BCAB #1403lon - Exhaust Cleaning Device for Commercial Kitchen Ventilation System, NFPA 96

August 17, 1995

BCAB #1403

Re: Exhaust Cleaning Device for Commercial Kitchen Ventilation System, NFPA 96

Project Description

This appeal concerns an exhaust cleaning and recycling device connected to the exhaust ducting from a commercial kitchen ventilation system.

Reason for Appeal

Article 6.2.2.6. requires systems for the ventilation of restaurants and other commercial cooking equipment to be "designed, constructed and installed to conform to NFPA 96, "Installation of Equipment for the Removal of Smoke and Grease-Laden Vapors from Commercial Cooking Equipment,"". The piece of equipment under appeal is connected to such a ventilation system.

Appellant's Position

The appellant contends that the ULC listing for this product stipulates the exhaust ducting leaving the cleaning device is permitted to be standard air conditioning type ductwork, not the heavy welded steel construction required by NFPA 96, and no fire extinguishing equipment is required in the unit or the ducting leaving the unit. The equipment in question is listed as conforming to ULC/ORD-C710, "Exhaust Cleaning and Recycling Assemblies for Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Systems". The Standards Council of Canada accepts that accredited agencies such as ULC can develop Other Recognized Documents (ORD) to deal with devices, constructions, materials and systems for which no recognized standards are available. ULC/ORD-C710 is such a document and was developed based on ULC's experience, existing specifications and requirements in related areas and assistance from its advisory councils. Many ORDs have ultimately become national standards.

Building Official's Position

The building official maintains that although NFPA 96 permits the installation of auxiliary equipment such as exhaust cleaning and recycling devices it does not permit the downgrading of other parts of the exhaust system even if such equipment is listed (ref. 6-3 Other Equipment). Also, the deletion of the fire extinguishing equipment must be acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and all the cooking equipment must be served by " listed grease extractors containing a constant or fire actuated water system ".

Appeal Board Decision #1403

It is the determination of the Board that exhaust cleaning and recycling devices are permitted by NFPA 96 (section 6-3) but the downstream ductwork must conform to the requirements of NFPA 96 and is not permitted to be downgraded to standard air conditioning ductwork.

George R. Humphrey, Chair