An exhaust fan for a commercial kitchen is not a luxury — it is the backbone of a safe, legal, and productive food business in India. Whether you are setting up a cloud kitchen in Bengaluru, a biryani restaurant in Hyderabad, or a hotel banquet kitchen in Delhi, your ventilation system determines everything from staff comfort and fire safety to FSSAI licence approval and pollution NOC clearance. Yet most food business owners in India underbudget ventilation, treat it as an afterthought, and end up with kitchens that overheat, accumulate grease, and fail inspections.
This 2026 guide covers the full commercial kitchen ventilation ecosystem: exhaust hoods (wall-mount, island, proximity), exhaust fans (centrifugal, axial, inline), ductwork design, make-up air systems, grease traps, fire suppression integration, HVAC coordination, CFM calculations, pollution NOC requirements, price tables, top brands, installation best practices, and a maintenance schedule that keeps your system safe and compliant. Every price and specification reflects the current Indian market — not Western benchmarks that do not apply here.
If you are looking only for exhaust hood types and sizing, see our focused commercial exhaust hood guide. This article takes a broader view — the complete ventilation system from intake to exhaust discharge, including the grease management and regulatory components most guides ignore.
Quick Reference: Exhaust & Ventilation System Costs India 2026
| Component | Small Kitchen (200–500 sq ft) | Medium Kitchen (500–1,500 sq ft) | Large Kitchen (1,500–3,000+ sq ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exhaust Hood (SS 304) | ₹18,000 – ₹50,000 | ₹50,000 – ₹1,50,000 | ₹1,50,000 – ₹4,00,000+ |
| Exhaust Fan (centrifugal) | ₹8,000 – ₹20,000 | ₹20,000 – ₹55,000 | ₹55,000 – ₹1,50,000 |
| Ductwork (GI/SS) | ₹10,000 – ₹30,000 | ₹30,000 – ₹80,000 | ₹80,000 – ₹2,50,000 |
| Make-Up Air System | ₹15,000 – ₹40,000 | ₹40,000 – ₹1,20,000 | ₹1,20,000 – ₹3,50,000 |
| Grease Trap (under-sink/floor) | ₹8,000 – ₹20,000 | ₹20,000 – ₹55,000 | ₹55,000 – ₹1,50,000 |
| Fire Suppression System | ₹80,000 – ₹1,50,000 | ₹1,20,000 – ₹2,50,000 | ₹2,00,000 – ₹5,00,000+ |
| Installation (complete system) | ₹25,000 – ₹70,000 | ₹70,000 – ₹2,00,000 | ₹2,00,000 – ₹6,00,000+ |
| Total System Cost | ₹1,64,000 – ₹3,80,000 | ₹3,50,000 – ₹8,10,000 | ₹7,60,000 – ₹20,00,000+ |
These are 2026 all-inclusive estimates covering supply and installation. Actual costs vary by city (metro cities cost 15–25% more than Tier-2), building complexity (basement kitchens cost 30–50% more due to longer duct runs), and equipment intensity (tandoor and deep fryer lines need heavier ventilation than steamer or bain-marie stations).
1. Why Commercial Kitchen Ventilation Is Non-Negotiable in India
Walk into any busy restaurant kitchen in India without proper ventilation and the problems are immediately obvious: grease-coated walls and ceilings, staff drenched in sweat, cooking smoke drifting into the dining area, and a persistent fire hazard building inside neglected ductwork. These are not cosmetic issues — they are safety, legal, and business risks.
Legal Requirements
- FSSAI licensing (mandatory for all food businesses) requires demonstration of adequate ventilation as a basic hygiene condition. Inspectors physically verify functional exhaust systems during licence inspections and renewals. No working exhaust system means no licence — or licence suspension at renewal.
- Fire NOC from local fire departments mandates kitchen exhaust systems meeting National Building Code (NBC) 2016 standards. For kitchens with deep fryers, tandoors, or solid-fuel equipment, integrated fire suppression is required. Without a fire NOC, you cannot legally operate a commercial establishment in most Indian cities.
