How Can Commercial Kitchen Ventilation (CKV) and Industrial Cooking Grease Fires be Avoided?

Firefighters battle the Shin Foods Noodle Factory fire. (Source: OPB) Photo: Courtesy of Portland Fire & Rescue

The recent grease fire at the Shin Foods Noodle Factory in Portland, Oregon – displacing some 65 workers - serves as a stark reminder of the fire hazards present in commercial and industrial kitchens. According to Portland Fire & Rescue spokesperson, the fire was believed to have started in a hood vent and quickly grew, due to grease in the duct and other flammable materials stored too closely together. Nearly 100 firefighters were called to the scene to contain the blaze, at one point pumping more than 2,000 gallons of water per minute into the building. Although the fire was contained, smaller crews were still working to extinguish it a day later, with fire watch crews monitoring the situation to ensure no further risks. (See original article here: https://www.opb.org/article/2024/06/25/portland-noodle-factory-fire-smoke/)

This incident, again, highlights the critical importance of managing grease buildup in CKV hoods and ducts to prevent such catastrophic events. In fact, the National Fire Protection Association reports that in an average year, 11,100 structure fires occur in eating and drinking establishments, causing $163.1 million in property damage. A significant portion of the fires originate from grease (fuel) accumulation in the hoods and ducting, which can easily ignite in solid, liquid, or vapor form.

Commercial cooking designers and restaurant operators have accepted the concept of a “grease duct” in lieu of what should be an “air duct”. The time has come for the restaurant industry to know that open flame cooking in direct communication with a kitchen hood in direct communication with a grease duct laden with flammable grease is a risk they no longer must accept.

In today’s world of advanced air and particle control systems, the term “grease duct” can now be abolished in favor of “air duct” for commercial kitchen ventilations systems. Now, Air Dynamics has devised a way to eliminate or significantly reduce grease and odors when cooking proteins, par-frying, parboiling, pressure cooking, etc., that discharge into CKV hoods, ducts, fans and roof stacks.

Oil, grease and fats are captured at the source with Air Dynamics technology instead of exhausting cooking effluent into the atmosphere. This eliminates or substantially reduces air and surface water pollution around commercial and industrial cooking establishments. Air Dynamics' Kitchen Sentry™ or engineered CKV air pollution control scrubbers are designed for 24/7 operations.

The phrase “you’re playing with fire” is appropriate for food manufacturing, commercial cooking and restaurant cooking where open flames or high temperature cooking appliances are used. Grease buildup in the “grease duct” over time increase the risk of fire associated with high volume commercial and industrial cooking operations.

To help prevent similar disasters, Air Dynamics offers advanced solutions for commercial kitchen ventilation systems. Our products, including the Kitchen Sentry™ CKV kitchen hood grease scrubbers, Hydrodynamic CKV Scrubbers and CKV Dry scrubbers play a vital role in reducing the risk of grease fires by separating the grease in the hood or in the scrubber, improving outside air quality and eliminating flammable substances from ducts, fans, roof stacks and oil precipitation onto rubber roofing. Here’s how these systems help protect against fire risks:

1. Type I Ventilation Systems

Designed for kitchens with equipment like fryers and grills that produce grease-laden air, these systems are equipped with Kitchen Sentry™ technology. This system captures over 90% of grease, particulate matter, and smoke before they enter exhaust ducts, preventing dangerous grease buildup in the system. By reducing flammable material, these systems significantly lower the risk of fire.

2. Type II Ventilation Systems

For kitchens that don’t use grease-heavy equipment (like ovens or steamers), Type II systems are equipped with wet scrubbers to remove steam, smoke, and odors. These systems can be integrated with smoke and heat detection technology, which can quickly identify and respond to fire hazards.

3. Canopy and Wall-Mounted Hoods

Whether for heavy-duty ranges or compact kitchens, hoods equipped with the Kitchen Sentry™ and scrubber systems ensure grease and smoke are captured at the source. This reduces the accumulation of flammable grease in ducts and hoods, helping prevent fires from spreading.

4. Downdraft Ventilation

Ideal for island cooktops or where overhead hoods are impractical, downdraft systems capture smoke and grease directly at the cooking surface. The Kitchen Sentry™ or CKV scrubbers integrate with these systems to prevent grease buildup, offering an additional layer of fire protection.

5. Make-Up Air Systems

Make-up air systems ensure balanced airflow and pressure within the kitchen. Air Dynamics stack scrubbers treat exhaust air, filtering out pollutants like smoke and odors, which reduces the risk of fire hazards associated with poor airflow.

Key Features of Air Dynamics' Kitchen Sentry™ and Scrubber Solutions:

• Heavy Duty Design: Built for continuous operation in commercial kitchens.

• Prevents Grease Buildup: Captures grease before it enters ducts, drastically reducing fire risks.

• High Efficiency (90+%): Effectively captures grease, smoke, and particulate matter.

• Self-Cleaning and Durable: Reduces maintenance needs and ensures long-term operation.

• Fire Suppression Integration: Works seamlessly with fire suppression systems to quickly contain fires.

By implementing these advanced ventilation systems, commercial kitchens can significantly reduce the likelihood of grease fires, protect workers, and maintain a safer cooking environment.

Conclusion

Air Dynamics' Kitchen Sentry™, combined with our advanced scrubber solutions, offers a comprehensive and reliable approach to commercial kitchen ventilation. Whether utilizing dry scrubbers, wet scrubbers, wet-dry scrubbers, or stack scrubbers, our systems capture and remove grease, smoke, odors, and particulates efficiently, reducing fire risks and improving kitchen safety. With features like high-efficiency filtration, self-cleaning designs, and the ability to retrofit existing setups, Air Dynamics provides tailored solutions that protect both your kitchen and your staff from fire hazards while enhancing air quality and operational efficiency.