Commercial Kitchen Range Exhaust Hood Installation: The Importance of a Proper Ventilation System

Commercial kitchens are always buzzing with activity. From preparing meals to washing dishes and cleaning up, it’s a place where a lot is going on. One of the most essential assets in a commercial kitchen is its ventilation system, especially the kitchen range exhaust hood. A kitchen range hood is a critical component of the ventilation system, which helps to remove heat, moisture, smoke, and other impurities generated during cooking. In this article, we will discuss the importance of commercial kitchen range exhaust hood installation, the different types of hoods, and what businesses should consider when installing a commercial kitchen range exhaust hood.

Commercial Kitchen Range Hood Installation

Commercial Kitchen Hood Installation: A Bigger Picture

Before diving into kitchen hood installation, let’s understand the bigger picture of commercial kitchen ventilation systems. Commercial kitchens are prone to heat, steam, and smoke, which can accumulate and cause health issues, unpleasant odors, and even damage the building's structure. To avoid these problems, commercial kitchens are required to install an efficient hood exhaust vent system, which employs a combination of fans, hoods, ducts, and filters to remove heat, smoke, and moisture.

An efficient commercial kitchen vent system should comply with established regulations by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which sets guidelines for commercial ventilation systems, including standards for safe commercial hood systems including cooking exhaust hoods, and exhaust fans.

Why is Proper Exhaust Hood Ventilation Important in Commercial Kitchens?

There are many reasons for having an efficient commercial kitchen exhaust hood ventilation system. Some of which are:

1. Safety: The primary reason for having a ventilation system in a commercial kitchen is to exhaust hazardous materials generated during cooking, such as smoke, carbon monoxide, and grease. These materials are known to cause fires and accidents, which can be life-threatening.

2. Cleanliness: An exhaust ventilation system removes smoke, heat and moisture from the kitchen. Proper ventilation helps to reduce bad odors, eliminate grease buildup on surfaces and machinery, reduce the risk of mold growth, and maintain a clean and healthy environment for food preparation.

3. Energy Efficiency: A good ventilation system can help reduce energy consumption in a commercial kitchen. The system can help to regulate the kitchen’s temperature, reduce the load on the air conditioning system thereby reducing cooling costs.

Types of Commercial Range Exhaust Hoods

There are several types of commercial kitchen hoods that businesses can choose from depending on their kitchen layout and the menu served. Here are some commonly used kitchen hoods:

1. Wall-Mounted Hoods: As the name suggests, wall-mounted hood canopies are attached to the wall above the cooking range or stovetop. They are used when the cooking equipment is placed against a wall.

2. Island Hoods: These restaurant hood systems are designed for kitchens where the cooking equipment is situated in the middle of an open space. Island hoods are mounted on the ceiling and hang down above the cooking equipment.

3. Eyebrow Hoods: Eyebrow hoods are smaller than other restaurant exhaust hood ventilation systems and are installed over cooking equipment that has no backsplash. These range exhaust hoods are mounted on the wall and are ideal for small kitchens.

4. Low-Profile Hoods: Low-profile commercial kitchen hood is designed for kitchens with low ceilings including food trailers when a taller hood may is not possible. They have shorter sides than other exhaust hoods and do require stronger exhaust fans to provide proper ventilation.

Important Considerations for Installing the proper Commercial Kitchen Range Exhaust Hood

When considering the installation of a Commercial Kitchen Range Exhaust Hood, businesses should understand the following exhaust ventilation system factors:

1. Kitchen Layout: Business owners should consider the kitchen’s layout, the number of burners, stovetops, and other equipment used for cooking. The hood size will depend on the kitchen's actual cooking area and pertinent mechanical codes.

2. Fan Type: Different types of fans are used in the exhaust system, including belt-driven and direct-driven fans. Belt-driven fans offer quieter operation while direct-drive fans are more energy-efficient.

3. Ductwork: Ductwork refers to the pipes and connectors that run from the hood to the outside of the building. The ductwork should be smooth, leak-free, and have no obstructions to ensure efficient airflow.

4. Fire Suppression System: A fire suppression system is an essential component of a commercial kitchen ventilation system. It’s designed to detect and extinguish fires that arise from cooking equipment. The fire suppression system should be compliant with NFPA standards, and must always have an inspection permit pulled.

5. Filters: Filters are used to trap grease and other impurities to prevent them from entering the ducts and causing blockages. The filters should be cleaned and replaced regularly to ensure proper airflow in the exhaust system.

The Cost of Installing a Commercial Kitchen Hood

The cost of installing a kitchen hood can vary depending on several factors, such as the kitchen’s layout, the type and size of the hood, the fan size, and the ductwork. Moreover, in the last few years, the cost of 18 gauge stainless steel has gone through the roof (with the exhaust fumes).

Typically, the cost of a commercial kitchen hood installation can range from $5,000 to $20,000. A business owner should account for the cost of the ventilation system and its installation, as well as the fire suppression system.

While the cost of installing a commercial kitchen hood may seem high, it’s a necessary investment for any restaurant or foodservice business. A proper exhaust ventilation system not only ensures the safety of the kitchen staff and customers, but it also helps to maintain a clean and healthy environment for food preparation.

Commercial Kitchen Range Exhaust Hood Installation

Restaurant Hood System Info

Commercial Kitchen Range Hood Installation Services

A commercial kitchen ventilation system is incomplete without an efficient commercial kitchen range exhaust hood. It is a crucial component that helps to remove smoke, heat, and moisture from the kitchen, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for food preparation.

Restaurant owners should consider several factors when installing a range exhaust hood to ensure its efficacy, such as the kitchen’s layout, the fan type, ductwork, fire suppression systems, and filters. The cost of range hood installation may seem high, but it’s a necessary investment for any restaurant or food service business to ensure the safety of the kitchen staff and customers and maintain a healthy environment.

Lastly, please understand that the fire marshal will uphold the international mechanical code as well as the more strict variances of the local code, and always has the final word. Keeping this in mind, it is imperative that you partner with a licensed, certified, and most of all experienced mechanical contractor who knows all of the applicable codes, and how to implement them thereby providing your business the best Commercial Range Exhaust Hood Ventilation System at the best possible price while keeping the fire marshal happy. VA Commercial Repair Solutions is the most experienced Mechanical Contractor in Virginia, and is well known by virtually all of the fire marshals and Authorities Having Jurisdiction. Furthermore, when CaptiveAire or Ventilation Direct, the 2 largest Commercial Hood Fabricators in the United States, encounter a problem with an installation anywhere in Virginia, they immediately call VA Commercial Repair Solutions to fix and alleviate the problem thereby making all of the parties involved happy.

Partner with a proven knowledgeable and experienced Mechanical Contractor, which is who we are.

Choose VA Commercial Repair Solutions and you can rest assured that the job will be completed on time, and will meet or exceed all applicable mechanical codes.