Industrial Kitchen Ventilation Fans

Industrial kitchen ventilation fans are commercial grade ventilation devices that are designed for use in restaurants, hospitals, shopping centers, casinos, hotels, convention centers and office buildings. Kitchen ventilation fans are an integral part of the design of the commercial kitchen and makeup air applications. This heavy-duty ventilation fan collects and removes foul odors and maintains the quality of indoor air. They also expel moisture and maintain the healthy level of humidity in the work place.

Choosing the Right Industrial Kitchen Ventilation Fan

Business owners and managers may have to consider an upgrade or change in their kitchen ventilation system if they have industrial kitchen ventilation fans that don’t meet the following performance standards:

Minimum or acceptable sound rating
Required CFM rating
Energy efficiency
Safety and health standards

As a general rule, you have to choose the most energy efficient and quietest industrial kitchen ventilation fans that are appropriate for your workplace. You can compare the ratings of several industrial exhaust fans on operating sound level and energy efficiency and find one that matches your requirements. It would be best if you invest on an exhaust fan that has permanent lubrication and replaceable parts.

Operating Sound Level

You have to choose industrial fans that are labeled “quiet” or “low noise.” This means that you have to check the db or decibel rating before you make your final choice. Industrial or commercial grade fans that are not rated are usually noisy and of poor quality. In most cases, these inferior or low-grade industrial exhaust fans are not energy-efficient and consume more electricity. Older exhaust fans that are noisy are potential fire hazards. You may dampen the noise created by your industrial kitchen ventilaiton fans by using foam tape so that the housing of the exhaust fan is insulated from the drywall and wood joists or installing anti-vibration pads.

Airflows and Power Requirements of Industrial Exhaust Fans

The concern for energy efficiency goes beyond the selection of an energy efficient industrial kitchen ventilation fans. You have to remember that ducting can severely affect the performance of the entire exhaust system. This means that your kitchen ventilation fan will not be able to deliver an optimum performance when you have ducting that is droopy, undersized or un-insulated. In addition to these, the rated airflow of your ventilation fans can be reduced to half or lower than half when you have dirty or ineffective dampers for back draft.

Cleaning of the Kitchen Ventilation System

Kitchen ventilation fans generate static electricity and this is the main reason why there is continual buildup of dirt in the ventilation fan and its housing. The accumulation of dirt is conducive to the growth of molds, aside from being a potential health hazard, and such condition can restrict the flow of air through the duct system. Thus, it is extremely important that the ventilation fan, the housing, exterior flaps and back draft dampers are cleaned and checked regularly.

Back Draft Dampers, Hoods and Grills

Even when the industrial kitchen ventilation fans are not operating, the wind loads and the effects of stack can draw in air from the external environment or expel indoor air through the duct system. The louvers or exteriors must be regularly inspected and cleaned to ensure these are not stuck or blocked and that there is unimpeded air exchange and prevent infiltration of unwanted air. Most kitchen ventilation systems feature a single flap ventilation hood, a plastic exhaust grill or a 3-tier louver aluminum grill.