NA7.11 Commercial Kitchen Exhaust System Acceptance Tests
NA7.11.1 Kitchen Exhaust Systems with Type I Hood Systems

The following acceptance tests apply to commercial kitchen exhaust systems with Type I exhaust hoods. All Type I exhaust hoods used in commercial kitchens shall be tested.

NA7.11.1.1 Construction Inspection

Step 1: Verify exhaust and replacement air systems are installed, power is installed and control systems such as demand control ventilation are calibrated.

Step 2: For kitchen/dining facilities having total Type 1 and Type II kitchen hood exhaust airflow rates greater than 5,000 cfm, calculate the maximum allowable exhaust rate for each Type 1 hood as specified by Table 140.9-A.

NA7.11.1.2 Functional Testing at Full Load Conditions

The following acceptance test applies to systems with and without demand control ventilation exhaust systems. These tests shall be conducted at full load conditions.

Step 1: Operate all sources of outdoor air providing replacement air for the hoods.

Step 2: Operate all sources of recirculated air providing conditioning for the space in which the hoods are located.

Step 3: Operate all appliances under the hoods at operating temperatures.

Step 4: Verify that the thermal plume and smoke is completely captured and contained within each hood at full load conditions by observing smoke or steam produced by actual cooking operation and/or by visually seeding the thermal plume using devices such as smoke candles or smoke puffers. Smoke bombs shall not be used (note: smoke bombs typically create a large volume of effluent from a point source and do not necessarily confirm whether the cooking effluent is being captured). For some appliances (e.g., broilers, griddles, fryers), actual cooking at the normal production rate is a reliable method of generating smoke). Other appliances that typically generate hot moist air without smoke (e.g., ovens, steamers) need seeding of the thermal plume with artificial smoke to verify capture and containment.

Step 5: Verify that space pressurization is appropriate (e.g. kitchen is slightly negative relative to adjacent spaces and all doors open/close properly).

Step 6: Verify that each Type 1 hood has an exhaust rate that is below the maximum allowed.

Step 7: Make adjustments as necessary until full capture and containment and adequate space pressurization are achieved and maximum allowable exhaust rates are not exceeded. Adjustments may include:

  1. Adjust exhaust hood airflow rates.
  2. Add hood side panels.
  3. Add rear seal (back plate).
  4. Increase hood overhang by pushing equipment back.
  5. Relocate supply outlets to improve the capture and containment performance.

Step 8: Measure and record final exhaust airflow rate per Type 1 hood.

NA7.11.1.3 Functional Testing for Exhaust Systems with Demand Control Ventilation

The following additional acceptance test shall be performed on all exhaust hoods with demand control ventilation exhaust systems.

Step 1: Turn off all kitchen hoods, makeup air and transfer systems.

Step 2: Turn on one of the appliances on the line and bring to operating temperature. Confirm that:

  1. a. DCV system automatically switches from off to the minimum flow setpoint.
  2. b. The minimum flow setpoint does not exceed the larger of:
    1. 50% of the design flow, or
    2. The ventilation rate required as specified by Section 120.1.
  3. c. The makeup air and transfer air system flow rates modulate as appropriate to match the exhaust rate.
  4. d. Appropriate space pressurization is maintained.

Step 3: Press the timed override button. Confirm that system ramps to full speed and back to minimum speed after override times out.

Step 4: Operate all appliances at typical conditions. Apply sample cooking products and/or utilize smoke puffers as appropriate to simulate full load conditions. Confirm that:

  1. e. DCV system automatically ramps to full speed.
  2. f. Hood maintains full capture and containment during ramping to and at full-speed.
  3. g. Appropriate space pressurization is maintained.

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