Comparative Matrix: A Comparison of The NFPA 96 and ICC Standards and Codes With Regard To Commercial Kitchen Systems
Comparative Matrix: A Comparison of The NFPA 96 and ICC Standards and Codes With Regard To Commercial Kitchen Systems
Comparative Matrix: A Comparison of The NFPA 96 and ICC Standards and Codes With Regard To Commercial Kitchen Systems
NFPA Disclaimer
Portions of this document are reprinted with permission from NFPA 96 -- 2008, Ventilation Control and Fire
Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations, copyright © 2008, NFPA. This reprinted material is not the
complete and official position of the NFPA on the referenced subject, which represented solely by the
standard in its entirety.
ICC Disclaimer
Portions of this seminar/publication reproduce sections of the 2006 International Mechanical Code,
International Code Council, Inc Washington, D.C. Reproduced with permission. All rights reserved.
Acknowledgement
We want to express our appreciation for this document to Scott Stookey of ICC, Steve Bradbury, Rory Wilson, Jim Roberts, Brian Ringwelski,
George Zawacki, Kathy and Doug Bell and others.
First Edition Issues -- If you notice any typographical error, please communicate them to the author.
For more information on Commercial Kitchen Systems
Contact Phil Ackland 250-494-1361 phil@philackland.com or our website www.philackland.com
Administration NFPA 96, Chapter 1.1.1*: (Para) This standard provides only the 506.1 General. Commercial kitchen hood ventilation ducts and
minimum fire safety requirements exhaust equipment shall comply with the requirements of this section.
Commercial kitchen grease ducts shall be designed for the type of
cooking appliance and hood served.
IFC [M] 610.1 General. Commercial kitchen exhaust hoods shall
comply with the requirements of the International Mechanical Code.
IFC [M] 610.2 Where required. A Type I hood shall be installed at
or above all commercial cooking appliances and domestic cooking
appliances used for commercial purposes that produce grease vapors.
Administration NFPA 96, Chapter 1.2: (Para) The purpose of this standard shall be to 509.1 Where required. – Commercial cooking appliances required by
reduce the potential fire hazard of cooking operations Section 507.2.1 to have a Type I hood shall be provided with an
approved automatic fire suppression system complying with the
International Building Code and the International Fire Code.
Administration 102.1 Scope - This code shall regulate the design, installation,
maintenance, alteration and inspection of mechanical systems that are
permanently installed and utilized to provide control of environmental
conditions and related processes within buildings. This code shall also
regulate those mechanical systems, system components, equipment
and appliances specifically addressed herein. The installation of fuel
gas distribution piping and equipment, fuel gas-fired appliances and
fuel gas-fired appliance venting systems shall be regulated by the
International Fuel Gas Code.
Administration NFPA 96, Chapter 1.3.2: (Para) The authority having jurisdiction 104.1 General. The code official shall enforce the provisions of this
determines compliance and equivalence. code and shall act on any question relative to the installation,
alteration, repair, maintenance or operation of mechanical systems,
except as otherwise specifically provided for by statutory requirements
or as provided for in Sections 104.2 through 104.8.
Retroactivity NFPA 96, Chapter 1.4 Retroactivity. This standard reflects a consensus No equivalent section in the IMC
of acceptable degrees of protection.
Retroactivity NFPA 96, Chapter 1.4.2: In cases of unacceptable risk, the authority 102.2 Existing installations. Except as otherwise provided for in this
having jurisdiction shall be permitted to apply the #96 retroactively chapter, a provision in this code shall not require the removal,
alteration or abandonment of, nor prevent the continued utilization and
maintenance of, a mechanical system lawfully in existence at the time
of the adoption of this code.
Equivalency NFPA 96, Chapter 1.5 Equivalency. This standard does not limit the 105.2 Alternative materials, methods, equipment and appliances.
use of other methods or devices that satisfy the AHJ.. The provisions of this code are not intended to prevent the installation
of any material or to prohibit any method of construction not
specifically prescribed by this code, provided that any such alternative
has been approved. An alternative material or method of construction
shall be approved where the code official finds that the proposed
design is satisfactory and complies with the intent of the provisions of
this code, and that the material, method or work offered is, for the
purpose intended, at least the equivalent of that prescribed in this code
in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability and safety.
