Demand Control Ventilation Systems for Commercial Kitchens, how do they differ, how are they the same?
The number and type of Demand Control Ventilation (DCV) systems for commercial kitchens have grown significantly in recent years. This can be attributed to several factors, principally the adherence to ASHRAE 90.1 ventilation standard. This is the standard that affects design for commercial kitchens, and it states that on exhaust systems greater than 5000 cfm, […]
How not to ruin a good thing, Make-up Air 101
Hey, it’s your birthday! Go ahead and inhale those candles out! What? You don’t suck the flame off the candle? Have you ever tried? Yes, it’s a silly anecdote and a very effective one (thanks, Dr. Livchak!). As most of us know, we blow out our candles. The physics works well and accomplishes the job […]
Why is it important to know who the ME (Mechanical Engineer) on the project is?
As commercial kitchen ventilation systems become more technically complex to satisfy increasingly strict code requirements and environmental standards, coordinating the overall design with the mechanical engineer becomes critical. There was a time when the foodservice consultant whose scope is traditionally below the kitchen ceiling and the mechanical engineer whose interest is above the ceiling worked […]
Love Thy Neighbor: Pollution Control for Commercial Kitchens
If you are involved with the design or building of food service properties, then you have probably heard of Pollution Control Systems or Units, or PCU’s for short. A PCU is a system of special filters to help clean grease, smoke and odors from the exhaust air stream of commercial kitchens and restaurants. Do you […]