Expanding a professional kitchen hood typically involves increasing its size to accommodate higher cooking capacities or additional equipment. If you’re operating a restaurant in Florida, this expansion may require you to obtain a new permit. Below we’ll discuss several reasons why.

Permitting Requirements When Installing a Commercial Kitchen Hood

Even if your restaurant is already successfully operating and you’ve obtained a Certificate of Use from the city, a new renovation, including increasing the size of your hood, will in all likelihood require you to secure a new permit.

Florida Building Code Section 506 requires that commercial kitchen hood ventilation system ducts and exhaust equipment comply with certain requirements for the health and safety of the restaurant, its staff, patrons, and community.

Moreover, it’s not just the equipment itself that must meet rigorous standards, the installation also needs to be done correctly.

If you have plans to increase the size of your commercial kitchen hood, consult with a construction professional first to ensure you’re taking into consideration the following factors:

• Building code compliance – Local building codes regulate the size and specifications of kitchen hoods based on factors such as the type of cooking equipment, the size of the kitchen, and ventilation requirements. Increasing the size of the hood may necessitate modifications to meet updated code requirements, such as increased airflow capacity or additional fire suppression systems.

• Structural considerations – If you make any structural changes to support the new hood, these structural changes also often require approval from building inspectors to ensure compliance with safety standards and building codes.

• Fire safety and environmental regulations – If the fumes are not extracted properly, the mess it creates is astronomical. Fumes can be found throughout the restaurant, including in the seating area, and it creates a much greater risk for fire hazards. Kitchen hoods play a crucial role in fire prevention by capturing grease, smoke, and airborne contaminants produced during cooking, and expanding the hood size may trigger additional fire safety regulations.

• Professional installation requirements – Your hood system needs to mesh with your life safety components as well as all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing needs. Only a professional must take this on. Your contractor should work very closely with the hood company when they are onsite to align efforts during installation.

During a restaurant renovation or buildout, so much of the project rides on the successful installation of the professional hood system. If you’re upgrading commercial kitchen hood systems, it’s imperative that you get the equipment right during the build. Not only is this important for construction, but also for the long-term success and sustainability of running a safe and operational restaurant.

To learn more about our restaurant construction in South Florida and ask your questions, get in touch with our team at Seacoast Consultants. We have more than 25 years of experience representing clients throughout Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties in various capacities, including as general contractors, owner’s representatives and construction consultants. Contact us to learn how we can help you with your next project.