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Associated Press
14 hours ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Grease Trap Cleaning Protects NYC Facilities from Fire and Environmental Hazards
In New York City's bustling hospitals, nursing homes, restaurants, and commercial kitchens, a silent danger lurks overhead and underground: built-up grease. BROOKLYN, NY, UNITED STATES, June 2, 2025 / / -- In New York City's bustling hospitals, nursing homes, restaurants, and commercial kitchens, a silent danger lurks overhead and underground: built-up grease. What looks like harmless residue in a kitchen exhaust hood or grease trap can ignite into a dangerous blaze or clog the city's sewer pipes. Industry experts say routine restaurant grease cleaning services and grease trap cleaning NYC aren't just a suggestion – they're a public safety mandate. As one seasoned kitchen manager put it, 'If you skimp on these cleanings, that grease is gonna bite you back sooner or later.' Even chefs who talk a mile a minute will tell you: grease cleanup is a matter of life and fire-safety. In every critical facility from a Manhattan hospital cafeteria to a Bronx diner, the rule is the same: keep the grease moving out, not settled in. In the South, folks might fuss over grandma's gravy recipe, but here in NYC, letting fat and oil pool anywhere in the kitchen is unthinkable. Neglected grease traps and dirty exhaust hoods can transform a routine cooking day into an inferno. According to fire safety standards (NFPA 96), vaporized grease in ductwork will eventually solidify and become 'an inevitable fire hazard'. Filta Kleen 's general manager Tony Marino warns bluntly, 'It's like having a campfire in your kitchen. You gotta clean that hood every quarter, or you'll see flames before you know it.' In short: kitchen ventilation safety is non-negotiable. When even a stray spark meets congealed fat on a hood or fan, the fire can spread faster than oil in a skillet – turning a commercial hood into a missile launcher for flames. City fire codes make no exceptions. All commercial cooking systems in New York must be designed and maintained to prevent grease buildup. Filta Kleen crews know this well: they're FDNY-certified and clean to the letter of NFPA 96 standards. 'Y'see an old hood covered in grease, it's just dumb luck if nothing goes wrong,' Marino adds. In fact, cooking is a leading cause of urban fires. Every year inspectors find kitchens with clogged filters or missing clean-out doors – little invites to catastrophe. A frontline firefighter once remarked that a greasy, unclean hood is the best friend a fire could have. That's why commercial hood installation must be done right the first time. Filta Kleen even fabricates new exhaust hoods that meet NFPA 96 standards, so eateries and hospitals start off with proper ventilation that vents heat and smoke safely outside. When hoods, fans and ductwork are properly installed and cleaned regularly, kitchens run cooler, cooks breathe easier, and the risk of an explosive grease fire drops dramatically. Beyond safety, New York's health and building codes are relentless about grease. City rules require that grease interceptors (traps) be maintained in good working order with routine cleanings so trapped fat never exceeds 25% of the tank. In practice that means restaurants, hospitals and nursing homes must pump out or service their grease traps often – typically every 30 to 90 days depending on volume. The NYC Department of Environmental Protection makes this clear: every food-service facility must install and regularly clean grease interceptors, or face fines. Even the Health Department's inspector checklist calls for grease traps to be 'clean and well maintained'– no excuses. Non-compliance can shut a kitchen down. 'One little overlook,' says Marino, 'and the next thing you know, the DOH or FDNY is walkin' in with a citation.' Certified technicians are the only answer. Filta Kleen's crews carry the city's Certificate of Fitness for hood cleaning, proof that each job meets FDNY and NFPA standards. They log their work, tag each unit, and give customers a report. 'When inspectors check, they want that clean!,' Marino notes. 'If your hood looks shiny and your records are on point, you're staying open. If not, forget about it.' Envirogreen's Lisa Patel echoes the sentiment. 