511.1 Exhaust Fans for Commercial Cooking Opera-
California Mechanical Code (Title 24, Part 4) · 2022 edition · updated 2026-09-10 · California
Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.
tions. Exhaust fans shall be installed in accordance with Section 511.1.1 through Section 511.1.6. Exhaust fans shall comply with UL 762 and be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
511.1.1 Upblast Fans. Upblast fans with motors surrounded by the airstream shall be hinged and supplied with flexible weatherproof electrical cable, and service hold-open retainers. Installation shall conform to the requirements of Section 510.9. Upblast fans shall have a drain directed to a readily accessible and visible grease receptacle not to exceed 1 gallon (4 L). [NFPA 96:8.1.2.1
- 8.1.2.3]
EXHAUST SYSTEMS
Notes:
- Fresh air intake (FAI) applies to an air intake, including an operable door or window.
- Example: (a) FAIs 1 and 5 are on the same plane of exhaust or lower: 10 feet (3048
mm) min. between closest edges. (b) FAIs 2, 3, and 4 are above plane of exhaust fan:
10 feet + 0.25 feet (3048 mm + 76 mm) per degree between closest edges.
FIGURE 510.9.2 EXHAUST TERMINATION DISTANCE FROM FRESH AIR INTAKE
(FAI) OR OPERABLE DOOR OR WINDOW
[NFPA 96: FIGURE 7.8.3]
511.1.2 In-Line Exhaust Fans. In-line fans shall be of the type with the motor located outside the airstream and with belts and pulleys protected from the airstream by a greasetight housing. In-line fans shall be connected to the exhaust duct by flanges securely bolted as shown in Figure 511.1.2(1) through Figure 511.1.2(4), or by a system specifically listed for such use. Flexible connectors shall not be used. [NFPA 96:8.1.3.1 – 8.1.3.3]
511.1.2.1 Accessibility. If the design or positioning of the fan allows grease to be trapped, a drain directed to a readily accessible and visible grease receptacle not exceeding 1 gallon (4 L), shall be provided. In-line exhaust fans shall be located in easily accessible areas of adequate size to allow for service or removal. Where the duct system connected to the
2022 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE 107
EXHAUST SYSTEMS
For SI units: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, °C = (°F-32)/1.8
FIGURE 511.1.2(1) TYPICAL SECTION OF DUCT-TO-FAN CONNECTION-BUTT JOINT METHOD
[NFPA 96: FIGURE 8.1.3.2(a)]
FIGURE 511.1.2(2) TYPICAL SECTION OF DUCT-TO-FAN CONNECTION-OVERLAPPING METHOD
[NFPA 96: FIGURE 8.1.3.2(b)]
fan is in an enclosure, the space or room in which the exhaust fan is located shall have the same fire resistance rating as the enclosure. [NFPA 96:8.1.3.4
- 8.1.3.6]
511.1.3 Utility Set Exhaust Fans. Utility set exhaust fans shall be installed in accordance with Section 511.1.3.1 through Section 511.1.3.3. 511.1.3.1 At the Rooftop. Fans installed at the rooftop termination point shall be in accordance with the following: (1) Section 510.9.1 and Section 510.9.1.2.
(2) Vibration isolation connectors shall be permit ted. (3) A drain shall be directed to a readily accessible
and visible grease receptacle not to exceed 1 gallon (4 L). 511.1.3.2 Within the Building. Fans installed within the building shall be in accordance with the following: (1) Located in an accessible area of adequate size to
allow for service or removal. [NFPA 96:8.1.4.2] (2) Flexible connectors shall not be used. [NFPA
96:8.1.4.5]
For SI units: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, °C = (°F-32)/1.8)
FIGURE 511.1.2(3) TYPICAL SECTION OF DUCT-TO-FAN
CONNECTION–SEALANT METHOD
[NFPA 96: FIGURE 8.1.3.2(c)]
FIGURE 511.1.2(4) TYPICAL SECTION OF DUCT-TO-FAN CONNECTION-DIRECT
TO FAN INLET CONE METHOD
[NFPA 96: FIGURE 8.1.3.2(d)]
108 2022 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE
(3) Exhaust fans shall have a drain directed to a
readily accessible and visible grease receptacle not to exceed 1 gallon (4 L). [NFPA 96:8.1.4.6] 511.1.3.3 Duct Systems. Where the duct system connected to the fan is in an enclosure, the space or room in which the exhaust fan is located shall have the same fire resistance rating as the enclosure. The fan shall be connected to the exhaust duct by flanges securely bolted as shown in Figure 511.1.2(1) through Figure 511.1.2(4) or by a system specifically listed for such use. [NFPA 96:8.1.4.3, 8.1.4.4] 511.1.4 Construction. Exhaust fan housings shall be constructed of carbon steel not less than 0.060 inch (1.524 mm) (No. 16 MSG) in thickness, of stainless steel not less than 0.048 of an inch (1.219 mm) (No. 18 MSG) in thickness, or, if listed, in accordance with the terms of the listing. [NFPA 96:8.1.5] 511.1.5 Openings. Openings for cleaning, servicing, and inspection shall conform to the requirements of Section 510.3.2. Clearances shall conform to the requirements of Section 507.4 through 507.4.3.3, or Section 510.7.3 and Section 510.7.4 if installed within an enclosure. [NFPA 96:8.1.6.1, 8.1.6.2] 511.1.6 Standard. All wiring and electrical equipment shall comply with California Electrical Code . [NFPA 96:8.1.7]
