A grease duct is a duct that vents grease-laden flammable vapors from commercial cooking equipment such as stoves, deep fryers, and woks to the outside of a building or mobile food preparation trailer. Grease ducts are part of the building's passive fire protection system. The cleaning schedule is typically dictated by fire code or related safety regulations.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/59/Glen_spray.jpg/220px-Glen_spray.jpg)
Fire hazard
editVapors are created when grease is heated to and beyond its vaporization point. As the vapors cool, the grease condenses and settles on colder surfaces. Grease is a flammable hydrocarbon. A fire-resistance rating is required for the construction around the duct.[citation needed]
Design
editIn North America, grease ducts must be in compliance with NFPA 96 as well as the local building codes and fire codes. [citation needed]
A proprietary duct system that has its own inherent fire-resistance rating can be used, such as a metallic duct, either field fabricated or UL certified factory-built designs. Factory-built fire rated designs are tested to UL 1978 and UL 2221.[citation needed]
Maintenance and cleaning
editPeriodic cleaning is required. Compliance is proven through certificates issued by the cleaning and maintenance contractors. Purpose-designed fire suppression systems inside the hoods must also be routinely maintained.[1][better source needed]
Hazards associated with improperly maintained hoods include, but are not limited to, poor ventilation, excess heat and smoke, and the potential risk of fires.[2][3][better source needed]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Hood Repair & Clean". Sunday, 2 May 2021
- ^ "Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning - Carolina Filters, Inc". www.carolinafilters.com. Archived from the original on 2017-07-21. Retrieved 2016-01-08.
- ^ "Duct Cleaning".
External links
edit- UL treatise on wrapping systems
- NFPA 96: Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations Archived 2013-05-02 at the Wayback Machine
- ASTM E2336 Standard Test Methods for Fire Resistive Grease Duct Enclosure Systems
- ISO 6944-1:2008 Fire containment -- Elements of building construction -- Part 1: Ventilation ducts