- Pollution NOC from State Pollution Control Boards is increasingly enforced for commercial kitchens in metros. Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai now require kitchens above certain sizes to demonstrate exhaust treatment (electrostatic precipitators or scrubbers) before discharge. Non-compliance can result in closure orders.
- Municipal trade licences in major cities require proof of functional kitchen ventilation as a condition of issuance.
- Insurance policies for commercial kitchen fire and liability coverage often require compliant exhaust and fire suppression systems. A claim on a kitchen fire may be denied if your ventilation system was non-compliant.
Operational Impact
Beyond compliance, proper ventilation transforms kitchen operations. Cooking line temperatures drop by 5–10 degrees Celsius with good exhaust, reducing staff fatigue and heat-related illness during Indian summers. Grease deposition on surfaces drops by 80–90%, cutting cleaning time and extending equipment life. And a well-maintained ventilation system is the single most effective fire prevention measure in any commercial kitchen — grease-laden ductwork is the number one cause of commercial kitchen fires in India.
2. Exhaust Hood Types for Indian Commercial Kitchens
The exhaust hood is the visible centrepiece of your ventilation system — the canopy that captures smoke, steam, grease vapour, and heat rising from cooking equipment. Choosing the right hood type depends on your kitchen layout, equipment placement, and cooking intensity.
Wall-Mount Canopy Hood
The most common exhaust hood in Indian commercial kitchens. It mounts against a wall with the cooking equipment positioned below. One side (the wall) provides a natural capture boundary, making wall-mount hoods 20–30% more efficient per unit of airflow than island hoods covering the same equipment. Wall-mount hoods suit tandoor stations, gas ranges, woks, fryers, and griddles placed against walls — which describes the majority of Indian restaurant kitchens.
Sizing rule: The hood must overhang cooking equipment by at least 150 mm (6 inches) on all open sides. For high-heat equipment like tandoors, increase to 300 mm. Price range: ₹18,000–₹80,000 for a 1.2 m to 3 m wide hood in SS 304.
Island (Ceiling-Mounted) Canopy Hood
Suspended from the ceiling over a central cooking island. Open on all four sides, so it requires 20–30% more CFM than a wall-mount hood for the same equipment. Island hoods are the right choice when your kitchen layout places equipment in the centre — common in open-plan kitchens, modern cloud kitchens, and show-kitchen concepts. They cost more (₹45,000–₹1,80,000), need structural ceiling support, and require longer duct runs. But for central-island layouts, they are the only effective option.
Low-Profile Proximity Hood
Positioned close to equipment rather than high above it. Best for steam-producing equipment: commercial dishwashers, combi-steamers, bain-maries. Proximity hoods use significantly less airflow because they capture contaminants before the plume rises and disperses. Not appropriate for fryers, tandoors, or open-flame cooking. Price range: ₹15,000–₹45,000.
Backshelf Hood
A compact hood positioned at the back of a cooking line rather than overhead. Suitable for light-duty cooking in cafes and small QSRs. Low airflow requirement keeps energy costs down, but backshelf hoods are inadequate for heavy grease-producing equipment. Price range: ₹12,000–₹35,000.
Make-Up Air (MUA) Integrated Hood
In sealed commercial spaces — basement restaurants, fully air-conditioned kitchens, cloud kitchens in office buildings — a standard exhaust hood removes more air than can naturally infiltrate. The result: negative pressure, doors difficult to open, hood capture efficiency drops, and HVAC systems strain. An MUA-integrated hood supplies tempered fresh air directly into the hood plenum as exhaust air is removed, maintaining pressure balance. Essential in any enclosed Indian kitchen where natural air replacement is insufficient. Price range: ₹85,000–₹3,00,000.
