Residential range in a commercial space

What the Building Codes require when installing a residential range in a commercial space.

Cooking causes over 50% of residential fires and over 29% of non-residential fires. It is important to understand what is needed when installing a residential-rated range in a commercial space. This type of application differs from traditional commercial kitchen ventilation systems. Those are governed by a different set of codes and requirements. Typically a residential range is installed in a commercial space where it is not used for production cooking like a restaurant. Think of a Day Care Center, College Dorm, or Senior Housing. All have a need for limited use cooking but don’t generate any sort of volume that would require a full-fledge commercial kitchen ventilation system.

The U.L. 300A standard is an “Outline of Investigation for Extinguishing System Units for ResidentialRange Top Cooking Surfaces.” It is intended to protect against fires occurring on residential range cooking surfaces. Fire suppression for RESIDENTIAL grade ranges used in commercial occupancies are being used in an increased frequency and 300A is a more economical solution than a Type One Hood.

300A Testing Requirements

  • Exhaust Hood set at the Minimum Vertical Separation as Prescribed by the Manufacturer
  • Stove Coverage at the Maximum as Prescribed by the Manufacture
  • Space Temperature at 80F
  • No Draft
  • Four Burners
  • No Fan
  • Use of a Cooking Pan (test vessel)
  • Ignition from Peanut and Vegetable Oil

International Fire Code

The language from the International Fire Code, 2015 verbiage states the following:

  • Section 904.13
  • I-2 Occupancy
  • Example verbiage from “904.13.11 Automatic Extinguishing System:
    • The automatic fire-extinguishing system shall be of a type recognized for the protection of domestic cooking equipment. Pre-engineered automatic fire-extinguishing systems shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL300A and installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
    • Manual actuation of the fire-extinguishing system shall be provided in accordance with Section 904.12.1
    • Interconnection of the fuel and electric power supply shall be in accordance with Section 904.12.2”

International Mechanical Code

The International Mechanical Code 2018 states the following:

  • Domestic Cooking in Institutional Occupancies
    • Section 904.13: Requires an automatic fire-extinguishing system to protect domestic cooking appliances in care facilities.

In addition to the model codes, the 2018 International Building Code, Chapter 407.2.6 describes the limited use of residential ranges in Nursing Homes. The requirements follow IMC Section 505 and require a hood and automatic fire suppression system with fuel shut-off capability.

Dormitory cooking falls in the same Chapter, 420.10, and follows very closely to the requirements stated in Section 407.

commercial exhaust hood in residential

There are fully integrated vent hoods (ducted or recirculated) available on the market that meet all the requirements of the model codes and are listed for the application.

Should your application require this type of system, the experts that manufacture these types of systems can guide you on the proper selection and any accessories needed to meet the local requirements.


Cfm and static pressure … what does it all mean? – https://kitchenventilation.com/2020/04/16/cfm-and-static-pressure/


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