Douglas Hicks
New Member
I recently did an exhaust system cleaning job. The system was installed in July of 2000. The hood is a back draft, with a vertical duct for 6 feet, a 90 degree bend horizontally for 10 feet, a 90 degree bend vertically for 4 feet and another 90 degree bend that exits the building to the fan on a flat roof. the last run is about 14 feet. When the sheet metal people were running the duct work, I told them that access panels were required. I gave them the info on DuctMate Brand panels. The first panels they were going to install were the low temp models for HVAC ducts. After several phone calls I got them to order the hi-temp panels. I told the sheet metal people where to install the panels. One of the panels is installed properly, allowing access to the horizontal run to the fan, and the vertical duct down. The other access panel is too small to allow me to use my spinner nozzle and wagon. The panel is also on the bottom of the duct, and leaking. There is no access panel on the vertical duct from the hood, so the only way to clean that duct is from the bottom. We all know that does not allow for cleaning to bare metal. After the panels were installed, I told the sheet metal company and the owner that the panel was not installed properly and would leak grease. the owner said he would take care of the problem. That has not been done. Of course the owner assured me that when the place catches fire, he will not hold me responsable. Yeah, and he'll respect me in the morning too. I also serviced the fire system when I cleaned the exhaust system. My service report has a place for remarks and notes. I listed the notes as follows:
1. No access to clean vertical and horizontal duct in kitchen
2. Access panel mounted on bottom of horizontal duct leaks.
3. Wrong grease filter in hood.
4. Very low air movement in system.
The owner told me he would not pay me if I left the service report as written, with the defeciencies noted. This job was inspected by the local building inspector, which means absolutly nothing. I have yet to see an inspector that knows anything about commercial kitchens.
How about some input on this?
Douglas Hicks
General Fire Equipment Co of Eastern Oregon
1. No access to clean vertical and horizontal duct in kitchen
2. Access panel mounted on bottom of horizontal duct leaks.
3. Wrong grease filter in hood.
4. Very low air movement in system.
The owner told me he would not pay me if I left the service report as written, with the defeciencies noted. This job was inspected by the local building inspector, which means absolutly nothing. I have yet to see an inspector that knows anything about commercial kitchens.
How about some input on this?
Douglas Hicks
General Fire Equipment Co of Eastern Oregon