'We tell clients: treat this like surgery for your kitchen. Only pros should handle the dirty work. You want those official decals and logs on the wall.' In short, kitchen ventilation safety isn't a DIY weekend project. It requires licensed plumbers for trap installation, FDNY-certified cleaning crews, and strict scheduling so every hospital cafeteria or school kitchen sails smoothly through inspections. The stakes extend far beyond fire codes. Improper grease disposal can choke New York's infrastructure. City officials confirm that fats, oils, and grease (FOG) are responsible for roughly 60% of sewer backups. When a trap overflows or someone pours fat down the drain, that grease doesn't vanish – it coagulates into 'fatbergs' that can clog miles of pipe. The result? Raw sewage spills into basements, streets and rivers, threatening public health. New Yorkers have seen it: neighborhoods with foul odors, rats in alleys, and storm drains coated in greasy slime. The NYC DEP sternly warns, 'If fat, oil and grease enter the sewers, lines clog and sewage back up into basements of homes and restaurants. The entire community suffers'. On the flip side, cleaned grease has value. The city has even launched pilots to turn trap grease into renewable energy. 'We're sitting on a goldmine of green energy here,' says Lisa Patel of Envirogreen. 'But you gotta capture it first – not flush it into the river.' Envirogreen partners with restaurants and hospitals to collect used cooking oil and wasted grease. Patel jokes, 'I always tell folks, don't be that guy who dumps a gallon of grease down the sink. We'll pick it up, and maybe one day your fried chicken oil will power a bus instead of a clogged manhole.' The upshot: grease trap cleaning NYC isn't just a fine-avoidance trick, it's responsible stewardship. Each trap cleaned keeps waterways cleaner and can even reduce a facility's carbon footprint. Providers on the ground underscore one message: don't wait for disaster to strike. Filta Kleen's Tony Marino offers this straight talk: 'We're runnin' kitchens like you wouldn't believe – in hospitals, nursing homes, restaurants. Y'all can't be playin' games with grease. Keep it clean, log it, and your kitchen stays cookin'.' Envirogreen's Lisa Patel adds a New Yorker's blunt wisdom: 'Don't be cheap about it. Think of that grease trap like a savings account for your building's safety. Skip a withdrawal and you'll pay double in fires or fixes. We see it all – a neglected trap, then bam, next thing you got fire engines or flooded cellars. Clean it now, save yourself the headache later.' In a conversational Southern tone one might hear in the back of a New York bodega, she continues, 'Hey, I get it – kitchens are busy and budgets are tight. But this is one expense you can't dodge. Keep those experts in on schedule and make sure that grease goes out the door, not down the drain.' Across New York City, the story is the same. From fast-food diners in Harlem to the largest hospital kitchens in Brooklyn, maintaining kitchen ventilation safety and clean grease traps is essential. Certified cleaning and proper commercial hood installation prevent fires, ensure regulatory compliance, and protect the city's environment. As Marino sums up, 'A clean kitchen is a safe kitchen. It's just that simple.' Restaurant owners and facility managers are taking note: routine deep-cleans, FDNY-certified hood cleaning teams, and professional grease trap service are now as standard as the day's first flame. The bottom line is universal – in NYC, glossing over grease isn't an option. By investing in expert grease management today, New York's critical facilities keep their doors open, their people safe, and the city's sewers flowing smoothly. Gabriel Jean Filta Kleen Co. +1 7184954747 email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Zawya
15 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
NFPA signs MoU with Saudi Facility Management Association to upskill the Kingdom's facility management workforce
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Facility Management Association (SFMA), a key organization dedicated to advancing vocational training for facility managers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Formalized in Riyadh, the MoU sets the stage for a strategic collaboration focused on enhancing fire safety standards across the Kingdom. The MoU was signed by Olga Caledonia, director for International Business Development at NFPA, and Aiyd A. Alqahtani, board chairman at SFMA. As part of this strategic collaboration, NFPA and SFMA will work together to share knowledge, best practices, and research insights to strengthen fire and life safety awareness across Saudi Arabia. The partnership includes plans to co-host conferences, develop certification programs, and launch training initiatives focused on raising safety standards. By empowering facilities management professionals with the latest tools and expertise, the collaboration aims to drive meaningful improvements in fire and life safety across the Kingdom. 