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External Supply Plenums

Introducing Make-Up Air to Exhaust Only Hoods

April 2005

Advantages of External Supply Plenums


Make-up air can be introduced through the hood with an integrated supply plenum or an external supply plenum. The shaded region represents the volume of the hood. Increasing the volume by using an external plenum allows more smoke and heat to be held in the hood until it can be exhausted. This is important over cooking equipment that produces a great deal of heat and smoke, such as a char-broiler. External supply plenums are usually less expensive than an integrated supply type hood and can be retrofitted to existing exhaust only hood systems to improve performance and comfort.

Integrated Face Supply

Exhaust Only with ASP

Design Considerations for External Supply Plenums


In order for a kitchen system to work properly, 100% of the exhausted air must be made up. Be sure to follow the recommended supply rates for each type of external supply plenum. Maximum supply rates are only to be used under ideal conditions and may cause performance and comfort problems. Be aware that in some cases, not all of the necessary make-up air can be brought through external supply plenums. Air may need to be brought in from another source to completely balance the building. Transfer air from another room, or using non-directional ceiling diffusers along with an external plenum, may be necessary for optimum performance. For a complete explanation, see the Supply and Make-up air section (pg 15) of the Application and Design Guide available for download at www.greenheck.com. All Greenheck External Supply Plenums come with a variety of configurations and sizes of duct collars, either mounted at the factory or shipped loose to be installed in the field.

Back Supply Plenum (BSP)


Recommended use: To introduce untempered or marginally tempered air (heated air during colder months). Air is kept near hood to minimize mixing with air in the space. Located along the backside of the hood Air is directed through perforated panels behind and below cooking equipment. Will not disturb pilot lights Provides clearance to limited combustibles* Functions as a backsplash panel Made of 304 or 430 stainless steel Use with canopy (Type I or II) or proximity hoods (plenum heights vary according to hood type) Insulate plenum to eliminate condensation Multiple sections may be used to fit any length of hood
*NFPA 96 requires a minimum 3 inch clearance between the hood and any defined limited combustible. See NFPA 96 for a listing of limited combustibles. Back Supply Plenum to be mounted 31.25 inches above the finished floor.

145 cfm/ft. 145 cfm/ft.

Back Supply Plenum with a canopy type hood

Back Supply Plenum with a proximity type hood

Air Curtain Supply Plenum (ASP)


Recommended use: To minimize mixing with air in the space by distributing airflow at the hood. May use tempered or untempered air. A series of perforated panels evenly distribute air at lower discharge velocities which benefits hood capture and containment Made of 304 or 430 stainless steel to match hood Use with canopy (TypeI and II), or proximity hoods (must mount high above hood against enclosure panels or in ceiling grid when using proximity type hoods) Multiple sections may be used to fit any length of hood
14 inch wide ASP

110 cfm/ft.

Standard ASP mounted at the standard height

14 inch wide ASP

> 110 cfm/ft.

180 cfm/ft.

Increase airflow by raising the mounting height

24 inch wide ASP

180 cfm/ft.

Increase airflow with a wider plenum For increasing airflow through an Air Curtain Supply Plenum (ASP): Use multiple plenums (description on backcover) Raise the mounting height of the plenum Use the 24 inch wide plenum

Proximity hood with 24 inch wide ASP mounted above top of hood with enclosure panels

Variable Supply Plenum (VSP)


Recommended use: To mix supply air with room air. May use tempered or untempered air depending on climate. Air is directed down onto cooking personnel through the curtain and distributed out into the kitchen through the face Perforated panels evenly distribute air at low discharge velocities Made of 304 or 430 stainless steel Use with canopy (Type I or II), or proximity hoods Multiple sections may be used to fit any length of hood Adjustable damper controls airflow between the curtain and face: Face Supply 50-100% Air Curtain Supply 0-50%
Variable Supply Plenum to be mounted 6 inches above the bottom edge of hood or higher (shown), if ceiling heights allow. Do not put finished ceiling below front face.

160 cfm/ft.

80-160 cfm/ft.
adjustable damper

0-80 cfm/ft.

Multiple Plenums
Multiple plenums can be used to increase airflow into the kitchen without exceeding supply rate limitations. Performance and increased comfort are benefits of using multiple plenums. Wrap ASPs along all open sides of a canopy hood or use two different types of supply plenums such as a Back Supply Plenum (BSP) with an Air Curtain Supply Plenum (ASP) to provide up to 100% make-up air to the kitchen. Using multiple ASPs (shown) can eliminate the need for enclosure panels above the hood if the bottom of the plenums are mounted flush with the top of the hood (shown to right).

Isometric view of multiple Air Curtain Supply Plenums

Weights, Dimensions, and Supply Rates


External Supply Weight Width Height Length per Plenum Type (lbs/ft.) (in.) (in.) section (ft.)
Back - BSP Air Curtain - ASP (14 inch) Air Curtain - ASP (24 inch) Variable - VSP
42.0* 9.5 12.5 16.0 6 14 24 12 Variable 10 10 18 3 to 16 3 to 16 3 to 16 3 to 16

Recommended Supply Rate


Up to 100% or 145 cfm/ft Up to 30 % or 110 cfm/ft Up to 50% or 180 cfm/ft

Maximum Supply Rate


Up to 100% or 250 cfm/ft Up to 50% or 180 cfm/ft Up to 80% or 280 cfm/ft

Up to 70% or 0-80 cfm/ft Up to 90% or 0-137 cfm/ft curtain, 80-160 cfm/ft face curtain, 138-275 cfm/ft face

* Back Supply Plenum Only Weights are based on a 24 inch hood height and a hood hanging height of 78 inches. For every increase of 6 inches in hood hanging height or an increase of hood height from 24 inches to 30 inches, add an additional 2.2 lbs/ft. of weight to the plenum. If the hood hanging height is 84 inches and hood height is 30 inches, add 4.4 lbs/ft. to the plenum.

Our Warranty
Greenheck warrants this equipment to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year from the purchase date. Any units or parts which prove defective during the warranty period will be replaced at our option when returned to our factory, transportation prepaid. Motors are warranted by the motor manufacturer for a period of one year. Should motors furnished by Greenheck prove defective during this period, they should be returned to the nearest authorized motor service station. Greenheck will not be responsible for any removal or installation costs. As a result of our commitment to continuous improvement, Greenheck reserves the right to change specifications without notice.

Copyright 2005 Greenheck Fan Corp

P.O. Box 410 Schofield, WI 54476-0410 Phone (715) 359-6171 greenheck.com

External Supply Plenum SN, Rev. 2, April 2005

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