Field Constructed NFPA 96, Chapter 4.2.3.1: Where a clearance reduction system 308.2 Listed appliances and equipment. The reduction of the
Clearances consisting of 0.33 min (0.013 in.) (28-gauge) sheet metal spaced out 25 required clearances to combustibles for listed and labeled appliances
mm (1 in.) on noncombustible spacers is provided, there shall be a and equipment shall be in accordance with the requirements of this
minimum of 229 mm (9 in.) clearance to combustible material. section except that such clearances shall not be reduced where
reduction is specifically prohibited by the terms of the appliance or
equipment listing.
Hood Clearances
Reductions
Zero Clearance NFPA 96, Chapter 4.2.3.3: Zero clearance to limited-combustible 308.2 Listed appliances and equipment. The reduction of the
materials shall be permitted where protected by metal lath and plaster, required clearances to combustibles for listed and labeled appliances
ceramic tile, quarry tile, other noncombustible materials or assembly of and equipment shall be in accordance with the requirements of this
noncombustible materials, or materials and products that are listed for section except that such clearances shall not be reduced where
the purpose of reducing clearance. reduction is specifically prohibited by the terms of the appliance or
equipment listing.
Access In Enclosures NFPA 96, Chapter 7.7.4.2: Fire doors shall be installed in accordance 506.3.8 Grease duct cleanouts and other openings.
(Fire Doors) with NFPA 80, Standard for Fire Doors and Fire Windows. Grease duct systems shall not have openings therein other than those
required for proper operation and maintenance of the system. Any
portion of such system having sections not provided with access from
the duct entry or discharge shall be provided with cleanout openings.
Cleanout openings shall be equipped with tight-fitting doors
constructed of steel having a thickness not less than that required for
the duct. Doors shall be equipped with a substantial method of
latching, sufficient to hold the door tightly closed. Doors shall be
designed so that they are operable without the use of a tool. Door
assemblies, including any frames and gasketing, shall be approved for
the purpose, and shall not have fasteners that penetrate the duct. Listed
and labeled access door assemblies shall be installed in accordance
with the terms of the listing.
Appliance Location NFPA 96, Chapter 12.1.2.2: Cooking appliances requiring protection No equivalent language exists in the IMC or IFC.
shall not be moved, modified, or rearranged without prior reevaluation
Appliance of the fire-extinguishing system by the system installer or servicing
Modifications agent, unless other-wise allowed by the design of the fire-extinguishing
system.
Maintenance of 11.5 Cooking Equipment Maintenance. 102.3 Maintenance. Mechanical systems, both existing and new, and
Appliances parts thereof shall be maintained in proper operating condition in
11.5.1 An inspection and servicing of the cooking equipment shall be
NO SLIDE accordance with the original design and in a safe and sanitary
made at least annually by properly trained, qualified persons.
condition. Devices or safeguards which are required by this code shall
11.5.2 Cooking equipment that collects grease below the surface, be maintained in compliance with the code edition under which they
behind the equipment, or in cooking equipment flue gas exhaust, such were installed. The owner or the owner’s designated agent shall be
as griddles or charbroilers, shall be inspected and, if found with grease responsible for maintenance of mechanical systems. To determine
accumulation, cleaned by a properly trained, qualified, and certified compliance with this provision, the code official shall have the
person acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction. authority to require a mechanical system to be reinspected.
Open Fryers NFPA 96, Chapter 12.1.2.4: All deep fat fryers shall be installed with IMC makes no allowance for separation of flames to fryers.
at least a 406-mm (16-in.) space between the fryer and surface flames
from adjacent cooking equipment.
Salamander and NFPA 96, Chapter 6.2.2.3: The baffle plate shall be sized and located No equivalent language exists in the IMC or IFC.
Upright Broilers so that flames or combustion gases shall travel a distance not less than
457.2 mm (18 in.) from the heat source to the grease removal device.
Primary Filtration
Filters - Not Needed? NFPA 96, Chapter 14.1 Venting Application. Venting requirements of 506.3.5 Separation of grease duct system. – A separate grease duct
solid fuel cooking operations shall be determined in accordance with system shall be provided for each Type I hood. A separate grease duct
Venting Application 14.1.1 through 14.1.7. (Also see 14.3.3) system is not required where all of the following conditions are met:
4.The grease duct system does not serve solid fuel-fired appliances.
Storage NFPA 96, Chapter 14.9.2.8: All fuel storage areas shall be provided No equivalent language exists in the IMC or IFC.
with a sprinkler system meeting the requirements of NFPA 13,
Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, and acceptable to
the authority having jurisdiction.