'Saudi Arabia is undergoing rapid development across sectors, from housing to hospitality, and from smart cities to iconic mega-projects, placing it firmly among the world's fastest-growing economies. With this scale and speed of growth, comes a heightened need for robust fire and life safety measures to ensure that progress is not compromised by preventable risks. Through our partnership with SFMA, we are proud to support this national momentum by bringing NFPA's nearly 130 years of expertise and a portfolio of more than 300 globally recognized codes and standards to assist in preventing loss,' said Olga Caledonia, director of International Business Development at NFPA. ' At SFMA, our mission is to elevate the professional capabilities of facilities managers throughout Saudi Arabia, in alignment with Vision 2030's goals of building safer, healthier, and more dynamic communities. This collaboration with NFPA will amplify our efforts by providing access to international best practices in fire and life safety, enriching training programs, and promoting knowledge exchange that will positively impact communities across the Kingdom, ' said, Aiyd A. Alqahtani, Board Chairman of SFMA. Additionally, SFMA members will benefit from access to a wide range of NFPA resources, including the NFPA Fire & Life Safety EcosystemTM, a framework that features extensive research and data on fires, including their economic impact. SFMA members will also have opportunities to participate in NFPA conferences and contribute to the development and review of relevant fire safety codes and standards. About the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) Founded in 1896, NFPA® is a global, self-funded, nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. About The Saudi Facilities Management Association (SFMA) The Saudi Facilities Management Association was established on June 30, 2020 as a non-profit organization under the supervision of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. The association aims to promote the concept of facilities management in Saudi Arabia as a key component in achieving Saudi Vision 2030. Through a comprehensive and integrated strategic plan, the association strives to achieve its objectives by building effective and sustainable partnerships across government, private, and non-profit sectors. The association focuses on developing national expertise in all aspects of facilities management while providing high-quality services to support and advance this vital sector.
Trade Arabia
17 hours ago
- Business
- Trade Arabia
National Fire Protection Association to upskill Saudi FM workforce
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has signed an agreement with the Saudi Facility Management Association (SFMA), a key organisation dedicated to advancing vocational training for facility managers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Formalised in Riyadh, the MoU sets the stage for a strategic collaboration focused on enhancing fire safety standards across the kingdom. As part of this strategic collaboration, NFPA and SFMA will work together to share knowledge, best practices, and research insights to strengthen fire and life safety awareness across Saudi Arabia. The partnership includes plans to co-host conferences, develop certification programs, and launch training initiatives focused on raising safety standards, said a statement from NFPA. By empowering facilities management professionals with the latest tools and expertise, the collaboration aims to drive meaningful improvements in fire and life safety across the kingdom, it stated. The MoU was signed by Olga Caledonia, director for International Business Development at NFPA, and Aiyd A. Alqahtani, board chairman at SFMA. "Saudi Arabia is undergoing rapid development across sectors, from housing to hospitality, and from smart cities to iconic mega-projects, placing it firmly among the world's fastest-growing economies," said Olga Caledonia, the director of International Business Development at NFPA, after signing the deal with Aiyd A. Alqahtani, board chairman at SFMA. "With this scale and speed of growth, comes a heightened need for robust fire and life safety measures to ensure that progress is not compromised by preventable risks," he stated. "Through our partnership with SFMA, we are proud to support this national momentum by bringing NFPA's nearly 130 years of expertise and a portfolio of more than 300 globally recognized codes and standards to assist in preventing loss," he added. Alqahtani said: "At SFMA, our mission is to elevate the professional capabilities of facilities managers throughout Saudi Arabia, in alignment with Vision 2030's goals of building safer, healthier, and more dynamic communities." "This collaboration with NFPA will amplify our efforts by providing access to international best practices in fire and life safety, enriching training programs, and promoting knowledge exchange that will positively impact communities across the kingdom," he added.