Hood with Integrated Fire Suppression
Any hood over deep fryers, tandoors, or solid-fuel equipment should include an integrated wet chemical fire suppression system (ANSUL-type). The system automatically detects fire via fusible links and discharges wet chemical agent onto the cooking surface and into the duct. Required by fire departments for Fire NOC in most Indian cities. Price range: ₹1,20,000–₹3,00,000+ installed.
3. Exhaust Fan Types & Selection for Commercial Kitchens
The exhaust fan is the engine of your ventilation system — it creates the airflow that pulls cooking effluent through the hood, into the ductwork, and out of the building. Choosing the right fan type, capacity, and placement is as important as choosing the right hood.
Centrifugal (Belt-Drive or Direct-Drive) Exhaust Fans
The standard for commercial kitchen exhaust in India. Centrifugal fans produce high static pressure, which is essential for overcoming resistance in ductwork — especially in kitchens with long duct runs, multiple bends, or rooftop discharge. Belt-drive models allow speed adjustment (by changing pulley ratios) and are easier to maintain. Direct-drive models are quieter and more compact but offer less flexibility. For most Indian commercial kitchens, a belt-drive centrifugal fan rated for grease-laden air is the correct choice.
Axial Fans
Move large volumes of air at low static pressure. Axial fans are suitable only for short, straight duct runs (under 3 metres) with minimal resistance — wall-mount units that exhaust directly through an adjacent wall, for instance. They are cheaper (₹4,000–₹15,000) but inadequate for most commercial kitchen installations where duct runs are longer and bends are unavoidable. Do not use axial fans for kitchens with rooftop exhaust discharge.
Inline Duct Fans
Installed within the ductwork rather than at the terminal point. Inline fans are used as booster fans in long duct runs or as the primary fan in small installations with very short runs. They save space compared to external centrifugal units but are harder to service (you need to access the duct interior). Useful in cloud kitchens and small QSRs with space constraints.
Exhaust Fan Price Table India 2026
| Fan Type | Capacity | Price Range (INR) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axial (wall-mount) | 500 – 2,000 m³/hr | ₹4,000 – ₹15,000 | Very small kitchens, direct wall exhaust |
| Inline duct fan | 1,000 – 4,000 m³/hr | ₹8,000 – ₹25,000 | Cloud kitchens, short duct runs |
| Centrifugal (belt-drive) | 2,000 – 5,000 m³/hr | ₹15,000 – ₹35,000 | Small to medium restaurants |
| Centrifugal (belt-drive) | 5,000 – 10,000 m³/hr | ₹30,000 – ₹65,000 | Medium to large restaurants |
| Centrifugal (belt-drive) | 10,000 – 20,000 m³/hr | ₹55,000 – ₹1,30,000 | Large restaurants, hotels, banquets |
| Centrifugal (direct-drive) | 2,000 – 8,000 m³/hr | ₹20,000 – ₹55,000 | Noise-sensitive installations |
| DIDW (double inlet, double width) | 10,000 – 30,000+ m³/hr | ₹80,000 – ₹2,00,000+ | Hotel banquet kitchens, large industrial kitchens |
Key specification: Always specify a grease-rated exhaust fan — one designed to handle grease-laden air without bearing failure. Standard ventilation fans will fail within months in a commercial kitchen environment. Look for fans with sealed bearings, grease-resistant coatings, and UL 762 or equivalent rating.
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4. CFM Calculation for Indian Commercial Kitchens
CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) is the standard measure of exhaust airflow. Getting this calculation right is the foundation of an effective ventilation system. Too little CFM and the hood fails to capture cooking effluent — smoke escapes, grease deposits on walls, and the kitchen overheats. Too much CFM wastes electricity, creates uncomfortable draughts, and can over-pressurise the kitchen if make-up air is not balanced.
