Inspector flagged the hood or duct
Violations on a hood system tend to be specific and fixable. We take the inspector's list, make the corrections in the hood, duct or fan, and document what was done.
Serving Downers Grove & nearby Lisle, Woodridge
Commercial Kitchen Hood Installation in Downers Grove, IL
Type I and Type II exhaust hoods, grease duct, exhaust fans and makeup air installed for restaurants and food-service kitchens in Downers Grove.
- Commercial kitchens across Downers Grove ZIP 60515, 60516
- Nights, early mornings and closed days
- Coordination with the fire and health inspectors
Hood and ventilation problems we solve for Downers Grove kitchens
Opening a new restaurant, swapping a cook line or failing an inspection on an old hood all land on the same question: what ventilation does this kitchen need? Our crews size, permit and install Type I and Type II hoods in Downers Grove, with duct, fan and makeup air sized to the equipment underneath.
School, church or daycare kitchen upgrade
Institutional kitchens often run old hoods that were fine for warming food but not for frying or griddle work. We match the hood to how the kitchen is used today.
Smoke rolls out past the hood
Smoke spilling into the kitchen means capture has failed. Common causes are too little overhang, a tired fan belt or a building starved for replacement air.
New restaurant needs a hood before opening
A new food establishment can't get its occupancy or health approval without a working, inspected hood over grease-producing equipment. We plan the system around your equipment list and get it permitted.
Landlord or property manager requirements
In multi-tenant buildings, duct routing past other tenants and roof access need the owner's approval. We plan the route with the building's requirements in mind.
Exhaust fan noisy, slipping or dead
Fans wear out from grease and heat. We assess whether a motor and belt will do or whether a new fan is the sensible move.
Doors whistle and the kitchen is under heavy negative pressure
Strong negative pressure drags cold air through every gap, can backdraft gas appliances and weakens hood capture. We add or rebalance makeup air to match the exhaust.
Taking over a space with a used hood
Reusing a hood left by a previous tenant can save time, but only if the size, duct and suppression suit your cooking. We assess it and list what needs upgrading.
Scope of work
- Site survey and equipment reviewWe look at the cook line, the roof and the path between them, and list every appliance that goes under the hood.
- Roof penetration and curbRoof opening framed, curb set and flashed to carry the exhaust fan.
- Hood hangingWe set the hood on threaded rod or brackets anchored to the structure, square to the cook line.
- Grease duct installationContinuous welded duct from hood to fan, with access panels and the required clearances or a listed enclosure.
- Fire suppression coordinationThe suppression system is installed and certified by a licensed suppression contractor; we build the hood to suit it.
- Start-up and airflow checkWe run the system with the line hot and confirm capture, pressure and controls.
- Inspections and closeoutWe meet the mechanical and fire inspectors and close out the permit.
What goes into the system
Duct wrap and rated enclosuresFire protection for duct runs that can't keep open clearance to building materials.
Type II hoodUsed where the load is steam or heat, not grease; it can use lighter duct.
Upblast exhaust fanThe common choice for grease exhaust, hinged so the cleaning crew can reach the wheel and duct.
Wall canopy and island hoodsWall hoods sit against a back wall over a cook line; island hoods hang over a free-standing line and need more overhang.
Type I hoodThe grease hood for fryers, griddles, ranges and broilers, with listed baffle filters and fire suppression.
Before and after: kitchens near Downers Grove
Before
Installed
DetailBefore and after: a cafe kitchen in Downers Grove
This one is a cafe kitchen near E.H. Prince Subdivision. The main complaint was a hood that let smoke roll into the kitchen. The result: a new stainless type I exhaust hood with fire suppression nozzles over the cook line. Work included roof penetration and curb, hood hanging, plus grease duct installation.
Before
AfterCommercial Hood Cleaning in a commercial kitchen, Downers Grove
What changed: the same hood degreased to bare stainless with an inspection sticker area.
Commercial Hood Cleaning in Downers Grove →
Before
AfterGrease Trap Installation & Cleaning in a restaurant kitchen, Downers Grove
What changed: the same interceptor pumped and the lid closed, service hose coiled on the truck.
Grease Trap Installation & Cleaning in Downers Grove →
Before
AfterKitchen Remodeling in a 1960s ranch, Downers Grove
Cabinets in light butter yellow with satin brass pulls, creamy quartzite-look quartz counters, a green zellige-look tile backsplash, warm oak luxury vinyl plank flooring and a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Downers Grove →
Before
AfterDowners Grove kitchen, 1960s ranch: kitchen cabinet painting
What changed: the same doors sprayed in pale sage, new polished nickel pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Downers Grove →From survey to sign-off
- Call with your equipment listSend the equipment schedule, floor plan or a few photos of the line and the roof.
- Site surveyWe walk the kitchen, ceiling space and roof to plan the duct route and fan location.
- Written proposal and permitsYou get a written, itemized proposal, then we prepare the drawings and file for permits.
- InstallationHood, duct, fan and makeup air go in, often scheduled around your build-out or off-hours.
- Testing and inspectionThe system is started, balanced and inspected, and you get the closeout paperwork.
Commercial Kitchen Hood Installation questions from Downers Grove businesses
Do I need a hood for my equipment?
It depends on what the appliance produces. Fryers, griddles and charbroilers need a Type I hood; some countertop and ventless units are listed to run without one.
Who installs and services the fire suppression system?
Suppression is installed and serviced by a licensed suppression contractor. We coordinate the hood, piping access and interlocks with them.
Can you install after hours to keep us open?
We plan around your service. Much of the work can run outside business hours, and we tell you when the line has to be down.
Why do I need makeup air?
A hood can only exhaust as much as the room can replace. Makeup air sized to the exhaust is part of the system, not an extra.
How long does a hood installation take?
It depends on the size and the route. The paperwork and hood lead time usually set the schedule more than the install does.
Who inspects kitchen hoods and fire safety in Downers Grove?
Downers Grove Fire Department, Fire Prevention Division, 630-434-5983. We schedule the inspection and have the paperwork ready.
Does hood installation need a Downers Grove building permit, and who files it?
Permits go through Community Development Department, Building Division (https://cvportal.downers.us), phone 630-434-5515. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do you work in my part of Downers Grove?
Yes. Our crews work across Downers Grove, including Denburn Woods, Shady Lane Estates, E.H. Prince Subdivision — ZIP 60515, 60516 — and nearby Lisle, Woodridge, Oak Brook.
Working in Downers Grove
- Downtime costs you covers, so Downers Grove work is booked around your slow days and closing times.
- We coordinate with Community Development Department, Building Division and the fire department so inspections don't hold up your opening.
- We handle the paperwork landlords and property managers ask for: insurance, access times and scope sign-off.
Denburn WoodsShady Lane EstatesE.H. Prince Subdivision
ZIP 60515ZIP 60516
Commercial Kitchen Hood Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Downers Grove
Commercial Hood CleaningHood, duct and roof fan degreased to bare metal, after hours.
Grease Trap Installation & CleaningTraps and interceptors installed, cleaned and logged for inspectors.
Kitchen RemodelingFull kitchen remodels, from layout to last cabinet pull.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.
Cabinet RefacingNew doors and fronts on your existing cabinet boxes.