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Ask AI about this code▸Contents — California Mechanical Code (Title 24, Part 4)
- Chapter 1 — GENERAL CODE PROVISIONS
- Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 3 — GENERAL REGULATIONS
- Chapter 4 — VENTILATION AIR
▸Chapter 5 — EXHAUST SYSTEMS
Overview- 501.1 Applicability. This chapter includes requirements for
- 502.1 Exhaust Opening Protection. Exhaust openings
- 502.2 Termination of Exhaust Ducts. Exhaust ducts
- 503.1 General. Motors and fans shall be sized to provide
- 503.2 Fans. Parts of fans in contact with explosive or flammab…
- 504.1 General. Where not specified in this chapter, exhaust
- 504.2 Independent Exhaust Systems. Single or combined mechanic…
- 504.3 Domestic Range. Ducts used for domestic kitchen
- 504.4 Clothes Dryers. A clothes dryer exhaust duct shall not
- 504.5 Heat (Energy) Recovery Ventilators. Heat
- 504.6 Gypsum Wallboard Ducts. Bathroom and laundry
- 505.1 General. A mechanical ventilation or exhaust system
- 505.2 Incompatible Materials. Incompatible materials
- 505.3 Flammability Limit. Unless the circumstances stipulated …
- 505.4 Air-Moving Devices. Air-moving devices shall be
- 505.5 Generating Flames, Sparks, or Hot Materials.
- 505.6 Fire Dampers. Fire dampers shall be permitted to be
- 505.7 Fire Detection and Alarm Systems. Unless the
- 505.8 Product-Conveying Ducts Classification. Product-conveyin…
- 505.9 Minimum Velocities and Circulation. The velocity and cir…
- 505.10 Makeup Air. Makeup air shall be provided to replenish a…
- 505.11 Hoods and Enclosures. Hoods and enclosures shall
- 505.12 Pharmacies – Compounding Area of Par-
- 506.1 Materials. Materials used in product-conveying duct
- 506.2 Construction. Ducts used for conveying products
- 506.3 Penetrations. Exhaust ducts shall not pass through
- 506.4 Condensate. Joints in duct construction shall be liquidt…
- 506.5 Fittings. Fittings in Class 2, 3, and 4 systems shall be
- 506.6 Explosion Venting. Ducts conveying explosive dusts
- 506.7 Supports. Supports shall be of noncombustible materials,…
- 506.8 Fire Protection. Sprinklers or other fire-protection
- 506.9 Protection from Physical Damage. Ducts
- 506.10 Duct Clearances. Unless the conditions stipulated
- 506.11 Clearance Reduction Methods. It shall be permitted to p…
- 507.1 Type I Hood Exhaust System. Exhaust systems
- 507.2 Exhaust System. Cooking equipment used in
- 507.3 Listed Devices. Penetrations shall be sealed with
- 507.4 Clearance. Where enclosures are not required, hoods,
- 507.5 Drawings. A drawing(s) of the exhaust system installatio…
- 507.6 Notification of Change. If required by the Authority Hav…
- 507.7 Pharmaceutical Compounding Exhaust Dis-
- 508.1 Where Required. Type I hoods shall be installed at
- 508.2 Listed Type I Hood Assemblies. Listed hood
- 508.3 Construction of Type I Hoods. The hood or that
- 508.4 Supports. Hoods shall be secured in place [OSHPD
- 508.5 Hood Size. Hoods shall be sized in accordance with
- 508.6 Solid-Fuel Hood Assemblies. Where solid-fuel
- 508.7 Exhaust Outlets. An exhaust outlet within an
- 509.1 Grease Removal Devices. Listed grease filters or
- 509.2 Installation. The distance between the grease removal
- 509.3 Solid-Fuel Grease Removal Devices. Where
- 510.1 General. Ducts shall not pass through fire walls.
- 510.2 Clearance. Clearance between ducts and combustible
- 510.3 Openings. Openings shall be provided at the sides or
- 510.4 Listed Grease Ducts. Listed grease ducts shall be
- 510.5 Other Grease Ducts. Other grease ducts shall comply with…
- 510.6 Exterior Installations. The exterior portion of the
- 510.7 Interior Installations. In all buildings more than one
- 510.8 Underground Installations. Grease ducts installed
- 510.9 Termination of Type I Hood Exhaust System.
