For restaurant owners and designers, there’s more to consider than just the appearance of the restaurant’s ceiling. While the ceiling you choose will undoubtedly play an important role in the atmosphere and ambience of your establishment, you can never overestimate the importance of a proper ventilation system in your commercial kitchen. Over the course of time, grease, fats and oils build up and can cause substantial damage to your building’s roof, not to mention creating environmental and fire hazards. When deciding which type of ventilation system will best suit your needs, keep this important information in mind.
Roof Damage
Grease, fats and oils become aerosols during the cooking process. Those aerosols are then pulled up through the exhaust system of the restaurant’s kitchen. Once the aerosols come in contact with any type of a cool surface, such as your kitchen’s exhaust fan, they once again turn into liquid and can end up on the roof of your restaurant. Because most roof membranes are made of tar, the grease can quickly begin to seriously damage the membrane. Once the roof membrane is compromised, the roof itself becomes more susceptible to damage. All this can add up to some costly roofing repair bills.
Even if your roof membrane is made of vinyl, it’s still possible for grease to seep into the seams of the membrane. Eventually, if left unattended, this can cause holes to develop in the vinyl membrane, once again leaving your roof susceptible to damage.
Fire Hazard
It’s your worst nightmare—a fire begins in your restaurant, causing extensive and costly damage to the property. If patrons are present, the nightmare is much worse. It shouldn’t be any surprise that any buildup of grease in your kitchen exhaust system or on your restaurant roof will create a fire hazard. In fact, the vast majority of the numerous fires that occur each year in the food service industry are caused by grease buildup in exhaust systems or on rooftops. Choosing the most effective ventilation system for your restaurant, keeping your exhaust system clean and preventing grease buildup on your restaurant’s roof is simply the smart thing to do to protect your establishment, your employees and your patrons.
Environmental Hazard
It’s probably safe to say that most responsible people care about the environment. After all, this is where we live and where our children and grandchildren will live after us. But the fact is that you may be unknowingly creating an environmental hazard if you allow a buildup of grease to form on your restaurant’s roof. Eventually, because of the design of the rooftop and drains, grease that accumulates on your roof will end up in the storm drains. Liquid in those drains ultimately ends up in our waterways. It’s up to you, as a responsible individual and businessperson, to do the right thing for the environment.
Fortunately, doing what’s best for the environment is also doing what’s best for your business. Avoid damaging your establishment’s roof, or creating a fire or environmental hazard by choosing a quality ventilation system for your restaurant, and taking precautions to avoid grease buildup on your rooftop. Paying attention and keeping your facility as clean as possible will definitely save you time and money in the long run, not to mention peace of mind.
Rick Anderson blogs for www.austinroofing.co, an Austin TX roofing provider. Contact Affordable Austin Roofing Solutions, 7000 N MO PAC EXPY #200-A1, Austin, Texas 78731-3013, 512-843-8013.
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