Storage NFPA 96, Chapter 14.9.2 Solid Fuel Storage. IFC 315.1 General. Storage, use and handling of miscellaneous
combustible materials shall be in accordance with this section. A
permit shall be obtained in accordance with Section 105.6.
IFC 315.2 Storage in buildings. Storage of combustible materials in
buildings shall be orderly. Storage shall be separated from heaters or
heating devices by distance or shielding so that ignition cannot occur.
IFC 315.2.1 Ceiling clearance. Storage shall be maintained 2 feet
(610 mm) or more below the ceiling in nonsprinklered areas of
buildings or a minimum of 18 inches (457 mm) below sprinkler head
deflectors in sprinklered areas of buildings.
IFC 315.2.2 Means of egress. Combustible materials shall not be
stored in exits or exit enclosures.
IFC 315.2.3 Equipment rooms. Combustible material shall not be
stored in boiler rooms, mechanical rooms or electrical equipment
rooms.
IFC 315.2.4 Attic, under-floor and concealed spaces. Attic, under-
floor and concealed spaces used for storage of combustible materials
shall be protected on the storage side as required for 1-hour fire-
resistance-rated construction. Openings shall be protected by
assemblies that are self-closing and are of noncombustible construction
or solid wood core not less than 1.75 inches (44.5 mm) in thickness.
Storage shall not be placed on exposed joists.
Exceptions:
1. Areas protected by approved automatic sprinkler systems.
2. Group R-3 and Group U occupancies.
Construction NFPA 96, Chapter 5.1.1: The hood or that portion of a primary 507.4 Type I materials. – Type I hoods shall be constructed of steel not
Requirements – collection means designed for collecting cooking vapors and residues less than 0.043 inch (1.09mm)(No.18MSG) I thickness, or stainless
Thickness shall be constructed of and be supported by steel not less than 1.09 mm steel not less than 0.037 inch (0.94mm)(No.20MSG) in thickness.
(0.043 in.) (No. 18 MSG) in thickness, stainless steel not less than 0.94
507.6 Supports. – Type I hoods shall be secured in place by
mm (0.037 in.) (No. 20 MSG) in thickness, or other approved material
noncombustible supports. All Type I and Type II hood supports shall
of equivalent strength and fire and corrosion resistance.
be adequate for the applied load of the hood, the unsupported
ductwork, the effluent loading, and the possible weight of personnel
working in or on the hood.
Construction NFPA 96, Chapter 5.1.2: All seams, in the hood shall be liquidtight 506.3.2 Joints, seams and penetrations of grease ducts. – Joints, seams
Requirements - continuous external weld. and penetrations of grease ducts shall be made with a continuous
External Welds liquid-tight weld or brazed made on the external surface of the duct
system.
Construction
Requirements - Non-
Compliant Penetrations
Previous Penetrations
Electrical Equipment NFPA 96, Chapter 9.2.1: Wiring systems of any type shall not be 301.7 Electrical. Electrical wiring, controls and connections to
installed in ducts. equipment and appliances regulated by this code shall be in accordance
with the ICC Electrical Code Administrative Provisions.
Fan Access NFPA 96, Chapter A.7.8.2.2: Both types of fan terminations should be 506.3.12 Exhaust outlets serving Type I hoods. – Exhaust outlets for
accessible as follows: grease ducts serving Type I hoods shall conform to the requirements of
(1) Rooftop Terminations. All roof exhaust fans (whether through the Sections 506.3.12.1 through 506.3.12.3.
roof or to the roof from outside) should have ready access to all sides
506.3.12.1 Termination above the roof. – Exhaust outlets that
from a flat roof surface without a ladder, or they should be provided
terminate above the roof shall have the discharge opening located not
with safe access via built-in stairs or walkway or a portable ladder to a
less than 40 inches (1016mm) above the roof surface.
flat work surface on all sides of the fan (see 7.8.2).
(2) Wall Terminations. All through-the-wall exhaust fans should have 506.3.12.2 Termination through an exterior wall. – Exhaust outlets
ready access from the ground from no more than a 2-m (6-ft) shall be permitted to terminate through exterior walls where the
stepladder or should be provided with a flat work surface under the fan smoke, grease, gases, vapors, and odors in the discharge from such
that allows for access to all sides of the fan, accessible from no more terminations do not create a public nuisance or a fire hazard. Such
than a 6.0-m (20-ft) extension ladder (see 7.8.3). terminations shall not be located where protected openings are
required by the International Building Code. Other exterior openings
shall not be located within 3 feet (914mm) of such terminations.
