Legal framework
What the law expects from you
Maintaining professional hoods is not an AFSCA inspection: it is first and foremost an obligation towards your fire insurer.
Fire insurance
The law of 4 April 2014 on insurance frames the obligations of the policyholder: to declare the risk correctly, to take reasonable measures to prevent a claim, and to report it within the deadlines.
HoReCa fire policies generally contain a clause for lack of maintenance of the cooking and extraction installations. If the claim is linked to this failing, the insurer can reduce or refuse compensation.
The proof
If the insurer invokes a lack of maintenance, the discussion comes down to a simple question: can you show that the installation was maintained by a professional? A dated, numbered and traceable certificate answers that question.
The frequency
It depends on your activity and your policy. A greasy kitchen justifies at least two visits per year. Read the terms of your insurance contract or ask your broker for them: it is your policy that sets the pace to follow.
The neighbours
A kitchen fire can spread to neighbouring businesses and homes. Your civil liability may then be engaged for the damage caused to third parties.
This page summarises general principles. It replaces neither reading your insurance policy, nor the advice of your broker or a lawyer.