The Standard Formula
The most widely used method in India, aligned with NBC 2016 and ASHRAE Standard 154:
CFM = Hood Length (feet) x CFM per Linear Foot
| Equipment Category | CFM/ft (Wall-Mount Hood) | CFM/ft (Island Hood) | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light duty | 150 – 200 | 200 – 250 | Steamers, bain-marie, pasta cooker |
| Medium duty | 200 – 300 | 275 – 375 | Gas range, griddle, convection oven |
| Heavy duty | 300 – 400 | 400 – 500 | Wok, deep fryer, charbroiler |
| Extra-heavy duty | 400 – 550 | 550 – 700 | Tandoor, solid fuel, coal grill |
Worked Example: Medium Restaurant Kitchen
A wall-mount hood over an 8-foot cooking line with 4 gas burners, 1 deep fryer, and 1 griddle (heavy duty category):
- Hood length: 8 ft equipment + 1 ft overhang each side = 10 ft hood
- CFM factor: 350 CFM/ft (mid-range heavy duty)
- Required CFM: 10 ft x 350 = 3,500 CFM
- With 15% safety margin: 3,500 x 1.15 = 4,025 CFM
Convert to SI: 4,025 CFM x 1.699 = 6,838 m³/hr — select a 7,000 m³/hr rated centrifugal fan.
Face Velocity Check
The air velocity at the hood opening should be 0.25–0.5 m/s for most applications. Exceeding 0.5 m/s creates turbulence that can reduce capture efficiency. If face velocity is too high, increase hood size rather than reducing fan speed — a larger hood at moderate velocity always outperforms a smaller hood at high velocity.
5. Ductwork Design & Materials
Ductwork connects the exhaust hood to the exhaust fan and terminates at the discharge point (typically the roof or an external wall). Duct design affects system performance, noise, maintenance cost, and fire safety.
Material Selection
- Galvanised Iron (GI): The standard ductwork material for commercial kitchens in India. GI is cost-effective, readily available, and adequate for most installations. Minimum 22-gauge (0.8 mm) for ducts up to 450 mm diameter; 20-gauge (1.0 mm) for larger ducts. GI ducts must be welded at seams — riveted joints trap grease and are a fire hazard.
- Stainless Steel (SS 304): Used for the first 1–2 metres of duct from the hood (the grease-heaviest section) and for exposed ductwork in open kitchens. More expensive than GI but resists corrosion from grease acids and cleaning chemicals. Required in some high-end hotel specifications.
- Black steel (MS): Used by some contractors as a cheaper alternative. Acceptable for external ductwork but rusts when exposed to grease and moisture. Not recommended for internal ductwork in commercial kitchens.
Duct Design Best Practices
- Keep duct runs as short and straight as possible. Every 90-degree bend adds 5–8 metres of equivalent duct length (resistance), requiring more fan power.
- Maintain a minimum duct velocity of 7.5–10 m/s to prevent grease settling in horizontal runs.
- Slope horizontal duct runs 2–3 degrees back toward the hood for grease drainage.
- Install cleanout access panels every 3 metres and at every bend — mandatory for fire compliance and practical for maintenance.
- Seal all joints with high-temperature sealant. Grease leaks at duct joints are a fire risk and a hygiene violation.
- Terminate exhaust discharge at least 3 metres from any air intake, window, or occupied space. In residential-area restaurants, install the discharge at rooftop height to avoid nuisance complaints.
Ductwork Price Table India 2026
| Duct Material | Diameter/Size | Price per Running Metre (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| GI (22 gauge) | 300–450 mm diameter | ₹800 – ₹1,400 |
| GI (20 gauge) | 450–600 mm diameter | ₹1,200 – ₹2,200 |
| GI (20 gauge) | 600–900 mm diameter | ₹2,000 – ₹3,500 |
| SS 304 (1.0 mm) | 300–450 mm diameter | ₹2,500 – ₹4,000 |
| SS 304 (1.0 mm) | 450–600 mm diameter | ₹3,800 – ₹6,000 |
| Rectangular GI (20 gauge) | Custom sizes | ₹1,500 – ₹4,000 |
6. Make-Up Air (MUA) Systems
Every cubic metre of air your exhaust fan removes must be replaced. If replacement air cannot enter the kitchen naturally (through doors, windows, and building gaps), the kitchen develops negative pressure: doors are hard to open, the exhaust hood loses capture efficiency (air currents disrupt the capture plume), and the HVAC system strains to compensate. In India, this is an especially acute problem in basement kitchens, air-conditioned commercial complexes, and malls.
