I recently performed a inspection where I found the kitchen range hood was vented into the attic area. I do know they don’t have to be vented outside and can be re-circulating type, but what about venting into the attic area. I somewhat feel like it would be the same as venting a bathroom vent into the attic area. Any thoughts on this?
Post #3:
M1503.1 General. Range hoods shall discharge to the outdoors through a single-wall duct. The duct serving the hood shall have a smooth interior surface, shall be air tight and shall be equipped with a backdraft damper. Ducts serving range hoods shall not terminate in an attic or crawl space or areas inside the building.
Exception: Where installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation 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.
Range hood exhaust have Never been allowed to terminate in the attic. A whole different animal than bathroom exhaust.
Thanks guys, I looked in the National Home Inspection Manual and it really didn’t say much about it.
major fire hazard…
Definitely not good, I remember some flippers awhile back looking at me like I was crazy for calling this out.
If not, that’s an oversight. I think you knew that it wasn’t right, but didn’t find anything in the manual to back it up. I would encourage you to pay attention to your gut feelings, develop the confidence to analyze a situation, and be prepared to call something out if you think it could be detrimental to the health of the inhabitants or the integrity of a system.
When you think about it, the kitchen exhaust is just as, if not more, dangerous than dryer or bath exhaust because of the grease droplets that can deposit on the inside attic surfaces which can catch fire very easily. I don’t think one should feel the need to find it in a manual before calling it out.
For instance, I have encountered a few ranges where it is easy for un-ignited fuel to exit the cooktop burner because the igniter function did not come into play until the gas valve feeding the burner was turned past the low and high settings. I don’t recall seeing anything specifically about that in my study materials or the Texas SoP, but I see it as a dangerous condition (and my clients agree).
Don’t be afraid to call something out if you thinks it’s not right. Be prepared to explain yourself, sure, but better to err on the side of caution.
Very well said, I have to admit your correct. I was sure it wasn’t correct but couldn’t find anything to back it up. I have learned in the future I will just explain it to the clients and I am sure they will understand.