Here in Pensacola a lot of people are trying to help a mission which houses the ‘homeless who fall through the govt cracks’. The fire inspectors were trying to shut them down but a lot of local people stepped in and did work or donated stuff. My part in this is to try to find a commercial range hood and vent system for the kitchen; which state code requires even though they are only using a household range (24×30). I had no idea going in that it would get so complex, apparently all new systems are custom made and the going price is $2500-3000. what I need from you ‘breakers’ is someone who knows where I can get one 2nd hand from a place that has shut down or is upgrading to something bigger. the minimum hood opening is 30×42 and a blower needs to move a bit over 1000cfm. This is a 501a(k?) listed charity so any donation of material or equiptment would be a tax deduction. Or if it’s not too much I could try to get all my friends to caugh up something. Any help with any part of this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, rusti
Replies
1. There are restuarant supply houses that often include old equipment from restaurants that didn't make it. Huge commerical hoods---not sure if there is something smaller.
2. Call a few manufacturers or local dealers and see if they have dent-and-scratch they would be willing to donate or reduce (better yet, the director of the non-profit should call them).
3. If there are some local colleges, check in with the "volunteer services" department. They might know more avenues (OR) the student volunteers can help you find something.
4. Any local restaurants with for sale signs on them? Check with the realtor and see if the owners would part with used equipment.
Have you tried Bestbybroan.com? Maybe they will donate one of their units.
F
There he goes—one of God's own prototypes—a high powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live and too rare to die.
—Hunter S. Thompson
from Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas
Used restaurant equipment dealers are alot like a pawn shop sale. Usually they are firm on their price and as you know, everything has a price. And they seem to be located in the seedy warehouse district which puts them in close proximity to the homeless and urban crime. You might get lucky in this venue, but it could be some work.
Their inventory is also of the large size variety. Sounds like even a "small grill" unit might be overkill.
The real cost is probably going to be the ansul fire suppression system. I think you could talk them into a recharge no problem.
You've gotten some good tips above, hop on the phone and the best of luck.
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
I really appreciate all the good suggestions.I am looking on ebay, but haven't yet found anything I thought would work.boats234 - I have to have a commercial system becuase more than 8 people are being housed there. It doesn't have any thing to do with the stove itself - it's fla code.Tim - I didn't realize thee was so much differece between type 1 and 2
hoods - I'll hit the inspectors office today and nail it down.We're putting together a plan to build a center for these people over the next few years - a couple of churchs are leading the charge. So even if I have to get a hood that's too big for this install I figure we can use it as part of the newer place.I know there must be HUGE bunches of salvage along the coast - I was hoping some of you were in that area and actually knew of some. I will try the auction site and if neccessary I will get in my pickup and just cruise highway 98 from Mobile to NO.thanks for all the advice and if you see anything please let me know.
I'm at 850-968-2260.rusti
Rusti,
I attached a section of the NFPA-96 as applies to hood systems. Each state obviously adopts there own code and practices so what applies to me may not apply to Fla.
What was said earlier about equipment producing smoke and grease vapors requiring fire suppression is true, but in La. that is accepted as equipment with an open flame. Otherwise I would need an ansul system on my coffee pot<g>
I spoke with a friend of mine who builds and remodels group homes for the handicapped out in Baton Rouge, and he reiterated my position about using a residential type hood over an electric range/oven. My code also lists 18Gauge steel or 20 gauge SS as a requirement-- even though it has never came up with an inspector in my area--I went to Broan's website and could'nt find what gauge is used.
You obviously don't want to spend any more then needed or get a great deal on something you can't use, so my next suggestion would be to contact some hood guys in your area (not the tin benders but the fire protection guys) as they deal closely with the fire marshal and fire code on a daily basis.
Good luck on your project and remember that" no good deed goes unpunished"
Chapter 1 Administration
1.1 Scope.
1.1.1* This standard shall provide the minimum fire safety
requirements (preventative and operative) related to the design,
installation, operation, inspection, and maintenance of
all public and private cooking operations.
1.1.2 This standard shall apply to residential cooking equipment
used for commercial cooking operations.
1.1.3 This standard shall not apply to cooking equipment
located in a single dwelling unit.
1.1.4* This standard shall not apply to facilities where all of
the following are met:
(1) Only residential equipment is being used.
(2) Fire extinguishers located in all kitchen areas in accordance
with NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers.
(3) Facility is not an assembly occupancy.
(4) Subject to the approval of the authority having
jurisdiction.
1.2 Purpose. The purpose of this standard shall be to reduce
the potential fire hazard of cooking operations, irrespective of
the type of cooking equipment used and whether used in public
or private facilities.
Wanted you all to know that we found a guy who specializes in used commercial equipment and will give us almost everything. All I need to find is someone to put it together, which I think will be fiarly simple in comparison with the rest. Thanks everyone for all the great suggestions.rusti
Try Ebay, or a landlord that has a closed restaurant, try calling a hood cleaning service and asking for help locating one (Yellow Pages, Hood Cleaning or Restaurant Equipment Repair). I have seen them on Ebay and bought similar items from A-city discount (Big Ebayer) out of Atlanta.
Good Luck
Rusti,
If you have an electric range, you shouldn't need an Ansul System (fire suppression) so I'm assuming you have a gas range-- household or commercial shouldn't matter. If so a residential 36" or 42" hood should suffice for an elec. range. So it may be easier to replace the gas range with an electric one, at least for temporary untill you can locate a cheap used commercial hood.
The rule of thumb for a new hood with fire suppression is $1000 per foot.
But if you can find one at auction they usually go for pennies on the dollar but without the ansul system or it's been scavenged or ripped up in the salvage. The ones I've seen go for $25 to $100 bucks tops. They don't recycle well into new establishments because of the custom nature of there construction-- so you may have to settle for one 2 to 3 X the size you actually need at auction.
You're on the panhandle I see-- lots of damaged businesses and restaurants-- find out who's handling the salvage- check with local insurers. Got an auctioneer about 60 miles WNW of N.O. thats auctioning off a sh#tload of casino kitchen equipment on Feb. 18th http://www.hendersonauctions.com -- they don't list any hoods on there flyer just yet but they're adding more everyday.
Tig,
I would recommend that you find out what "the state code" requires. There are two types of commercial kitchen exhaust hoods. Type I and Type II. Type II is the less restrictive and is typically used for dishwasher exhaust, pizza ovens, etc, basically anything than doesn't produce smoke or grease. No fire supression is required for such a hood. Type I hoods have 4 classes, depending on the appliances underneath.
The type II hoods are way less expensive than $2500-3000. You could buy one new, made of stainless steel with lights for less than 1000. Based on my experience with similar installations, a type II hood will comply with the International Mechanical Code. This is where you'll need to know the applicable code.
With a type II hood, (constructed of at leaset 18 guage steel or 20 guage SS) you'll need an exhaust fan that moves 200 cfm/liner ft of hood (for a wall mounted canopy), in your case 700 cfm.
IF you get a hood that doesn't comply, even if its free, it is still no bargain. Good luck.