A New Standard Method of Test for Determining the Grease Particulate Removal Efficiency of Filter Systems for Kitchen Ventilation

Prior to 2005, there was not a recognized test method in the United States for determining the grease removal efficiency of mechanical filters used in kitchen ventilation systems. It wasnt uncommon for manufacturers to claim 90% grease removal efficiencies or higher based on test results that simulated conditions not representative of commercial kitchens. It has only been in the last few years that data on the true character of grease emissions from common kitchen applianceshave been available. This paper provides a description of a new consensus-based standard for determining the grease particulate removal efficiency of filters when used in kitchen ventilationsystems. Furthermore, it describes how engineers, consultants and end-users can use these data to estimate how well competing mechanical extractors might work in their restaurants. This paper discusses the development of the method of test, not the details of how to perform the actual testingitself.