Aerosol Separator Testing and Kitchen Exhaust Air Cleaning Systems by DMT
Customer benefits:
- Fast and flexible implementation of your testing requirements.
- Proof of the performance and high quality of your products through test certificates from our independent, accredited test laboratory (confidence for the end-customer).
- Issuing of certificates and TÜV test marks (in cooperation with TÜV NORD)
- Benefit from the many years of experience of our engineers and technicians.
Kitchen Ventilation Requirements
There are various regulations and recommendations concerning the ventilation of kitchens. In Germany these are based on legal workplace regulations (ArbStättV and ASR) and on the recommendations of the relevant Employers' Liability Insurance Association (Berufsgenossenschaft (BG)). The regulations are summarised as follows:
The workplace regulations specify guidelines for working areas, including things such as the ventilation and temperature control and the minimum illumination of working areas. For specific regulations there are the more detailed so-called "technical rules for the workplace" (in Germany ASR), which contain more precise definitions and interpretations of indeterminate legal terms. The workplace regulations are valid throughout Germany.
"ASR 3.6 - ventilation" is fundamental in regulating the ventilation of commercial kitchens.
It illustrates in detail the air quality requirements (incl. moisture and heat) and the requirements that apply to free ventilation and air conditioning systems, e.g. that the air extracted from kitchens may not be re-used as supply air.
The requirements for kitchen ventilation and extraction are defined more precisely in "GUV-R 111 - Rules for Health and Safety - Working in Commercial Kitchens", published by the German Association of Accident Insurers (2007). This specifies: An air conditioning system (supply and extracted air) is required in kitchens in order to maintain air quality and temperatures conducive to good health. Moreover, the following applies: An extraction system is required at all times if large amounts of grease fumes and vapours are to be expected, for example where fryers, braising pans, roasters, grills, kettles and similar devices are in use, and the design of such air conditioning systems must comply with the VDI Directive 2052 "Air Conditioning Systems in Kitchens".
For kitchen extractor hoods GUV-R 111 demands that: The volumetric flow rate of the extractor hood must be sufficient to enable rapid capture of steam and vapours.
In addition, the following regulations apply: Kitchen extractor hoods and vents must be fitted with highly effective aerosol separators (grease filters) in order to prevent the exhaust ducts and the fan from becoming laden with grease."
As well as a high level of capture efficiency (so far not further defined) the GUV-R 111 specifies that: Aerosol separators (grease filters) must be designed so that flame transmission to subsequent parts of the system is largely prevented. Mesh filters alone are not permitted as aerosol separators for fire protection reasons, due to their variable resistance, the permeability of UV radiation when using UV-systems and the fact that they are more difficult to keep clean. They may, however, be used in combination with an upstream aerosol trap (combination filter) .
Furthermore, the GUV-R 111 provides more information on hygiene and the installation and removal of aerosol separators as well as specifications for aerosol and grease treatment systems. As regards hygiene, it recommends that: kitchen extractor hoods and their components (e.g. aerosol separators) are checked daily for grease and dirt and cleaned if necessary. The cleaning carried out should be documented.
ASI 8.19/08 of the German Employers' Liability Insurance Association for Food and Restaurants gives occupational health and safety information on ventilation and extraction in commercial kitchens and, in particular, detailed information on hazardous substances in the kitchen. With regards to aerosol separators, the only recommendations specified more precisely than those in GUV-R 111 are: Aerosol traps in exhaust ventilation systems must be cleaned in accordance with the operational requirements, however, at least every 14 days. In case of a heavy build-up of grease, daily cleaning procedures may be necessary.
Unfortunately there is no further clarification as to what internal level of capture efficiency constitutes a "highly effective" aerosol separator. ASI 9.30 deals with fire protection in relation to fryers but does not mention the possible fire hazard caused by grease in exhaust ducts and how to reduce this risk through efficient aerosol separation.
As the title suggests, ASI 8.18 -07 "Guideline for the Hygienic Operation of Ventilation Systems in small Commercial Kitchens", focuses in more detail than ASI 8.19 on the "hygienic" treatment of supply air. An appropriately detailed ASI (German occupational health and safety guideline) on ventilation in commercial kitchens does not exist to date.
We provide testing services to determine the filtration performance of aerosol separators, grease and aerosol filtering systems (e.g. UV-C or cold plasma filtration) as well as other innovative techniques for improving air quality. We also determine the flame resistance of aerosol filters (flame transmission testing).
On the following page you can find information on aerosol and grease filtration and aftertreatment systems as well as our areas of expertise with detailed information about the examination of the afore mentioned systems, plus references.
Testing Services
DMT has long-standing expertise in testing aerosol filters for use in commercial kitchens.
Its test laboratory for aerosol filtration testing is equipped with different test rigs for all kind of aerosol separators.
Thanks to the appropriate test rigs, DMT can also perform flame resistance testing in line with the European standard EN 16262 part 6 (former DIN 18869-5), American standard UL1046 and the British standard LPS 1263.
Additionally, DMT can determine the fractional collection efficiency of aerosol separators according to the former directive VDI 2052-1 from 1999.
Tests for assessing the performance of aerosol separators:
- DIN EN 16282-6 (former DIN 18869-5) “Equipment for commercial kitchens — Components for ventilation in commercial kitchens - Part 6: Aerosol separators; Design and safety requirements”.
Beneath the technical requirements for aerosol separators for commercial kitchens the Flame Resistance Test (grease free) is main part of this standard. - UL 1046 (Ed. 4, 2010) “Standard for Grease Filters for Exhaust Ducts”.
This standard describes the procedure to examine the flame resistance of grease-laden aerosol separators. - VDI 2052-1:1999-09 (withdrawn)
This VDI directive is still the only standard in which the determination of the fractional capture efficiency of aerosol separators is described.
A fundamental criterion for the quality of an aerosol separator is the separation efficiency E(dp) as a function of particle size dp, also designated as fractional separation efficiency, which is determined by this procedure. - Loss Prevention Standard LPS 1263 (BRE Global Ltd.) “Requirements for the LPCB approval and listing of the fire performance of grease filters used in commercial kitchen extract systems”.
This standard covers the test procedures for grease filters intended for the reduction of flammable and volatile grease droplets from the cooking exhausts of commercial cooking equipment. It describes the aerosol separator performance examination, classification and certification procedure. - EN 16282-8 (former DIN 18869-7) “Equipment for commercial kitchens — Components for ventilation in commercial kitchens - Part 8: Installations for treatment of aerosol; Requirements and testing”.
Testing of installations for after-treatment of cooking fumes by kitchen exhaust air cleaning systems (for example through UV-C, cold plasma and comparable air cleaning methods).
Additional testing services:
- Examination of the odour reduction efficiency of kitchen air cleaner (by using a test panel according standard DIN EN 13725:2003-07 “Air quality - Determination of odour concentration by dynamic olfactometry”)
- Determination of the integral efficiency of an aerosol separator by gravimetric measurement
- Sound power level measurement for aerosol separator
- Developmental and reliability tests for product optimisation (aerosol separator aerosol separator or air cleaner)
- Determining the efficiency of separators for cooling lubricants and other liquid aerosol
Contact
Johannes Schamberg
Tel +49 201 172-1304
Fax +49 201 172-1606
PLQ(at)dmt-group.com