BCAB #1341 - Ventilation of Cooking Equipment in Classroom and Student Support Building, NFPA 96, Sentence 3.3.1.2.(2) & Article 6.2.2.6

March 16, 1994

BCAB #1341

Re: Ventilation of Cooking Equipment in Classroom and Student Support Building, NFPA 96, Sentence 3.3.1.2.(2) & Article 6.2.2.6

Project Description

This appeal applies to two kitchen equipment installations. One installation is a classroom for small groups of students and the other is in a small gathering/waiting room in a theatre. Both installations consist of a standard residential electric range, a double sink and a refrigerator.

The classroom kitchen is used by an instructor to teach small groups of students, some with special needs, how to prepare meals in a home environment. The theatre waiting room kitchen is used to make coffee and other simple foods for theatre personnel only. Theatre patrons are served by the cafeteria.

Reason for Appeal

Sentence 3.3.1.2.(2) requires kitchens containing commercial cooking equipment used in processes producing grease laden vapours to have the equipment designed and installed in conformance with Part 6. Article 6.2.2.6. requires ventilation systems for restaurant and other commercial cooking equipment to conform to NFPA 96, "Installation of Ventilation Equipment for the Removal of Smoke and Grease-Laden Vapors from Commercial Cooking Equipment".

Appellant's Position

The appellant contends that a ventilation system conforming to NFPA 96 is not required for these two kitchens because they are not commercial operations and would not produce grease or smoke laden vapours.

Building Official's Position

The building official maintains that they interpret the requirements of Article 6.2.2.6. to apply to all kitchen installations except those for regular family use. The official insists that "it is of the utmost importance that all protection be provided for the occupants as per the intent of the Building code" in a multi-use building such as this (classrooms, theatre & assembly) and that it would "almost impossible" to insure that only simple foods would be prepared in the two kitchens.

Appeal Board Decision #1341

It is the determination of the Board that Sentence 3.3.1.2.(2) does not apply to this project. The Board does not consider the kitchens are used for commercial cooking as intended by the Code.

George R. Humphrey, Chair