Frequently Asked Questions
Not enough ventilation, lack of fresh outdoor air or contaminated air being brought into the building; poor upkeep of ventilation, heating and air-conditioning systems, and dampness and moisture damage due to leaks, flooding or high humidity; occupant activities, such as construction or remodeling; and indoor and outdoor contaminated air.
The qualities of good IAQ should include comfortable temperature and humidity, adequate supply of fresh outdoor air, and control of pollutants from inside and outside of the building.
Indoor quality control describes how inside air can affect a person’s health, comfort, and ability to work. It can include temperature, humidity, lack of outside air (poor ventilation), mold from water damage, or exposure to other chemicals.
You should change the air filter in your furnace every 30 days to 3 months depending on the quality of the filter. It’s important to have the correct size filter in your furnace because the air filter captures the dust that circulates in your home. If you have not changed your filter in the last 30 days to 3 months, replace your filter immediately!
Air Duct Cleaning Tips:
- Have your Air Ducts cleaned before you move into a new or used house. You will be glad you did.
- Newly constructed homes can contain a considerable amount of drywall dust and wood floor sanding so consider having the ducts cleaned if you are moving into a new home as well, or just moved into a new home.
- You’re expecting a new child/ In the pregnancy stage
- You have toddlers or children at home
- You have respiratory problems like Asthma or allergies
: On average, you should have your air ducts in your home cleaned at least every 3-5 years or on an as needed basis; for example, allergy sufferers normally have their vent ducts cleaned annually to help reduce the number of dust mites in their home vents and bedding.
The EPA has determined that system cleaning will allow systems to run more efficiently by removing debris from sensitive mechanical components. Clean, Efficient systems are less likely to break down. They have a longer life span, and generally operate more efficiently than dirty systems. Duct cleaning will help protect your family from many different allergens discovered in air duct systems and provide dust mite relief.
Codes and regulations (for this question I would like you to add the NFPA QUICK GUIDE THAT I WAS SENT IN THE ORIGINAL EMAIL.)
IKECA is an international trade association representing kitchen exhaust cleaning specialists and inspectors of commercial kitchen exhaust systems.
When choosing a company, you can go into the IKECA website (auto impose the link to local IKECA members) and look for a vender near you. We always recommend to ask for some referrals of clients that the company has recently done. Finding out how long they have been in business for will also help.
According to NFPA 96 – 2011, Section 11.6.1: “Upon inspection, if the exhaust system is found to be contaminated with deposits from grease-laden vapors, the contaminated portions of the exhaust system shall be cleaned be a properly trained, qualified, and certified person(s) acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.”
Benefits of a regular cleaning include: Prevent Fires-Maintain proper airflow in your cooking area and keep the exhaust system free of dangerous grease build-up; Reduce Liability-Regular exhaust system cleaning and maintenance protects your investment from hazards; Eliminate Expenses-Properly maintaining your vent hood system will reduce wear and the need to replace costly parts.
Grease and particulate buildup in the exhaust system is a fire hazard, and greatly impacts on the efficiency and lifetime of mechanical equipment. According to the National Fire Protection Association, most restaurant fires originate on the kitchen cooking appliances and flare into the kitchen exhaust system. If the entire exhaust system is not cleaned, a significant risk for fire exists whenever cooking appliances are used.
According to NFPA 96 – 2011, Section 11.4: “The entire exhaust system shall be inspected for grease buildup by a properly trained, qualified, and certified person(s) acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and in accordance with Table 11.4.”
Regular maintenance of a restaurant’s kitchen exhaust system is one of the primary defenses against fire hazards. By keeping these systems working at their best, they will evacuate the smoke and grease out of the building and produce a cleaner, cooler kitchen and better working environment for staff and customers.
Kitchen exhaust cleaning Is the removal of the grease laden vapor that builds up on the Interior walls of the Kitchen exhaust system. This build up is usually unseen and is in the area of the hood behind baffles (grease filters), in the ductwork and at the exhaust fan.
The function of your kitchen exhaust system is to remove grease laden vapors, that is a by-product of the food your facility cooks. The removal of the grease laden vapors is essential in the safety for your customers and facility.
