10D — Ventilation not provided or inadequate
Ventilation carries away heat, grease-laden vapor, and combustion gases; when it's weak, grease coats surfaces and fumes build up. The rule requires adequate mechanical or natural ventilation. It's a General violation (2-5 points). The inspector judges it by what they can see and smell — a smoky, steamy kitchen or grease dripping from the hood is the tell. (A harmful-gas reading like carbon monoxide is the far more serious 05B.)
What the inspector looks for
Stand under the exhaust hood during cooking and watch the smoke and steam — it must be pulled straight up and out, not drifting back into the kitchen. Check that the grease filters are in place and not dripping. A kitchen that fills with smoke or steam, or a missing/clogged filter, is the violation.
Points & grade impact
Cited at 2 points — 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 across condition I-IV. NYC adds every cited violation’s points into one inspection score: 0–13 = A, 14–27 = B, 28+ = C.
How to fix it
If the exhaust hood is off or clogged, clear the grease filters and restore the fan. If the hood runs but the kitchen still fills with smoke or steam, call for service — an inspector cites what they can see or smell.
How to prevent it
Clean hood grease filters every week on a high-volume line (monthly at the very least) and keep a written cleaning log. Have the hood balanced annually so the make-up air coming in matches the exhaust draw.
- ✓Clean the hood grease filters weekly on a busy line (monthly at the very least) and keep a written cleaning log.
- ✓Have the hood and exhaust system balanced annually so make-up air matches the exhaust draw.
- ✓If the kitchen fills with smoke or steam while equipment runs, stop and call for service — don't cook through it.
- ✓Keep make-up air intakes clear so the hood can actually pull air, and don't prop open doors to compensate.
Reference: Health Code §81.19(c)
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