Mecklenburg County
CODE
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Code Enforcement
INTERPRETATION
Code Volume Reference: NC Mechanical Code 2006
Code Chapter Reference: 507.16, 507.16.1, 507.16.2
Subject: Performance Test Detail
Effective Date: 1/1/2003
Prepared/Revision Date: May 2007
CODE:
507.16 Performance test. A performance test shall be conducted upon
completion and before final approval of the installation of a ventilation system
serving commercial cooking appliances. The test shall verify the rate of exhaust
airflow required by Section 507.13, makeup airflow required by Section 508, and
proper operation as specified in this chapter. The permit holder (or testing firm)
shall furnish the necessary test equipment and devices required to perform the
tests.
507.16.1 Capture and containment test. The permit holder shall verify capture
and containment performance of the exhaust system. This field test shall be
conducted with all appliances under the hood at operating temperatures.
Capture and containment shall be verified visually by observing smoke or steam
produced by actual or simulated cooking, such as with smoke candles, smoke
puffers, etc.
Mecklenburg County
CODE
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Code Enforcement
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507.16.2 Certification. These tests shall be witnessed by the code official, or at
the code official’s option, by a professional engineer.
INTERPRETATION:
The hood/s (Type I only) test shall verify the rate of airflow and proper
operation with these additional requirements:
1. All building exhausting equipment (i.e. misc. kitchen exhaust fans, bath fans,
etc.) shall be energized and in operation during the performance test.
2. The cooking equipment under the hood/s shall be in place, up to operational
heat levels and sufficient smoke/ grease generating foods to simulate the desired
cooking process.
3. The hood shall capture all exhaust. T-T Puffers (or equal) shall be used during
the test to check for spillage of exhaust to the kitchen area.
4. The test shall also include the verifying of actual flow rates versus design flow
rates.
5. The Designer or installer shall provide documentation detailing and certification
of all test results including the status of the structures systems during the tests
(i.e. temperatures, food cooked, fans, etc.)
Mecklenburg County
CODE
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Code Enforcement
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6. Testing/verification shall be performed by a P.E or person/s certified through
AABC, TABB, NEBB or NBC, who shall provide documentation of performance to
the code official.
AABC (Associated Air Balance Council)
TABB (Testing & Balancing Bureau)
NEBB (National Environmental Balancing Bureau)
NBI (National Balancing Council)
Prepared by: Consistency Team
Approved by:
Philip B. Edwards, M/P Chief Code Administrator