Six Mistakes To Avoid When Choosing A Hood System For A Restaurant Kitchen
Choosing a kitchen hood system is one of the most important decisions that need to be made regarding the layout of a commercial kitchen. If you're looking for the right hood system for your commercial kitchen, there are a few mistakes you need to avoid. The following are six mistakes to avoid when choosing a hood system for a restaurant kitchen.
Failing to invest in a fire suppression system that's up to code
Having a fire suppression system built into your kitchen hood isn't only important for keeping your kitchen safe. It's also important for complying with building codes. Building codes generally require that commercial kitchens feature an effective fire suppression system to ensure safety. It's important to look into building code details and make sure your kitchen hood system design will comply with them.
Choosing an exhaust hood fan that's not powerful enough
You need to have a hood fan included in your design that's powerful enough to clear any steam and odors out of the air quickly. The larger the volume of your kitchen is, the more powerful you will need your hood fan to be.
Being unaware of the distinction between type 1 and type 2 hoods
Type 1 and type 2 are important distinctions to understand when it comes to kitchen hoods. Type 1 is the most highly equipped type. Type 1 hoods are designed to be liquid-tight. They are necessary if you will be cooking using any method that produces grease and smoke. You need a type 1 hood if you will be broiling, grilling, or frying foods in your kitchen. If you will only be cooking by steaming or baking in your kitchen, a type 2 kitchen hood should be adequate for your needs.
Being unaware of the various hood designs available
There are also a few types of hood designs to familiarize yourself with. The three main types of hood design are proximity, wall-mounted canopy, and island canopy hoods. Familiarize yourself with these design types to determine the best hood design for your needs.
Not considering noise problems
You need to be aware of the amount of noise your kitchen hood system is going to produce. While it's important to have an exhaust fan that is powerful enough to clear your kitchen air, you don't want to choose a fan that is so powerful that no one in your kitchen can hear anything when it's on.
Not looking into air fan requirements
Depending on the municipality in which your restaurant establishment is located, you may be required to have an air fan included in your kitchen hood. Be sure to look into this particular requirement for commercial kitchens when selecting your kitchen hood system.
Reach out to a company like Life Safety Inspections to discuss your kitchen hood system needs.
