Is It Illegal To Work In A Kitchen Without Ventilation?

 Is It Illegal To Work In A Kitchen Without Ventilation?

Working in a kitchen without ventilation is considered an illegal act.

There are rules and guidelines in place which are meant to be followed whenever a house or a facility is built or set up.

One of these rules strictly states that every house built should have a proper ventilation system.

Extraction regulations are put in place mostly for commercial kitchens. A lot of heat and vapor is often produced as cooking takes place.

These have to be managed efficiently. A proper ventilation system should be used to extract these fumes and direct them somewhere else safely.

Apart from being a law requirement.

Proper ventilation in the kitchen can also help prevent menace such as suffocation due to congested kitchen atmosphere and fire, which can cause devastating effects to facilities or people’s lives.

Here are few points to note whenever you want to confirm whether your kitchen’s ventilation is effective or not.

For your kitchen ventilation system to be considered effective;

• The ventilation system must remove fumes from their source, that is, from the appliance emanating the fumes.
• It must be capable of replacing the kitchen’s excess hot air with clean, cool air to make the kitchen’s environment comfortable and conducive.
• An inefficient ventilation system can make the kitchen stuffy hence causing drowsiness and other forms of sickness to the staff.
• The ventilation system should also ensure that air circulation in the system is adequately regulated, not to make it draughty or uncomfortable.
• It should also be able to provide sufficient oxygen for combustion at appliances used for fire or heat purposes and control carbon monoxide accumulation in the process.
• The kitchen ventilation system should be relatively easy to clean to avoid blocking air inlets with accumulated fat residues, which may increase the chances of a fire from occurring.
• The system should also be quiet and free from vibration.

When installing a kitchen ventilation system, you should also keep in mind your cooking load, the number of cooking pieces of equipment that will be in use, and also the number of staff that will be operating in the kitchen.

Your kitchen’s shape and layout should also be considered, and maintenance and cleaning of the system.

A kitchen with a higher cooking load and more staff should have numerous more advanced ventilation systems put in place than a simple home kitchen.

What Are Some Of The Effective Design Features For Kitchen Ventilation Systems?

Canopies; The canopies, when put in place, should be able to aid in extraction of the kitchen fumes produced effectively.

It has to be big enough to significantly minimize kitchen fumes. A canopy hood should be installed over every kitchen appliance emanating heat and fumes when in use.

Following work requirements, the canopies should be as close as possible to the heat or fire source.

The canopy’s airflow should be consistent and uniform and meet the appliance’s design-rate.

The canopy and the ductwork should be done with non-combustible materials to reduce grease and dirt accumulation and condensation.

Access to the ductwork should be suitable to enhance the cleaning process, thereby preventing any fats and other undesired waste from accumulating.

The installed grease filters should be easily removed when there is a need for replacement or cleaning purposes.

Performance; Information on the kitchen appliance is used to calculate the standard extraction rate. This rate is also responsible for standard kitchen air exchange rates.

When canopies are not in use, for example, when the kitchen fumes extraction is done by ventilated ceilings, consulting a qualified ventilation and heating engineer to do the standard ventilation rates is advised.

The design of the system in place should ensure the kitchen is not draughty.

Maintenance; Ventilation systems efficient maintenance should be in line with the manufacture’s directives and instructions.

Failure to follow the installer’s or manufacturer’s instructions may lead to improper maintenance or breakdown of the entire system, thereby making you incur unplanned replacement costs.

Replacement air; Ventilation design should be able to replace the extracted stuffed air with fresh cool air.

Natural means can also be used to fill in the fresh air in place of the extracted fumes.

Air can be efficiently replaced in smaller kitchens through windows, ventilation grills on walls and doors.

For such natural ventilation methods, you may want to install pest entry control measures.

For larger installations, the fan and filter system is more suitable.

You should also keep in mind the supposed fresh air used to replace the extracted air should not be drawn from a dirty area, such as smoke-stuffed places or garbage locations.

Cooling air; The kitchen’s cool environment is maintained by continually replacing the hot stuffed air with cool air.

For efficient kitchen cooling using mechanical air systems, consider directing the cooler air towards the heating areas of the kitchen, which emanate a lot of heat.

You may also think about installing fixed fans that do not interfere with fume extraction efficiency.

You may want to avoid local standing fans since they are likely to cause turbulence in the air, thereby affecting fume extraction efficiency.

They are not preferred for balancing extracted hot air with cool incoming air.

Furthermore, these freestanding fans increase the possibility of other hazards such as electric shock and tripping in the kitchen. Sometimes the effects of such incidents could be devastating.

