There’s not much contestation about the significance of having a commercial exhaust system (which typically includes a commercial fire protection system) — especially if you have a kitchen restaurant where all the ingredients for a nasty fire disaster exist and are being used regularly. It’s both a moral and legal obligation to help protect not just your property, but more importantly, your employees and customers.

However, the debate lies in getting the best hood suppression system for your business. How do you choose the most suitable product for your restaurant? In this article, we’re giving you seven must-know tips.

Allocate a budget. One of the best investments you can get for your restaurant is a high-quality hood and commercial fire protection system. As you will shell out a significant amount of money for this one, it’s important to set a realistic budget for it first. You need to take into account several things apart from the system and installation itself; these include acceptance test fees and permits.

Make sure your hoods are compliant with national and local ordinances. The ventilation hood is the biggest part of a hood suppression system. Heat exhaust hoods are meant to vent fumes and smoke that come from high-heat producing equipment. Grease exhaust hoods, on the other hand, do the same only that they also feature a filter to trap grease and soot. When looking for a hood suppression system, don’t forget to check if the hoods are compliant with the commercial restaurant-related ordinances.

Know your kitchen and building layout. This is particularly helpful in strategically locating the exhaust fans that are tasked to keep your kitchen well ventilated. Depending on your kitchen and building layout, exhaust fans can be mounted either on the roof or on the wall.

Help improve circulation through make-up fans. Experts also recommend the installation of make-up fans to further improve circulation in your restaurant’s kitchen. These features of a hood suppression system are typically placed near exhaust fans. Apart from better circulation, make-up fans also work to keep the quality of indoor air clean.

Take the system’s lighting features into account. As hoods are placed above cooking areas, they are typically equipped with lights for illumination purposes. When looking for the best hood suppression system, you should take note if the lights feature sockets and globes that meet the standards set in local ordinances.

Choose one with a commercial fire compression system. In most areas, commercial exhaust systems are mandated to include fire suppression systems. Be sure to get a system that will cost-effectively match your needs. Therefore, it’s important to know the size of your kitchen as well as the types of kitchen equipment you use.

Consult with a professional. A commercial hood system also comprises an intricate network of vents, ducts, curbs, and caps. All these work together to ensure that your kitchen is properly ventilated and is free from fire hazards. It’s highly advisable to consult a professional to ensure that the system that will be installed in your kitchen fits your building’s blueprint.

Do you need commercial fire protection? We can help you make informed decisions so you can properly protect your business. Contact WFX today!