506.3.12.3 Termination location. – Exhaust outlets shall be located not
less than 10 feet (3048mm) horizontally from parts of the same or
contiguous buildings, adjacent property lines and air intake openings
into any building and shall be located not less than 10 feet (3048mm)
above the adjoining grade level.
Exception: Exhaust outlets shall terminate not less than 5 feet
(1524mm) from an adjacent building, adjacent property line and air
intake openings into a building where air from the exhaust outlet
discharges away from such locations.
General Requirements NFPA 96, Chapter 8.1 506.5.1 Exhaust fans. – Exhaust fan housings serving a Type I hood
shall be constructed as required for grease ducts in accordance with
Section 506.3.1.1.
General Requirements - NFPA 96, Chapter 8.2.3.1: A hood exhaust fan(s) shall continue to IFC 904.3.3 System interlocking. Automatic equipment interlocks
Exhaust Fan Operation operate after the extinguishing system has been activated unless fan with fuel shutoffs, ventilation controls, door closers, window shutters,
shutdown is required by a listed component of the ventilation system or conveyor openings, smoke and heat vents, and other features necessary
by the design of the extinguishing system. for proper operation of the fire-extinguishing system shall be provided
as required by the design and installation standard utilized for the
hazard.
Upblast Fans NFPA 96, Chapter 8.1.1.1: Approved upblast fans with motors 506.5.1 Exhaust fans. Exhaust fan housings serving a Type I hood
surrounded by the airstream shall be hinged, supplied with flexible shall be constructed as required for grease ducts in accordance with
weatherproof electrical cable and service hold-open retainers, and Section 506.3.1.1.
listed for this use.
Exception: Fans listed and labeled in accordance with UL762.
506.5.3 Exhaust fan mounting. An upblast fan shall be hinged and
supplied with a flexible weatherproof electrical cable to permit
inspection and cleaning. The ductwork shall extend a minimum of 18
inches (457mm) above the roof surface.
Utility Fans – Access NFPA 96, Chapter 8.1.3.6: Exhaust fans shall have a drain directed to a No equivalent language exists in the IMC or IFC.
readily accessible and visible grease receptacle not to exceed 3.8 L (1
gal).
Downgrading NFPA 96, Chapter 9.3.2: Downgrading other parts of the exhaust 304.2 Conflicts. Where conflicts between this code and the conditions
system due to the installation of these approved devices, whether listed of listing or the manufacturer’s installation instructions occur, the
or not, shall not be allowed. provisions of this code shall apply.
Exception: Where a code provision is less restrictive than the
conditions of the listing of the equipment or appliance or the
manufacturer’s installation instructions, the conditions of the listing
and the manufacturer’s installation instructions shall apply.
Inspecting Exhaust NFPA 96, Table 11.3.1 See Table No equivalent language exists in the IMC or IFC.
Systems
Cleaning Exhaust NFPA 96, Chapter 11.4.1: Upon inspection, if found to be 507.8 Cleaning and grease gutters. – A hood shall be designed to
Systems contaminated with deposits from grease-laden vapors, the entire provide for thorough cleaning of the entire hood. Grease gutters shall
exhaust system shall be cleaned by a properly trained, qualified, and drain to an approved collection receptacle that is fabricated, designed
certified company or person (s) acceptable to the authority having and installed to allow access for cleaning.
jurisdiction in accordance with Chapter 11.3.
Cleaning Exhaust
Systems
Certificate of NFPA 96, Chapter 11.4.13: After cleaning is completed, the vent
Performance cleaning contractor shall place or display within the kitchen area a
label indicating the date cleaned and the name of the servicing
company, and areas not cleaned.
AHJ Notification NFPA 96, Chapter 11.4.14: Where required, certificates of inspection
and cleaning shall be submitted to the authority having jurisdiction.
PAC Certification NFPA 96, Chapter 11.4 Cleaning of Exhaust Systems.
General Requirements NFPA 96, Chapter 10.1.1: Listed fire-extinguishing equipment shall be 509.1 Where required. Commercial cooking appliances required by
provided. Section 507.2.1 to have a Type I hood shall be provided with an
approved automatic fire suppression system complying with the
International Building Code and the International Fire Code.
Simultaneous NFPA 96, Chapter 10.3.1: Fixed pipe extinguishing systems in a single 904.3.2 Actuation. Automatic fire-extinguishing systems shall be
Operation hazard area (see Chapter 3.3 for the definition of single hazard area) automatically actuated and provided with a manual means of actuation
shall be arranged for simultaneous automatic operation upon actuation in accordance with Section 904.11.1.
of any one of the systems.
