instruction for building real skill. The Owner and Technician Certification tests verify knowledge you already have — one from a business leadership angle, one from a field technician angle. Many companies use the school to build knowledge, then certify to prove it.

  • What is PWNA's KEC compliance program?

    A compliance testing program built around NFPA 96 and ANSI/IKECA C10-2021 — giving companies and their teams a credible way to demonstrate they know current kitchen exhaust cleaning standards.

  • Do I have to be a PWNA member to participate?

    No. Training, certification, and compliance testing are all open to members and non-members.

  • What score do I need to pass the compliance exam?

    75% or higher.

  • How long is compliance valid?

    Two years from the date of passing. Renewal requires continuing education or a retake at a reduced $59 fee.

  • What does the compliance program cost?

    KEC Per Compliance is $249 for company compliance and $59 per employee. KEC Enterprise is $1,500/year and includes unlimited employee compliance plus full PWNA membership benefits.

  • Can I use my compliance in marketing?

    Yes. A simple, effective line: "Our personnel have demonstrated compliance knowledge through PWNA's NFPA 96 and ANSI/IKECA C10-2021 Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning compliance program."

  • Will this be accepted in every jurisdiction?

    Acceptance can vary — check with your local Fire Marshal. AHJs also get free access to review the exam directly.

  • Should I purchase the standards themselves?

    Yes. PWNA strongly recommends owning NFPA 96 and ANSI/IKECA C10-2021 for test prep and ongoing reference in your business.