The restaurant industry is one of the most secure in America — so long as people need food, those who are willing to offer exceptional service and delicious food should have no fear for the longevity of their business. This is the misconception that many in the food service industry make; those that overlook the smallest asset could face trouble in the future from fire damage, unsanitary conditions for customers, or other issues. Restaurant owners must take care to ensure that every element of their dining area, kitchen, and restrooms are clean, safe, and up to code. Here are some reasons why restaurant owners should never overlook the power of proper ventilation in the food service industry.
Restroom Exhaust Fans
Restrooms are not expected to be the cleanest places on earth for obvious reasons related to their intended function. Despite the call of nature, restaurant owners should take the proper steps to ensure that their restroom is anything but an unpleasant place for employees and customers alike. The right restroom exhaust fan can help to remove unpleasant odors from the environment so long as the dimensions are carefully calculated to determine what kind of specifications are needed for an exhaust system; to do this, take the volume of your restroom and divide it by five to determine the minimum size bathroom exhaust fan you will need. Customers are growing increasingly scrutinizing thanks in part to the instant gratification of the internet, this means that even the slightest issue like a noisy fan could be enough to turn a guest off of your restaurant. The actual amount of noise produced by a bathroom exhaust fan is indicated by its sone rating, which ranges from the highest rating of 4 to a barely audible 0.5. Keep in mind that bathrooms that are over eight feet tall could require additional ventilation to effectively reduce odors and provide clean air.
Industrial Exhaust Fans for Freezers
Commercial freezers are essential assets of the food industry as modern freezing and refrigeration helps to keep ingredients fresher for longer, directly influencing pricing for customers. Although a commercial refrigerator or freezer could be a boon to any restaurant, a malfunctioning refrigerator or freezer could prove disastrous. Always ensure that the cooling system of refrigerators and coolers are regularly serviced to avoid costly repairs and a large-scale loss of product. Many restaurant owners may be looking to decrease the operating costs of their freezer units; installing high-efficiency fan motors, especially the electronically commutated (ECM) variety on a small walk-in freezer could save around $200 per year per fan replaced.
Chimney Fans for Restaurants
Since restaurants frequently prepare food on commercial ranges, it makes sense that these ranges ought to have proper ventilation to reduce the impact of smoke and odors on guests. Chimney fans and roof-mounted ventilation fans can help pull these undesirable side-effects of culinary practice up and away; not only is this an convenience but it is in fact a requirement that restaurants have proper hood ventilation. Restaurant owners should consider having their roof and chimney fans regularly inspected and their vents regularly cleaned to avoid a buildup of residue that could potentially pose a serious fire hazard. Replacing outdated systems may not be a terrible idea, considering that new ventilation controls can reduce the cost to operate exhaust systems by as much as 50% and can be installed on both new and existing stovetop hoods with ease. By ensuring that your restaurant has proper ventilation and exhaust systems you can more easily secure a future in one of America’s most competitive industries.