What is a requirement on a grease hood that is used to catch grease?

A grease hood is designed to capture grease, smoke, and vapor generated from cooking appliances, particularly in commercial kitchens. One of its primary functions is to channel grease away from the cooking area effectively to prevent accumulation that could lead to fires and poor air quality.

The inclusion of grease gutters in the design of a grease hood is crucial because they are specifically devised to direct grease accumulation toward a designated collection point, usually leading to a grease trap or floor drain. This feature is essential for minimizing the risk of grease buildup, which can become a fire hazard, and for ensuring easy maintenance and cleaning of the hood system.

While grease traps, ventilation fans, and heat shields are all relevant components in a kitchen's ventilation and fire suppression systems, they do not serve the specific role of directing collected grease away. Grease traps are used downstream to separate grease from wastewater, ventilation fans expel air and odors from the kitchen, and heat shields provide protection from radiant heat. However, without grease gutters in the grease hood itself, effective management and prevention of grease buildup would be compromised. Thus, grease gutters are an integral requirement for proper grease hood functionality.