FAQ & Glossary
of Terms
CUSTOMER KNOWLEDGE BASE
infO to know
Customer education goes a long way towards protecting you from serious kitchen exhaust system problems. And by being more knowledgeable, you will know when you need us.
Please take a minute or two to review some of the information below – and get to know your kitchen exhaust system a little better.
Check out the gallery below for a behind-the-scenes look at our kitchen exhaust system cleaning results in Alabama, Arizona, and California.
FAQ
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
A: Possibly the motor going bad and overheating. Or the breaker is faulty.
A: It’s possible the Make-Up Air System needs attention.
A: Pads on unit could need attention and/or the water pump isn’t working properly.
A: Multiple possible reasons, including:
- dirty grease filters
- dirty exhaust system
- loose belt on exhaust fan
- bad fan motor
We can inspect the system to determine the root cause of your problem.
A: It could be as simple as a loose belt. We include this in our inspections when we are performing PM cleanings.
A: Multiple possible reasons, including:
- fan blade damage
- worn pillow blocks
- bad bearings
A: Multiple possible reasons, including:
- dirty or damaged fan blade
- missing fan weights causing imbalance
- worn pillow blocks
- bad bearings
A: Multiple possible reasons, including:
- broken fan belt
- burned out fan motor
- bad breaker or electrical issues
A: Multiple possible reasons, including:
- worn or broken fan belt
- dirty hood filters
- bad fan motor
Call us at 866.600.2525 to schedule a FREE Inspection if you are currently experiencing any of these kitchen exhaust system issues – or select a location below to connect with us online in Alabama (statewide), Arizona (Greater Phoenix Area), or California (Los Angeles, San Diego & beyond).
GlOssary
GlOssary of Terms
Below you will find a collection of terms and definitions commonly used in relation to commercial kitchen exhaust systems. So if you ever find yourself wondering what exactly any of this means or why it is important, this glossary section should help bring more clarity and increase your understanding.
Kitchen Exhaust System Terms
Hood
A device used for cooking appliances to direct and capture grease laden vapors and exhaust gasses. Kitchen hoods are designed to capture and remove smoke, heat, and combustible byproducts from cooking processes, preventing accumulation of grease and reducing fire risks.
Grease Ducts
Function: Grease ducts are essential for commercial kitchen exhaust systems, designed to remove smoke, heat, and grease vapors from cooking equipment.
Fire Safety: They play a crucial role in fire safety, as they are designed to prevent the buildup of grease and other combustible materials that could ignite.
Construction and Installation:
- Grease ducts must be constructed of materials that are resistant to fire and corrosion.
- They should be installed with proper clearances from combustible materials to prevent fire spread.
- Horizontal ducts should have a slope to prevent grease accumulation.
- Access panels for cleaning and maintenance are required.
- Grease ducts that penetrate ceilings, walls, or floors must be enclosed.
Grease Removal Devices: NFPA 96 mandates the use of listed grease removal devices, such as hood filters, to capture grease before it enters the ductwork.
Maintenance and Inspection: Regular inspection and cleaning of grease ducts are crucial to prevent fire hazards.
Specific Requirements:
Access: Horizontal ducts should have at least one 20-inch by 20-inch opening for personnel entry, with safe access and a work platform if not easily accessible from a 3m (10 ft) stepladder.
Clearance: Ducts should have clearance between combustible materials.
Openings: Openings should be provided at the sides or top of the duct, and at changes of direction.
Access panels: Access panels should be made of the same material and thickness as the duct.
Exhaust Fan
In the context of NFPA 96, a kitchen exhaust fan is a device, part of a ventilation system, designed to capture and remove grease-laden vapors and exhaust gases from commercial cooking operations, crucial for fire safety.
Grease Filters
Are typically stainless steel baffled filters used to help capture great laden vapors. These should be cleaned frequently to optimize there effectiveness.
Fire Suppression System
A comprehensive fire extinguishing system that is built into the kitchen exhaust hood system. When temperatures reach a pre determined level the system sprays a fire retardant onto the cooking appliances below the hood.
Make-Up Air System Terms
Make-Up Air Unit (MUA)
A device used for replacing air that has been exhausted out of a building. These units can be used to heat, cool, dehumidify, or simply replace the exhausted air.
Supply Fan
This is the component in the MUA that forces fresh, replacement air into the building.
Air Balance
A process for optimizing an HVAC system to ensure that the correct amount of air is being delivered in the right places. This is crucial in a kitchen environment to prevent issues like cross-contamination of food or uncomfortable drafts.
Direct Fired Make-Up Air Unit
A type of MUA that heats incoming air using a gas burner directly in the air stream. These units are efficient but do not filter the incoming air.
Indirect Fired Make-Up Air Unit
In these units, the heating element (gas, electric, hot water, etc.) is separate from the airflow, allowing the incoming air to be filtered.
Dampers
These are adjustable plates located in ductwork that regulate airflow. They are typically used in zoning or balancing functions.
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Serving Alabama, Arizona & California
LOCATIONS
SouthWest Diversified has locations in Alabama, Arizona, and California to serve our customers best. For details, please refer to the list of the larger metro areas, cities and towns we serve, including, but not limited to:
Don’t see your area? No worries! We are equipped to provide service statewide in Alabama, Arizona, and California, so please do not hesitate to contact us. And if for any reason we are unable to visit your location, we will be happy to recommend a reputable service provider in your area who can.
SouthWest Diversified has locations in Alabama, Arizona, and California to serve our customers best. For details, please refer to the list of the larger metro areas, cities and towns we serve, including, but not limited to:
ALABAMA
Andalusia, AL
Birmingham, AL
Cullman, AL
Decatur, AL
Dothan, AL
Gulf Shores, AL
Hoover, AL
Huntsville, AL
Mobile, AL
Montgomery, AL
Tuscaloosa, AL
Tuscumbia, AL
ARIZONA
Apache Junction, AZ
Awatukee, AZ
Buckeye, AZ
Chandler, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Gilbert, AZ
Glendale, AZ
Maricopa, AZ
Mesa, AZ
Peoria, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Prescott, AZ
Scottsdale, AZ
Tempe, AZ
Tucson, AZ
CALIFORNIA
Fresno, CA
Imperial, CA
Inland Empire, CA
Kern, CA
Kings, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Madera, CA
Mariposa, CA
Merced, CA
Monterey, CA
Orange, CA
Riverside, CA
San Benito, CA
San Bernardino, CA
San Diego, CA
San Luis Obispo, CA
Santa Barbara, CA
Stanislaus, CA
Tulare, CA
Tuolumne, CA
Ventura, CA
Don’t see your area? No worries! We are equipped to provide service statewide in Alabama, Arizona, and California, so please do not hesitate to contact us. And if for any reason we are unable to visit your location, we will be happy to recommend a reputable service provider in your area who can.