Essential Guide to Installing Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Hoods

Commercial kitchen hoods are vital for ensuring a safe and healthy environment in any commercial kitchen. They remove grease, smoke, and other harmful fumes, preventing them from accumulating on surfaces and posing fire hazards. With various types of kitchen hoods available, it can be challenging to determine which one suits your needs best.

This guide will help you choose and install the appropriate commercial kitchen hood system for your business. We’ll cover the types of hoods available, factors to consider when selecting a system, and the installation process.

By the end of this guide, you’ll have the knowledge to confidently choose and install the right kitchen hood for your needs.

What is a Commercial Kitchen Hood System?

A commercial kitchen hood system, also known as an exhaust hood or range hood, is essential for removing heat, smoke, grease, and odors produced during cooking. This helps maintain a comfortable working environment for staff, ensures compliance with health and safety regulations, and prevents harmful pollutants from accumulating in the kitchen.

Types of Commercial Kitchen Hoods

  1. Type I Hood (Grease Hood):

    • Designed to extract grease-laden air from cooking equipment like grills, fryers, and ranges.
    • Equipped with grease filters and often a fire suppression system, essential for high-grease cooking processes.
  2. Type II Hood (Heat and Condensation Hood):

    • Used for equipment that generates heat and steam, such as ovens, steamers, and dishwashers.
    • Captures heat, steam, and moisture, focusing less on grease extraction.
  3. Type I/II Combo Hood:

    • Combines features of both Type I and Type II hoods.
    • Suitable for kitchens with diverse cooking equipment, providing comprehensive ventilation.
  4. Ventless Hood System:

    • Ideal for kitchens where traditional ductwork isn’t feasible.
    • Uses advanced filtration technologies to clean and recirculate air within the kitchen.
  5. Concession Hood:

    • Designed for temporary or mobile food services like food trucks and concession stands.
    • Compact and portable, tailored to handle specific cooking equipment in limited spaces.
  6. Island Hood:

    • Suspended from the ceiling over cooking islands, not attached to walls.
    • Effective for ventilating cooking stations located away from walls, popular in open kitchen layouts.
  7. Low Ceiling Hood:

    • Designed for kitchens with low ceilings, featuring a compact design.
    • Provides efficient ventilation within limited vertical space.
  8. Wall Canopy Hood:

    • Mounted on the wall, used where cooking equipment is against a wall.
    • Efficiently captures and removes airborne contaminants from wall-positioned equipment.
  9. Backshelf Hood:

    • Installed directly behind cooking equipment with a backsplash for additional protection.
    • Offers a compact solution for kitchens with limited space, providing essential ventilation.
  10. Exhaust-only Hood:

    • Expels air to the exterior without a make-up air system.
    • Suitable for certain kitchen configurations where make-up air supply isn’t required.

Commercial Kitchen Hood Installation?

Commercial kitchen hood installation involves setting up a complete ventilation system, including the hood, filters, ductwork, exhaust fan, make-up air system, fire suppression system, and controls.

Process of Commercial Kitchen Hood Installation

  1. Site Assessment:

    • Conduct a thorough assessment of the kitchen space, measuring the area, evaluating the layout, and identifying the best location for the hood.
  2. Design and Planning:

    • Create a detailed design plan based on the site assessment, specifying the hood size and type, ductwork layout, fan capacity, and component placement.
  3. Hood Installation:

    • Mount the hood above the cooking equipment to capture airborne contaminants.
  4. Filter Installation:

    • Install filters inside the hood to trap grease and other particles, ensuring regular cleaning or replacement.
  5. Ductwork Installation:

    • Set up ductwork to carry captured air from the hood to the exterior, ensuring proper design and installation for effective ventilation.
  6. Exhaust Fan Installation:

    • Install the exhaust fan to create airflow through the system, potentially locating it within the hood or along the ductwork.
  7. Make-up Air System Installation:

    • Install a system to supply fresh outdoor air, balancing air pressure in the kitchen.
  8. Fire Suppression System Installation:

    • Integrate a fire suppression system, required in many jurisdictions, for additional safety.
  9. Controls and Monitoring Installation:

    • Set up switches, buttons, and sensors for system operation and performance monitoring.
  10. Testing and Balancing:

    • Test the system to ensure correct operation, adjusting airflow, fan speed, and other settings as needed.
  11. Compliance and Certification:

    • Ensure the installation meets local building and fire codes, obtaining necessary certifications.

Safety and Professional Installation

To ensure the system is designed, installed, and tested properly, it’s crucial to hire a professional HVAC contractor or specialized kitchen hood installation company. This guarantees compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.

A commercial kitchen hood installation is crucial for maintaining a safe and healthy environment in any commercial kitchen. Selecting the right hood and having it installed by a qualified professional ensures that your kitchen can effectively remove grease, smoke, and other harmful fumes, preventing them from settling on surfaces and creating fire hazards.

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Aarco Engineering Projects Pvt. Ltd. has been in business since more than 15 years and during this time, we have provided quality products and services to several industries and successfully completed more than 15000 installations.

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