Simultaneous NFPA 96, Chapter 10.3.2: Simultaneous operation shall not be No equivalent language exists in the IMC or IFC.
Operation required where the fixed pipe extinguishing system is an automatic
sprinkler system.
Single Hazard Area NFPA 96, Chapter 3.3.41: Solvent. A substance (usually liquid) No equivalent language exists in the IMC or IFC.
capable of dissolving or dispersing another substance; a chemical
compound designed and used to convert solidified grease into a liquid
or semi-liquid state in order to facilitate a cleaning operation.
Locations That Require See NFPA 17A, Chapter 5.1.2
Protection
System Annunciation NFPA 96, Chapter 10.6.2: Where a fire alarm signaling system is 904.3.5 Monitoring. Where a building fire alarm system is installed,
serving the occupancy where the extinguishing system is located, the automatic fire-extinguishing systems shall be monitored by the
System Annunciation activation of the automatic fire-extinguishing system shall activate the building fire alarm system in accordance with NFPA 72.
fire alarm signaling system.
Automatic Water NFPA 96, Chapter 10.5.4: An automatic sprinkler system shall not 904.11.1 Manual system operation. A manual actuation device shall
Sprinklers require a manual means of system activation. be located at or near a means of egress from the cooking area a
minimum of 10 feet (3048 mm) and a maximum of 20 feet (6096 mm)
from the kitchen exhaust system. The manual actuation device shall be
installed not more than
48 inches (1200 mm) nor less than 42 inches (1067 mm) above the
floor and shall clearly identify the hazard protected. The manual
actuation shall require a maximum force of 40 pounds (178 N) and a
maximum movement of 14 inches (356 mm) to actuate the fire
suppression system.
Exception: Automatic sprinkler systems shall not be required to be
equipped with manual actuation means.
Portables - Second Line NFPA 96, Chapter 10.2.1: Fire-extinguishing equipment shall include 906.4 Cooking grease fires. Fire extinguishers provided for the
of Defense both automatic fire-extinguishing systems as primary protection and protection of cooking grease fires shall be of an approved type
portable fire extinguishers as secondary backup. compatible with the automatic fire-extinguishing system agent and in
accordance with Section 904.11.5.
Portables NFPA 96, Chapter 10.10.1*: Portable fire extinguishers shall be 906.4 Cooking grease fires. Fire extinguishers provided for the
installed in kitchen cooking areas in accordance with NFPA 10, protection of cooking grease fires shall be of an approved type
Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers, and shall be specifically compatible with the automatic fire-extinguishing system agent and in
listed for such use. accordance with Section 904.11.5.
Detectors - Fusible NFPA 96, Chapter 11.2.5: The year of manufacture and the date of 901.6.2 Records. Records of all system inspections, tests and
Links installation of the fusible links shall be marked on the system maintenance required by the referenced standards shall be maintained
inspection tag. The tag shall be signed or initialed by the installer. on the premises for a minimum of three years and shall be copied to
the fire code official upon request.
Fuel Shutoff NFPA 96, Chapter 10.4.1: Upon activation of fire-extinguishing 904.11.2 System interconnection. The actuation of the fire
system all energy source shall be shut off.. extinguishing system shall automatically shut down the fuel or
How A Fire- electrical power supply to the cooking equipment. The fuel and
Extinguishing System electrical supply reset shall be manual.
Works
Fuel Shutoff NFPA 96, Chapter 10.4.4: Shutoff devices shall require manual reset. 904.11.2 System interconnection. The actuation of the fire
extinguishing system shall automatically shut down the fuel or
electrical power supply to the cooking equipment. The fuel and
electrical supply reset shall be manual.
System Operation NFPA 96, Chapter 11.1.6: Cooking equipment shall not be operated 901.7 Systems out of service. Where a required fire protection system
while its fire-extinguishing system or exhaust system is nonoperational is out of service, the fire department and the fire code official shall be
Appliance Operation or otherwise impaired. notified immediately and, where required by the fire code official, the
building shall either be evacuated or an approved fire watch shall be
provided for all occupants left unprotected by the shut down until the
fire protection system has been returned to service.
Servicing – NFPA 96, Chapter 11.2.8: Certificates of inspection and maintenance 901.6.2 Records. Records of all system inspections, tests and
Documentation shall be forwarded to the authority having jurisdiction. maintenance required by the referenced standards shall be maintained
on the premises for a minimum of three years and shall be copied to
the fire code official upon request.