Zawya
20 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
NFPA signs MoU with Saudi Facility Management Association
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Facility Management Association (SFMA), a key organization dedicated to advancing vocational training for facility managers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Formalized in Riyadh, the MoU sets the stage for a strategic collaboration focused on enhancing fire safety standards across the Kingdom. The MoU was signed by Olga Caledonia, director for International Business Development at NFPA, and Aiyd A. Alqahtani, board chairman at SFMA. As part of this strategic collaboration, NFPA and SFMA will work together to share knowledge, best practices, and research insights to strengthen fire and life safety awareness across Saudi Arabia. The partnership includes plans to co-host conferences, develop certification programs, and launch training initiatives focused on raising safety standards. By empowering facilities management professionals with the latest tools and expertise, the collaboration aims to drive meaningful improvements in fire and life safety across the Kingdom. 'Saudi Arabia is undergoing rapid development across sectors, from housing to hospitality, and from smart cities to iconic mega-projects, placing it firmly among the world's fastest-growing economies. With this scale and speed of growth, comes a heightened need for robust fire and life safety measures to ensure that progress is not compromised by preventable risks. Through our partnership with SFMA, we are proud to support this national momentum by bringing NFPA's nearly 130 years of expertise and a portfolio of more than 300 globally recognized codes and standards to assist in preventing loss,' said Olga Caledonia, director of International Business Development at NFPA. ' At SFMA, our mission is to elevate the professional capabilities of facilities managers throughout Saudi Arabia, in alignment with Vision 2030's goals of building safer, healthier, and more dynamic communities. This collaboration with NFPA will amplify our efforts by providing access to international best practices in fire and life safety, enriching training programs, and promoting knowledge exchange that will positively impact communities across the Kingdom, ' said, Aiyd A. Alqahtani, Board Chairman of SFMA. Additionally, SFMA members will benefit from access to a wide range of NFPA resources, including the NFPA Fire & Life Safety EcosystemTM, a framework that features extensive research and data on fires, including their economic impact. SFMA members will also have opportunities to participate in NFPA conferences and contribute to the development and review of relevant fire safety codes and standards. About the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) Founded in 1896, NFPA® is a global, self-funded, nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. For more information, visit All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at About The Saudi Facilities Management Association (SFMA) The Saudi Facilities Management Association was established on June 30, 2020 as a non-profit organization under the supervision of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. The association aims to promote the concept of facilities management in Saudi Arabia as a key component in achieving Saudi Vision 2030. Through a comprehensive and integrated strategic plan, the association strives to achieve its objectives by building effective and sustainable partnerships across government, private, and non-profit sectors. The association focuses on developing national expertise in all aspects of facilities management while providing high-quality services to support and advance this vital sector. Contact: Ronak Thakkar – Associate Director - FleishmanHillard Mail:
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Cheshire Fire warning for eight brands of tumble dryers after 'fire incidents'
CHESHIRE Fire and Rescue Service is asking residents to check their tumble dryers after an urgent warning for eight brands. The National Fire Chiefs Council said the affected appliances are not in line with the Electrical Equipment Safety Regulations. As a result the fire service is asking residents to check their tumble dryers and, if the model number is a match, to contact the manufacturer for a modification. The model number is likely to be on the documentation as well as on the door. Anyone with one of the affected appliances is being advised not to use it and to unplug it if at all possible. The National Fire Chiefs Council said: "Following notification of fire incidents from fire and rescue services, the Office for Product Safety and Standards confirmed the tumble dryers do not meet the Electrical Equipment Safety Regulations. "Owners of the appliances must stop using the tumble dryers and switch off the tumble dryers if they can." Residents are urged to check their tumble dryers after urgent safety warnings were issued for eight major brands. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is advising people to stop using affected models immediately due to fire risk concerns. — Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (@CheshireFire) May 29, 2025 Baumatic 31900533 BBTD H7A1TE-80 31900540 BBTD H7A1TE-80 Candy 31900011 CBTD H7A1TE-80 31900013 CTDB H7A1TBE-80 31900526 BCTD H7A1TBE-80 31900529 BCTD H7A1TE-80 31900537 BCTD H7A1TCEB-80 31900538 BKTD H7A1TCEB-80 Caple TDi4000 TDi4001 Haier 31900541 HDBI H7A2TBEX-80 31900550 HDB4 H7A2TBERX-80 Hoover 31900010 HTDB WH7A1TCE-80 31900012 HBTD WH7A1TCE-80 31900528 BHTD H7A1TCE-80 31900530 BHTD H7A1TCEB-80 31900531 BATD H7A1TCEB-80 31900536 BATD H7A1TCE-80 31900542 BATD H7A1TCER-80 Iberna 31900534 BITD H7A1TE-80 31900539 BITD H7A1TE-80 Lamona LAM8876 LAM8877 LAM8878 LAM8879 Montpellier MIHP 70 MIHP 75 For information go to
