In what type of installation must domestic range hoods discharge outdoors?

Domestic range hoods are specifically designed for use in residential settings, where their primary function is to effectively ventilate cooking odors, smoke, and excess moisture from the home. In residential installations, it is crucial for these hoods to discharge outdoors to ensure that contaminants are expelled from the living environment, preventing the buildup of smoke and odors within the home.

Ventilating these systems to the outdoors helps maintain indoor air quality and enhances safety by reducing the risk of fire hazards that can be associated with trapped grease and smoke. Additionally, many residential building codes and mechanical codes specifically mandate that domestic range hoods should vent to the outside to comply with safety and health standards, further emphasizing the importance of this requirement.

In contrast, commercial, industrial, or mixed-use installations may have different ventilation and exhaust system requirements, often dictated by the specific regulations governing those types of facilities. In those settings, the approach to ventilation can vary greatly depending on the equipment used, the nature of the cooking processes, and overall building design.