- 510.10 Solid-Fuel Duct Systems. Where solid-fuel cooking equip…
- 511.1 Exhaust Fans for Commercial Cooking Opera-
- 511.2 Airflow. The air velocity through a duct shall be not
- 511.3 Makeup Air. The makeup air quantity shall prevent
- 511.4 Common Duct (Manifold) Systems. Master
- 511.5 Solid-Fuel Air Movement Requirements. Where
- 512.1 Dampers. Dampers shall not be installed in exhaust
- 512.2 Electrical Equipment. Wiring systems of any type
- 512.3 Other Equipment. Fume incinerators, thermal recovery uni…
- 512.4 Solid-Fuel Auxiliary Equipment. Where solid fuel
- 513.1 General. Fire-extinguishing equipment for the protection…
- 513.2 Types of Equipment. Fire-extinguishing equipment
- 513.3 Simultaneous Operation. Fixed pipe extinguishing
- 513.4 Fuel and Electric Power Shutoff. Upon activation of
- 513.5 Manual Activation. All systems shall have both automatic…
- 514.2 Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance. Maintenance of the…
- 513.6 System Annunciation. Upon activation of an automatic fir…
- 513.7 Special Design and Application. Hoods containing
- 513.8 Review and Certification. Where required, complete
- 513.9 Installation Requirements. Installation of systems
- 513.10 Portable Fire Extinguishers. Portable fire extinguisher…
- 513.11 Maintenance. Portable fire extinguishers shall be
- 513.12 Solid-Fuel Fire-Extinguishing Equipment.
- 514.1 Operating Procedures. Exhaust systems shall be
- 514.3 Inspection for Grease Buildup. The entire exhaust
- 514.4 Cleaning of Exhaust Systems. If, upon inspection,
- 514.5 Cooking Equipment Maintenance. Inspection and
- 515.1 Cooking Equipment. Cooking equipment shall be
- 515.2 Operating Controls. Deep-fat fryers shall be equipped
- 516.1 General Requirements. Recirculating systems containing o…
- 516.2 Design Restrictions. All recirculating systems shall
- 516.3 Interlocks. The recirculating system shall be provided
- 516.4 Location and Application Restrictions. The
- 516.5 Additional Fire Safety Requirements. In addition to the …
- 516.6 Use and Maintenance. Automatic or manual covers on cooki…
- 517.1 Venting Application. Venting requirements of solidfuel c…
- 517.2 Location of Appliances. Every appliance shall be
- 517.3 Hoods for Solid-Fuel Cooking. Hoods shall be sized
- 517.4 Exhaust Systems for Solid-Fuel Cooking. Where
- 517.5 Grease Removal Devices for Solid-Fuel Cook-
- 517.6 Air Movement for Solid-Fuel Cooking. Exhaust
- 517.7 Fire-Extinguishing Equipment for Solid-Fuel
- 517.8 Other Safety Requirements. Metal-fabricated solidfuel co…
- 518.1 General. Downdraft appliance ventilation system
- 518.2 Ventilation System. The downdraft appliance ventilation …
- 518.3 Fire-Extinguishing Equipment. For fire-extinguishing equ…
- 518.4 Airflow Switch or Transducer. An airflow switch or
- 518.5 Surface Materials. Any surface located directly
- 519.1 Where Required. Type II hoods shall be installed
- 519.2 Construction of Type II Hoods. Type II hoods
- 519.3 Dishwashing Appliances. The net airflow for Type
- 519.4 Type II Exhaust Duct Systems. Ducts and
- 519.5 Termination of Type II Hood Exhaust System.
- 519.6 Makeup Air. Makeup air shall be provided in accordance w…
- Chapter 6 — DUCT SYSTEMS
- Chapter 7 — COMBUSTION AIR
- Chapter 8 — CHIMNEYS AND VENTS
- Chapter 9 — INSTALLATION OF SPECIFIC APPLIANCES
- Chapter 10 — BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS
- Chapter 11 — REFRIGERATION
- Chapter 12 — HYDRONICS
- Chapter 13 — FUEL GAS PIPING
- Chapter 14 — PROCESS PIPING
- Chapter 15 — SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
- Chapter 16 — STATIONARY POWER PLANTS
- Chapter 17 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
- Appendix A — RESIDENTIAL PLAN EXAMINER REVIEW FORM FOR HVAC SY…
- Appendix B — PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED TO PLACE GAS EQUIPMENT …
- Appendix C — INSTALLATION AND TESTING OF OIL (LIQUID) FUEL-FIR…
- Appendix D — FUEL SUPPLY: MANUFACTURED/MOBILE HOME PARKS AND R…
- Appendix E — SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
- Appendix F — GEOTHERMAL ENERGY SYSTEMS
- Appendix G — SIZING OF VENTING SYSTEMS AND OUTDOOR COMBUSTION …
- Appendix H — EXAMPLE CALCULATION OF OUTDOOR AIR RATE