Commercial Kitchen Ventilation in Mixed-Use Developments
What are the risks when foodservice facilities and residential units occupy the same property in mixed-use developments? The risk associated with mixed-use developments cannot be understated. The complexities from design to execution and delivery of such a project have many inherent risks that if not handled successfully, can create properties that can be difficult to […]
I’ve Seen Ventilated Ceilings for Kitchens in Europe. Can they be used in North America?
In a word yes, Ventilated Ceilings can be installed in North America, assuming it is listed for that purpose. Let’s talk about what a Ventilated Ceiling is. It is an alternative to the traditional canopy and island hoods seen in most installations in North America. Effectively, the Ventilated Ceiling System is the exhaust and supply […]
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 […]
What impact does a balanced building have on our lives?
We love balance in our lives. Work-life balance, a balanced diet, a balanced budget, even a balanced building. Wait a minute? A balanced building? What impact does a balanced building have on our lives? A building that is not balanced contributes to uncomfortable spaces, elevated energy costs, odor issues, insect infestations and finally moldy buildings. […]
How heat sources differ in commercial kitchens than other commercial spaces
Mechanical engineers calculate cooling and heating loads for commercial spaces in order to size the ventilation systems. The type of space plays a key role in determining necessary ventilation requirements. Commercial kitchens are unique in they operate year round and cooling is almost always required, even during the colder winter months. This is due to […]
Why is a heat load based design important for kitchen hoods?
Establishing exhaust volumes for hoods had been an inexact science, primarily relying on U.L. values to establish exhaust rates. U.L. however clearly states that the minimum exhaust rates established during testing should not be used for design purposes since they were achieved in a laboratory environment. A greater exhaust might be required to provide proper […]
How do replacement air ceiling registers affect the hood?
The placement and location of ceiling registers (diffusers) for the introduction of replacement air can have a direct impact on the proper operation of the exhaust hood. Diffusers that have been designed for commercial spaces, such as “four way diffusers” were developed to have a high induction capability. That means they discharge at a relatively […]
Is cooking equipment makes and models important for preliminary engineering?
Commercial cooking equipment makes and models are important for preliminary engineering Outdated methods of ventilation design categorized commercial cooking equipment (appliances) into different classes; light, medium, heavy-duty and extra heavy duty (solid fuel). The average exhaust rates were established for each category based on rules of thumb, cfm per foot of hood. With the advent […]