Discharge; Highly efficient discharge methods for extracted fumes should be in place to avoid causing environmental hazards, thereby being a nuisance to the neighboring community.

Also, avoid using pieces of equipment that directly discharged fumes downwards as they may cause re-entry to the facility or kitchen, thereby making it draughty.

Fumes should be discharged no-where close to wet cooling towers.

Why Is Ventilation An Important Necessity? 

An adequately ventilated kitchen creates a conducive working environment for kitchen staff and makes the working space safe.

As discussed, during kitchen operations such as cooking and other heating involved processes, many fumes are produced.

When these are combined in a relatively confined space, kitchen staff in such an environment are most likely to feel discomfort.

Below are few benefits of ensuring proper ventilation systems are set in place;

Efficient ventilation reduces irritation effects felt by employees on their skins and eyes.

• The occurrence of common respiratory illnesses among the employees is also significantly reduced since the toxic fumes will be effectively extracted.
• The kitchen’s working temperature is maintained at a comfortable level for the employees to operate without feeling dissatisfied with the working condition. A conducive working environment reduces the rate of staff turnover.
• Efficient kitchen ventilation prevents the build-up of waste airborne particles and fumes.
• You must always ensure that the extraction systems are properly maintained and cleaned for them to function efficiently.
• Proper ventilation ensures constant quality air circulation in the kitchen. This will be as advantageous to your employees as those in the surrounding area since unwanted heat and vapor will be efficiently taken care of.
• Efficacious ventilation prevents grease build-up. Grease evaporates during frying, then, later on, condenses on the ceilings and walls if the kitchen lacks proper ventilation. When this occurs, hygiene ad food safety is compromised.

Installing an effective ventilation system in your kitchen will not be of great use if your employees lack the appropriate knowledge on maintenance and cleaning.

Always ensure that the employees are equipped with proper know-how on the maintenance and cleaning the installed ventilators on the premise.

When proper systems are put in place and are well maintained, your employees and the public will be safe.

Go through the installer’s or manufacturer’s instructions on the cleaning and maintenance process.

Other Things To Consider For Kitchen Ventilation

Smaller spaced kitchens are more comfortable to ventilate as you may use natural ways such as grills on walls, windows, or doors.

For large kitchens, you will have to install large mechanical extraction methods to ensure proper ventilation, such as a fan and filter.

You should also ensure that the ventilation system in place does not cause discomfort to employees due to the draughty nature of the room or uncomfortable, noisy systems.

The system should also ensure that respiratory illnesses are significantly dealt with by ensuring no air-borne particles are left carelessly floating in the air.

Your kitchen’s ventilation should be constantly clean and properly maintained.

When fats and other kitchen waste residues are left to collect, your ventilation system will be ineffective.

These residues may end up filling your air inlets, thereby creating a stuffy environment for the kitchen.

A kitchen stuffed with fumes due to lack of proper extraction process and adequate air circulation may end up causing respiratory problems to employees and interfere with your food safety.

You should also hire a professional ventilation cleaner to be deep clean the system once a while.

When installing a ventilation system, you have to consider other factors that are in line with the design of the system you want to be installed.

Some of the factors to have in mind are the cooking load for the kitchen, the kitchen layout, and the kitchen appliance used.

Nevertheless, strive to avoid using freestanding fans as a method of ventilation.

They cause turbulence, which significantly reduces the extraction system’s efficiency and may also spread other microorganisms.

In addition, other hazards such as tripping on their cables and risking electric shock will also be introduced into the kitchen.

How Are My Ventilation Requirements Affected By My Kitchen Layout?

Some of the most effective ways of maximizing the effectiveness of your ventilation system therein improving air circulation and quality you may adopt are as follows;

You may consider placing your cooking equipment far back, preferably against the wall, and ensure the equipment’s behind is properly sealed.

Consider installing wall-mounted exhaust hoods in place of overhead hoods since they are considered more effective.

Ensure your vent hoods are overhanging your pieces of cooking equipment and appliances so that more fumes, grease, and smoke are extracted efficiently.

Hoods should be mounted as low as possible and still leave adequate access room to the equipment for you and the employees.

What Is A Make-Up Air Unit?

A makeup air unit is an extra system installed to add air replacement for the extracted air and fumes through vent and exhaust hoods.

Makeup air is air pulled into your space to replace pulled out stuffed air. Without it, there will be poor air circulation, temperature control, and unstable air pressure.

