Kitchen Ventilation

Ventilation is the single most important factor in the design, construction and operation of commercial kitchens. Without adequate ventilation and an ample supply of clean makeup air, no kitchen will operate efficiently. There are particular objectives which the ventilation has to achieve. The objectives include the following:

  • The ventilation through the kitchen has to introduce sufficient clean, cool air and remove excess hot air for the occupants to breathe adequately and remain comfortable.
  • The ventilation has to provide sufficient air for complete combustion at burning appliances, otherwise chronic debilitating carbon monoxide poisoning could occur.
  • The ventilation has to dilute and remove products of combustion from gas and oil fired appliances.
  • The ventilation has to dilute and remove odors, vapors and steam from the cooking process.
  • Local ventilation has to protect against particular hazards to health arising from some cooking fumes, such as those involving direct application of heat to the food.
  • The local ventilation has to be capable of being kept clean from fat residues to avoid loss of efficiency and fire risks.
  • The system has to be quiet and vibration free.
Kitchen Ventilation

Ventilation Application

Exhaust FLow Rates by Cooking Equipment Category for Unlisted and Listed Type

Minimum Exhaust Flow Rate, L/s per linear metre food
Type of Hood Light Duty Medium Duty Heavy Duty Extra Heavy Duty
Wall-mounted canopy, unlisted
listed
310
230 to 310
465
310 to 465
620
310 to 520
850
540+
Single-island, unlisted
listed
620
390 to 465
775
465 to 620
930
465 to 930
1085
850+
Double-island (per side), unlisted
listed
390
230 to 310
465
310 to 465
620
390 to 620
885
775+
Eyebrow, unlisted
listed
390
230 to 390
390
230 to 390
Not allowed
-
Not allowed
-
Back shelf/proximity/pass-over, unlisted
listed
465
155 to 310
465
310 to 465
620
465 to 620
Not allowed
Not recommened
Design Effect

Good v/s Poor

Schlieren Image Shows Effective Plume Capture with Makeup Air Supplied through 40mm Wide Perforated Perimeter Supply

Schlieren Image Showing Effective Plume Being Effectively Captured when Makeup AIr is Supplied at Low Velocity From Displacement Diffusers

Schlieren Image Showing Thermal Plume Being Pulled Outside Hood by Air Curtain

Schlieren Image Showing Thermal Plume Being Pulled Outside Hood by Front Face