When Do You Need a Dedicated MUA System?
- Kitchen is in a basement or sealed commercial space with no natural air pathways
- Kitchen is in an air-conditioned building where opening windows is not practical
- Total exhaust CFM exceeds 2,000 and the space has limited natural infiltration
- You notice doors slamming, difficulty opening entry doors, or exhaust hood inefficiency at peak cooking loads
MUA System Options
- Passive MUA: Louvers or transfer grilles in exterior walls or ceilings that allow air to flow in naturally as the exhaust creates negative pressure. Cost: ₹5,000–₹20,000. Suitable for small kitchens with short exhaust runs.
- Powered MUA (fan-driven): A supply fan pushes fresh air into the kitchen, sometimes through a tempered air unit that heats or cools the incoming air. Required for most medium and large kitchens. Cost: ₹40,000–₹2,00,000 depending on capacity.
- Hood-integrated MUA: Fresh air is delivered directly into the hood plenum — the most efficient approach, as the replacement air is delivered exactly where the exhaust air is being removed. Cost: ₹85,000–₹3,00,000 as part of an MUA hood unit.
Rule of thumb: MUA supply should deliver 80–90% of exhaust volume. The remaining 10–20% deficit maintains slight negative pressure in the kitchen — which prevents cooking odours from escaping to the dining area. A perfectly balanced (100%) system or a positive-pressure kitchen pushes cooking smells into the dining room.
7. Grease Trap Systems for Commercial Kitchens in India
A grease trap is a plumbing device that intercepts fats, oils, and grease (FOG) from wastewater before it enters the municipal sewer system. While not strictly part of the exhaust ventilation system, grease traps are a closely related component of commercial kitchen waste management — and they are increasingly mandatory in Indian cities.
Why Grease Traps Are Mandatory
- Municipal regulations: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Pune now require commercial kitchens to install grease traps. The CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) guidelines specify maximum FOG discharge limits for food establishments.
- FSSAI compliance: FSSAI inspectors check for proper wastewater management, including grease interception, during licence audits.
- Sewer blockage prevention: FOG is the leading cause of sewer blockages in commercial areas. Municipalities are actively enforcing grease trap requirements to protect sewer infrastructure.
- Pollution NOC: Your State Pollution Control Board NOC application will require documentation of FOG management measures.
Grease Trap Types & Prices India 2026
| Grease Trap Type | Capacity | Price Range (INR) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under-sink passive trap (SS) | 15–30 litres | ₹6,000 – ₹15,000 | Small cafes, cloud kitchens |
| Floor-mount passive trap (SS) | 50–100 litres | ₹15,000 – ₹35,000 | Small to medium restaurants |
| Large passive trap (SS/concrete) | 200–500 litres | ₹30,000 – ₹80,000 | Medium restaurants, QSR chains |
| Automatic grease recovery unit | 500–2,000+ litres | ₹80,000 – ₹2,50,000 | Large restaurants, hotels, banquets |
| Below-ground interceptor (concrete) | 1,000–5,000+ litres | ₹50,000 – ₹1,50,000 | Large establishments, mandated by municipality |
Grease Trap Sizing
Size your grease trap based on wastewater flow rate, not kitchen size. The standard formula: Flow Rate (litres per minute) x Retention Time (minutes) = Minimum Trap Capacity. For most Indian commercial kitchens, retention time should be 2–4 minutes. A 50-cover restaurant with a 3-compartment sink flowing at 20 LPM needs a minimum 60-litre trap (20 x 3 = 60). Over-sizing by 25% is recommended to account for peak loads.
Maintenance Schedule
Grease traps must be cleaned regularly — weekly for high-volume kitchens (deep fryers, tandoors), fortnightly for moderate volumes. A neglected grease trap overflows, causing sewer backups, pest infestations, and foul odours. Many municipalities now fine commercial kitchens for overflowing or non-functional grease traps. Maintain a cleaning log for FSSAI and municipal inspections.
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8. Fire Suppression Systems for Kitchen Exhaust Hoods
Commercial kitchen fires account for a disproportionate share of fire incidents in Indian commercial buildings, and grease fires in exhaust ductwork are the leading cause. A wet chemical fire suppression system integrated with your exhaust hood is both a legal requirement (for Fire NOC) and a genuine life-safety investment.
How Wet Chemical Fire Suppression Works
The system consists of fusible links mounted in the hood and duct that melt at a pre-set temperature (typically 182 degrees Celsius). When a link melts, it triggers the release of a wet chemical fire suppressant (potassium carbonate or acetate solution) through nozzles aimed at the cooking surface and duct interior. The chemical saponifies burning grease — converting it into a non-combustible soap-like substance — and simultaneously smothers the fire. The system also shuts off fuel supply (gas valve) and exhaust fan automatically.
When Is Fire Suppression Legally Required?
- Any kitchen operating deep fryers (most common requirement)
- Tandoor or solid-fuel cooking equipment
- Charcoal or wood-fired grills
- Kitchens in commercial complexes, malls, or high-rise buildings (typically mandated by fire department regardless of equipment type)
- Any kitchen requiring a Fire NOC (which is most commercial kitchens in urban India)
Fire Suppression System Prices India 2026
| System Coverage | Number of Nozzles | Installed Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Single hood (up to 2.4 m) | 3–5 | ₹80,000 – ₹1,50,000 |
| Single hood (2.4–4 m) | 5–8 | ₹1,20,000 – ₹2,20,000 |
| Dual hood system | 8–14 | ₹2,00,000 – ₹3,50,000 |
| Large multi-hood (hotel/banquet) | 14+ | ₹3,00,000 – ₹5,00,000+ |
Leading brands in India: Ansul (Tyco/Johnson Controls), Lehavot, Amerex, and domestic manufacturers like Ceasefire and Minimax. Always use a licensed installer — the fire department will verify installation certification during NOC inspection.
9. HVAC Coordination & Kitchen Cooling
In India, where kitchen ambient temperatures routinely exceed 40 degrees Celsius in summer, HVAC coordination with the exhaust system is critical. The exhaust system removes hot air — but it also removes the air your HVAC system has cooled. Without coordination, you either overcool the dining area to compensate (wasting electricity) or undercool the kitchen (compromising staff safety and food quality).
Best Practices for HVAC-Ventilation Coordination
- Tempered make-up air: Supply replacement air that is partially cooled (to 28–30 degrees Celsius rather than ambient 40+ degrees Celsius). This reduces the cooling load on the kitchen HVAC without the expense of full air-conditioning the make-up air stream.
- Kitchen-dining pressure management: Keep the kitchen at slight negative pressure (10–15 Pa below dining area) to prevent cooking odours from migrating. This is achieved by exhausting slightly more air than you supply.
- Spot cooling: Position small air-conditioning units or evaporative coolers at specific workstations (prep tables, plating stations) rather than trying to cool the entire kitchen evenly. The cooking line will always be hot — focus cooling where staff stand for extended periods.
- Air curtains: Install air curtains at the kitchen-dining interface to maintain temperature separation without physical doors. Cost: ₹8,000–₹25,000 per unit.
10. Pollution NOC & Regulatory Compliance
Pollution NOC requirements for commercial kitchens have tightened significantly across Indian metros in 2025–2026. The key regulatory bodies are State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), which operate under CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) guidelines.
What the Pollution NOC Requires
- Exhaust treatment: In Delhi (DPCC), Mumbai (MPCB), and several other metros, commercial kitchens above certain sizes must install an Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP) or wet scrubber to treat exhaust air before discharge. This removes grease particles and smoke from the exhaust stream, reducing air pollution.
- Grease trap documentation: Proof that a functional grease trap is installed and regularly maintained.
- Noise limits: Exhaust fans must comply with noise standards (typically 75 dB at 1 metre for industrial zones, 65 dB for commercial zones). Centrifugal fans with acoustic enclosures or attenuators may be needed in noise-sensitive locations.
- Discharge height: Exhaust must discharge at specified heights above building level to ensure adequate dispersion.
Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP) Prices India 2026
| ESP Capacity | Suitable Kitchen Size | Price Range (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| 2,000–4,000 m³/hr | Small restaurants, QSRs | ₹45,000 – ₹90,000 |
| 4,000–8,000 m³/hr | Medium restaurants | ₹80,000 – ₹1,60,000 |
| 8,000–15,000 m³/hr | Large restaurants, hotels | ₹1,40,000 – ₹2,80,000 |
| 15,000–30,000+ m³/hr | Hotel banquets, industrial kitchens | ₹2,50,000 – ₹5,00,000+ |
ESPs require monthly cleaning (wash the collector plates) and annual professional servicing. Neglected ESPs lose 50–70% efficiency within 3–6 months. Factor in ₹5,000–₹15,000 per month for ESP maintenance in your operating budget.
11. Top Exhaust & Ventilation Brands in India 2026
Exhaust Hood & Ductwork Manufacturers
- Kanzler (Delhi/NCR, Pan-India) — Specialist in SS kitchen ventilation systems for hotels and large restaurants; custom fabrication
- Franke (Mumbai, National) — Premium Swiss brand; India distribution for high-end commercial SS kitchen systems
- Halton Group (Bengaluru) — European brand; high-performance MUA integrated systems for large hotel kitchens
- Genco Engineering (Delhi NCR) — Competitive pricing on custom SS hoods and ductwork for food service
- SS Kitchen Systems (Mumbai) — Supply and installation for large commercial kitchen exhaust
Exhaust Fan Brands
- Kruger Ventilation — Premium centrifugal fans; widely used in hotel and institutional kitchens across India
- Nicotra Gebhardt (now Reel Group) — European-grade centrifugal fans with India distribution
- Systemair India — Comprehensive range of inline and centrifugal fans for commercial kitchen exhaust
- S&P (Soler & Palau) — Spanish brand; good mid-range options for restaurant exhaust
- Almonard (Crompton) — Budget-friendly industrial exhaust fans; adequate for small to mid-size kitchens
- Havells / Bajaj — Entry-level commercial exhaust fans; suitable for very small kitchen installations
Grease Trap Brands
- ACO (Germany, India distribution) — Premium grease separators for large commercial kitchens
- EPCO India — SS grease traps manufactured in India; good price-to-quality ratio
- Local SS fabricators — Custom-built SS grease traps from local fabricators in Wazirpur (Delhi), Peenya (Bengaluru), and Bhiwandi (Mumbai) offer the best value for standard sizes
12. Installation Best Practices
A perfectly specified ventilation system can fail if installation is poor. These are the most common installation mistakes we see in Indian commercial kitchens — and how to avoid them.
Common Installation Mistakes
- Undersized ductwork: Contractors sometimes use smaller ducts to save material. Undersized ducts increase air velocity excessively, cause noise, and reduce system lifespan. Insist on duct sizes specified in the ventilation design — do not allow field changes.
- Too many bends: Each 90-degree bend costs you 5–8 metres of equivalent duct length. Poorly routed ducts with multiple bends drastically reduce system performance. Plan duct routes during kitchen design, not after construction.
- No access panels: Ducts without cleanout panels cannot be professionally cleaned. Fire NOC inspectors will flag this. Insist on access panels every 3 metres and at every bend.
- Riveted joints instead of welded: Riveted duct seams trap grease and eventually leak. All grease-carrying ductwork must be continuously welded.
- Fan placed indoors: The exhaust fan should ideally be placed at the building exterior (rooftop or external wall) so that the entire duct run is under negative pressure. An indoor fan means any duct leak between the fan and discharge point pushes contaminated air into the building.
- No make-up air provision: Contractors install the exhaust system without considering air replacement. The result is negative pressure, hood inefficiency, and HVAC problems. Always include MUA in your ventilation design.
- Inadequate hood overhang: The hood must overhang cooking equipment by at least 150 mm on all open sides. A hood that is flush with the equipment edge will not capture cooking effluent effectively.
Installation Timeline
A complete ventilation system installation (hood + ductwork + fan + MUA + grease trap + fire suppression) takes 5–12 days for a medium-size restaurant kitchen. Plan for this in your project timeline — ventilation installation should happen after civil work and plumbing but before final electrical and HVAC commissioning. Coordinate with your general contractor to avoid sequencing conflicts.
13. Maintenance Schedule for Commercial Kitchen Ventilation
A neglected ventilation system is a fire hazard, a health code violation, and an operational liability. Grease-laden ductwork is the leading cause of commercial kitchen fires. Maintain your system on a strict schedule.
Daily
- Wipe hood exterior surfaces with degreasing solution
- Empty grease collection troughs/cups if more than half full
- Check that exhaust fan is running normally (no unusual noise or vibration)
- Verify fire suppression fusible links are in place
- Clean grease trap strainer basket
Weekly
- Remove and soak grease filters in hot water with commercial degreaser (minimum 20 minutes), scrub, rinse, and reinstall
- Clean hood interior surfaces and grease baffles
- Inspect first metre of duct at hood connection for grease build-up
- Check exhaust fan motor for noise or vibration; inspect belt tension on belt-drive fans
- Pump grease trap (for high-volume kitchens)
Monthly
- Inspect duct run via access panels for grease accumulation
- Check hood suspension bolts and ceiling mounts
- Test fire suppression manual pull station
- Clean ESP collector plates (if installed)
- Pump grease trap (for moderate-volume kitchens)
- Log inspection in maintenance record
Quarterly
- Professional high-pressure duct cleaning for heavy-grease equipment (fryers, tandoors)
- Fan wheel and housing cleaning by qualified technician
- Fire suppression visual inspection by certified technician
- MUA filter replacement
Annually
- Complete duct cleaning with post-clean inspection report (required for Fire NOC renewal)
- Fire suppression full service (agent level check, nozzle inspection, control system test)
- Fan motor service (bearing lubrication, belt replacement)
- Hood structural inspection (welds, mounts, corrosion)
- ESP professional deep clean and calibration
- Update maintenance log for regulatory documentation
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14. Ventilation Budgeting by Kitchen Type
Use these benchmarks to allocate your ventilation budget as a percentage of total kitchen setup cost:
| Kitchen Type | Total Setup Cost Range | Ventilation Share | Ventilation Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud Kitchen | ₹5–10 lakh | 12–18% | ₹60,000 – ₹1,80,000 |
| Small Restaurant | ₹10–20 lakh | 10–15% | ₹1,00,000 – ₹3,00,000 |
| Medium Restaurant | ₹20–35 lakh | 10–14% | ₹2,00,000 – ₹4,90,000 |
| Large Restaurant / Hotel Kitchen | ₹35–50+ lakh | 12–18% | ₹4,20,000 – ₹9,00,000+ |
| Banquet / Catering Unit | ₹25–50+ lakh | 14–20% | ₹3,50,000 – ₹10,00,000+ |
Do not underbudget ventilation. Cutting corners on exhaust and ventilation is the most expensive mistake you can make in a commercial kitchen — it leads to fire risk, regulatory non-compliance, staff turnover, and expensive retrofitting. Budget it properly from day one.
For a complete cost breakdown of all kitchen infrastructure, see our commercial kitchen setup cost guide.
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