These are likely to cause drowsiness and other uncomfortable feelings among those operating in the room, mostly kitchens.

Such conditions may also initiate or enhance the spread of diseases and other microorganisms.

Do I Need A Make-Up Air Unit?

Ventilation for commercial kitchens is designed, so that extracted stuffed air by vent hoods is replaced by fresh air in approximately equal measure.

Mechanical ventilation systems are normally hardly adequate for commercial kitchens; therefore, a supplemental system for supplying fresh air from outside is necessary.

Without the system in place, there will be concerns with your kitchen’s air quality due to probable stuffed heat and smoke.

This may eventually result in respiratory health complications. Furthermore, having a make-up air system is regulation for commercial kitchens and other busy building facilities.

Are Makeup Air Units Ideal For Restaurants?

Restaurants are some of the busiest places with confined space, especially the kitchens. They are often full of people moving about.

Makeup air units are likely to be of great help in ensuring that proper air circulation is maintained continuously.

Some of the reasons why makeup air is essential for restaurants are;

• Replacement of extracted stuffed air; Medium-sized restaurants is likely to have at least two or more exhaust systems in the kitchens.
• One for appliances that generate grease and heat, such as grills, fryers, cooktops, and the other for appliances that emanate steam, such as baking ovens and dishwashing equipment.
• These systems are often quite powerful and extract thousands of cubic feet of air in a minute.
• Fresh air is then used to replace the extracted stuffed air. Failure to do this, an unpleasant condition develops in the kitchen.
• The problems associated with these conditions are even greater in restaurants with contemporary designs, such as airtight rooms and kitchens, which lack the natural flow of air from outside into the kitchen space.
• Provides efficient ventilation for customers and kitchen staff; Air quality significantly deteriorates when there is inadequate air supply into your space.
• Proper ventilation ensures adequate air circulation in the restaurant, thereby discouraging infestation of viruses, bacteria, and other life-threatening microorganisms and diseases.
• Buildings with poor ventilation can aid in the robust spread of diseases.

What Are Some Problems I Can Solve By Installing A Makeup Air Unit System For My Kitchen?

Negative air pressure. Sometimes you may experience a slam on the door as it shuts or have problems opening the door once it is shut; this is a result of negative air pressure, which results from inefficient air replacement.

Your employees and diners may be negatively affected by such experiences and, in turn, choose to go to other restaurants.

Though, this issue can be sorted by having in place an effective makeup air unit system. The system will ensure air pressure in your restaurants is adequately balanced and maintained.

Back drafting. Restaurant kitchens are customarily fitted with chimneys or draft stacks to emanate dangerous by-products such as carbon monoxide, released from firing appliances such as wood-fired ovens and grilles when operating.

When there is inadequate air supply, the produced fumes which are to be extracted out the kitchen hang around in the air, causing a stuffy, congested environment for the employees and other restaurant users.

This will make your employees feel uncomfortable and often sickly as they breathe in the contaminated air.

Also, due to improper extraction, grease is likely to accumulate all over, creating inefficient functioning of the kitchen appliances.

However, with a proper makeup air unit installed in place, these problems are significantly

reduced since there will be adequate air circulation in the kitchen and other parts of the restaurant, thereby enhancing the extraction of fumes and grease produced in the process.

Inefficient kitchen exhaust hoods; Your kitchen exhaust hoods are not likely to perform efficiently if there is an inadequate air supply due to a lack of proper make-up air unit installed in the kitchen.

The exhaust fumes will not remove stuffy fumes produced in the cooking process. The resulting kitchen condition will be hazardous to your employees, causing respiratory illnesses.

Your diners are not likely to prefer a stuffy looking restaurant as well. Makeup air units do away with such uncomfortable kitchen conditions, replacing the stuffed air with fresh air, making the kitchen environment a conducive working place for your employees.

Your diners will also be comfortable taking their meals in an area with proper air circulation.

What Are The Benefits Of Ventilation?

Often, employees working in a kitchen are cramped together to go about their duties for several hours.

Sufficient ventilation ensures a conducive working environment is created for the employees.

Once employees working environment is excellent, productivity will be improved. Staff fatigue will also be significantly reduced.

In conclusion, working in a kitchen without ventilation is considered illegal since there are rules and regulations set to ensure kitchens are built with proper ventilation.

Moreover, operating in inadequately ventilated kitchens also poses a danger to the kitchen users. Accumulated fumes may cause respiratory illness, among other health hazards.

Efficient ventilation systems should be installed and regularly cleaned to ensure proper air circulation is maintained.