How to Resolve the Common Issues of Kitchen Ducts?
Not every kitchen exhaust system meets industry standards. Unfortunately, many have flaws that will cause significant problems in the future. Restaurant owners often face kitchen duct issues that create fire hazards, reduced ventilation, and cause poor indoor air quality.
Make sure your kitchen exhaust ducts are free of problems to keep your facility, employees, and customers safe. Look for these seven common issues and fix them if you can:
- Leaks
- Blockages
- Condensation
- Corrosion
- Poor access
- Poor construction
- Poor ventilation
If you have problems with your exhaust system, it can cost you a lot of money in repairs and lost income when your kitchen cannot operate. That's why it's essential to keep an eye on your exhaust systems and get regular inspections. If you neglect your exhaust, you could be in for some expensive surprises down the road.
1. Leaks Leaking kitchen exhaust ducts are a common problem. The leaks can be small and hard to spot, or they may be large and cause significant damage. Look for leaks around joints, seams, and equipment connections. If you see any leaks, repair them immediately.
2. Blockages If one of your kitchen exhaust systems is not working correctly, it could be because of a blockage. Blockages can happen anywhere in the system, from the hood to the fan to the duct outlet. Causes of blockage can vary depending on the type of exhaust system. Grease build-up in ducts connected to Type I hoods and stuck or broken dampers in ducts connected to Type II hoods can result in reduced air flow. If you think there might be a blockage, have your system checked by a professional.
3. Condensation If you have condensation dripping from your kitchen ducts, your systems are not removing the excess moisture from the kitchen air and/or cold air is flowing back into your ducts when the fans are not operating, cooling the duct surface. Condensation can also lead to mold and mildew growth, which can cause serious health problems. To fix this, you need to increase the kitchen ventilation to reduce the humidity and repair any damaged dampers.
4. Corrosion Corrosion is a common problem in carbon steel commercial grease ducts. The exterior corrosion can weaken the ductwork over time and cause the joints or seems to leak. To prevent corrosion related issues, make sure the ductwork is fabricated from materials resistant to corrosion, such as stainless steel.
5. Poor Access If your commercial kitchen exhaust ducts are difficult to access, they can be hard to clean and maintain. Ensure there is easy access to your access panels or doors so the cleaners and repair people get to the parts that need addressing quickly.
6. Poor Construction Poor construction and installation of the kitchen exhaust systems can lead to leaks, blockages, corrosion, and many of the issues above. To help prevent these, make sure a qualified professional correctly installs the system.
Your ducts should also pass compliance. Ductwork must fulfill the standards requirements of the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC), International Mechanical, NFPA 96, as well as others.
7. Poor Ventilation If the kitchen exhaust system has inadequate ventilation, it can cause problems with the air quality in your kitchen. Ensure there's regular checking of the system's ventilation to remove all the smoke, fumes, and grease from the air.
Resolve Your Duct Issues With DuraSystems
Many restaurant owners are unaware of the dangers of flawed kitchen exhaust ducts. It is vital to be proactive in ensuring your kitchen exhaust duct system is up to standards.
DuraSystems is an industry leader in providing safe and effective kitchen exhaust systems. We can help you protect your business, employees, and customers from the potentially devastating effects of a faulty exhaust system. Contact us today for more information.
