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Kitchen ventilation is the branch ofventilation specialising in the treatment of air from kitchens.[1] It addresses the problems ofgrease,smoke andodours not found in most other ventilation systems.
Kitchen ventilation equipment includes anextractor hood or canopy, and afiltering system. The system's fan may be located in the kitchen or in its ducts
Commercial kitchen ventilation design has evolved significantly since the mid-20th century due to stricter fire codes and workplace safety regulations. The introduction of stainless steel canopies and electrostatic precipitators marked key advancements in reducing airborne contaminants.
An adequate kitchen ventilation system should:
The design of an effective kitchen ventilation system is determined by:
Hot air from cooking is usually vented externally through a chimney system. When this is not possible,recirculating cooker hoods are used that clean the air and direct it back into the kitchen.
Kitchen ventilation guidelines are typically based on airflow capacity, measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). For residential range hoods, the Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) recommends a rate of 100 CFM per linear foot of cooktop width when mounted against a wall, and 150 CFM per linear foot for island installations. In absolute terms, a 30‑inch (2.5 ft) wall-mounted hood should deliver 250–300 CFM, with island hoods requiring approximately 375 CFM for equivalent coverage.[3]
Commercial kitchens require much higher airflow. Broan‑NuTone recommends 100 CFM per 10,000 BTU of stove output, meaning a 50,000 BTU range would need around 500 CFM.[4]
ASHRAE Standard 62.2 also specifies a minimum of 100 CFM** for vent-capture range hoods in residential settings and calls for **5 air changes per hour (ACH) if alternative exhaust methods are used.[5]
Hood capture effectiveness improves with larger hoods and proper positioning—extending 3 inches beyond cooktop edges and mounting at the recommended height (20–30 inches above) ensures effective smoke and grease removal.[6]
The most common types of greasefilters used in professional kitchens are: