Download the new free “Inspection Checklist for the Kitchen’s Mechanical Exhaust Fan.”
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According to the Home Inspection Standards of Practice (nachi.org/sop), a home inspector is required to inspect the kitchen’s mechanical exhaust system, which removes air from that room by mechanical means. The following is a checklist for inspecting the operation of the kitchen’s mechanical exhaust system. It’s based upon the 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) Section M1503.
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Check if the unit is installed to recirculate or exhaust outside. The air removed by a mechanical exhaust system (bathroom fan, a clothes dryer, and kitchen exhaust fan), should to terminate outside. The air should not discharge into an attic, soffit, ridge vent, or crawl space.
A possible addition is a test of the makeup air vent system. When one is present at some point in the inspection I will have interior and exterior temperature differentials in preparation for IR on the home. At that point I take a temp of the draw vent opening/grill, make a mental note or write it down, and then turn it on. I’ll let it run for a few minutes and take another reading. It does not take long to see the temp change where it is drawing in outside air. As a further check I’ll turn the vent hood off and take another reading after awhile to see if it returns to interior or near interior ambient temps.
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That’s great inspection procedure info there, @Emmanuel_Scanlan. Seems like you’re into using infrared for all kinds of applications.
Modern homes often feature commercial-style range hoods that can exhaust 600-1,200 cfm or more. Check the manufacturer’s label or documentation for cfm ratings. Any exhaust system over 400 cfm may trigger the “makeup air” provision.
To understand “makeup air” better, scroll down this article Inspection Checklist for the Kitchen Mechanical Exhaust Fan - InterNACHI®
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One more possible addition is to check the make-up air vent for a filter. Easy to see them from floor level.
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You should include the exception when there’s natural ventilation (window) in the kitchen…
Exception: Where installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, and where mechanical or natural ventilation is otherwise provided, listed and labeled ductless range hoods shall not be required to discharge to the outdoors.
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Added. Thank you.
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Also a screen at the vent intake.
It’s in there. They’re called filters.
It’s in there under “Filters.”
Checklist has been updated today with the help of InterNACHI® members.