Cooker Hood & Extraction Systems

Proper ventilation systems in commercial kitchens are of paramount importance. These ventilation systems, commonly referred to as hoods, are mandated by law and are used to remove fumes, gasses, heat and any airborne grease that is present.

All extraction systems - no matter how efficient – inevitably build up grease and other flammable substances in the hood and ductwork which can become significant fire hazards. The devastating effects of any subsequent fire on a business are catastrophic

Many kitchens experience grease fires that cause thousand of pounds of damage. Initially, when hoods were required by law, they only served the purpose of capturing gases and exhausting them outside. Now, hoods have been modified to take air from the outside and circulate it through the system, keeping the air cleaner and using less energy to operate.

Ventilation systems are categorised by the amount of heat that will be present in the cooking area.

• Exhaust canopy hoods are most effective when using equipment that gives off low heat. These are not commonly seen in commercial kitchens now.
• Compensating hoods are excellent when using low to medium heat. These hoods use a circulatory ventilation system, taking air from the outside and carrying out the heat and fumes from the inside.
• Compensating canopy breach systems are now the choice for many new commercial kitchens as this is currently the most effective system to remove heat from areas using medium and high heat equipment.

It is important to be aware that not all hoods function in the same way. Some are more effective than others, and it will depend on the certain conditions of the kitchens and the amount of heat and humidity that will be present. Not unnaturally, it will take more exhaust air velocity to manage equipment that produces a lot of grease and high heat levels.

Cleaning Your Restaurant Kitchen Hood to Avoid Fire Hazards

The most common cause for kitchen hoods fire is when the build up of grease on the surface of the hood and within the filters. If filters are clogged with grease, they will not function properly. ACS work in partnership with you to install a programme ensuring the filters are clean and replaced as needed. Whilst clean filters are an important part of the ventilation functionality, so is keeping the hood surfaces and traps clean. If grease builds in these areas and a fire starts, the fire will quickly spread over any area that has grease on it.

In addition to the immediate Hood area, it is also essential the ducting is cleaned from the build up of grease. This frequently requires inspection with specialised equipment. ACS use fibre optic cameras to ensure proper investigation

ACS provide a scheduled maintenance program to ensure that the hood and filters are cleaned on a regular basis.

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