What Are Duct Access Doors, and What Do You Need to Know About Them

 

  


Stale air is an enemy of many enclosed structures. It is a significant health hazard that will impact your occupant's well-being and quality of life. Because of its danger, many owners set a substantial budget to invest in excellent quality HVAC systems and other components.  

  

  

The HVAC and other related systems need maintenance due to their crucial function in your building. These procedures will involve a form of access to these sites so personnel can do their tasks efficiently and safely. Duct access doors and panels are the best installations if you need such entry points.  

   

  

Many do not know the importance of these installations and how they impact the building's state. However, once you understand them, you can use the information to make better decisions for your setting. Aside from working alongside an expert with years of experience, here are things you must know about duct access doors.  

  

  

What Are Duct Access Doors?  

  

  

The intended design of these doors is for accessing the ductwork system. Before, when personnel did their maintenance tasks, sometimes they needed to cut open a part of the surface to access the components or the area behind it. This process is intrusive and could lead to other possible damage. Utilizing duct access doors prevents that scenario.  

   

  

How They Work and Where You Can Find Them  

  

  

You can find duct access doors typically in buildings that deal with smoke, heat, and other particulates. Though facilities with kitchens often utilize these installations, commercial kitchens are where it is necessary to install these doors and where you can typically find them.  

  

  

Grease exhaust emissions vary considerably in commercial kitchens. Grease emission from grills, wok frying, solid fuel cooking, and high-volume fryer activities is higher. Even low-volume cooking activities will eventually accumulate fats, grease, oil, and grime on exhaust duct surfaces as time passes.  

  

  

When paired with other grease deposits, highly combustible creosote accumulation from solid-fuel cooking can make a hazardous condition. According to the NFPA, the mixture of grease and creosote in the exhaust ducts can be simpler to spark than creosote alone and is even hotter.  

  

  

Grease Build Up in the Exhaust Ducts  

  

  

A lot of grease will collect on the hood and grease filter. Grease accumulation in your exhaust ducts is exceptionally combustible, posing a significant fire hazard. According to an account, three inches of grease can readily form along the bottom of a horizontal length of ductwork if it doesn't undergo regular cleaning.  

  

  

The flammable grease buildup in your duct can spark if a flare-up produces tremendous flames or excessive heat. Most restaurant incidents start with a cooking device and spread to the duct system according to the NFPA. They travel fast and frequently fail to generate significant heat to trigger a fire suppression system.  

  

  

The rapid spread of grease fires throughout the entire system can compromise the surrounding portions of the structure, such as floors and the roof. Radiant heat from these fires can quickly burn at 1,500°F or higher in minutes, igniting combustible items, even those outside the duct. These incidents are difficult to prevent once they develop, and it's challenging to locate and extinguish. They can also reignite and break out if not correctly killed.  

  

  

The easiest method to handle a grease duct fire is to put it out before it begins and prepare for it if one occurs. You may achieve it by cleaning grease and oil from your exhaust ducts. Duct access doors are essential in protecting your business kitchen from fire threats.  

  

  

Requirements to Install Duct Access Doors  

  

  

Depending on your location, there are various buildings and grease duct access doors code or regulations. Modern governing bodies and authorities enforce the installation of duct access doors as a requirement in commercial kitchen exhaust systems. Having the proper equipment will considerably lessen your chances of a grease fire but consider that your duct access doors must fulfill the minimum criteria.  

  

  

All vertical and horizontal ducts must have access. It must have at minimum one 20-inch by 20-inch hole on horizontal ducts. If a larger entrance is not possible, there must be 12-foot spacing provided with enough openings to allow complete cleaning. The material of these doors must be the same as the duct and with the same thickness. All duct access doors should have a grease-tight gasket or seal certified to a minimum of 1,500°F. Stainless steel or carbon steel bolts that do not penetrate the duct wall must secure the panels.  

  

  

The Bottom Line  

  

  

Preventive maintenance is a crucial aspect of protecting your investment. Opening yourself to various risks will lead you to pay substantially more than preventing the issue. Do yourself a favor and plan for countermeasures before these problems happen.  

  

  

Since duct access doors are essential for maintaining your ductwork system, you'll need high-quality ones that could match your requirements. You can find them and other related products by visiting Best Access Doors. For more information and unique specifications for your setting, call (800) 483-0823. 

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