Question about kitchens in office buildings

[Maritimer]

We have been cleaning fast food restaurants for about six months. Recently we were asked to bid for 2 jobs, one in an office building and one in a retirement home. We checked the hoods and filters first as usual. Then we went on the roofs to inspect the fans and duct lines. The thing is, neither of these places had fans on the roof. The hoods were hooked into an HVAC system with filters. My partner and I have never seen this set-up before so don't know how to continue. I have attached a picture of the hvac filter system I am talking about.

My questions are;
1. Is this system up to code?
2. How can you clean it?
3. Anyone else have experience with this type of system?

Any help would be extremely appreciated!!

Mike

PS I am sorry if I uploaded the picture incorrectly, I am really new to this :/

 

[Phil Ackland]

Dear Mike
From what you have said, this is a very non-compliant exhaust system and a fire hazard. With all due respect you are likely over your head on this. I would advise you contact the fire department even if it means walking away from the job. It is also likely that someone in the building cares about the fact that this is an unsafe set-up and will want it fixed. Who that might be is anyones guess.

I would need much more information to render any closer opinions.

Keep my posted if you like.

Phil Ackland

 

[BlueBliss]

Mike, first of all, listen to Phil.
Not to diminish what he said, but you might want to take another good look at this hood. It is likely it has a lot of horizontal duct and an inline fan. I believe that is non-compliant, but it's also very common around here. If the fan is outside, this could be a good learning experience. If it is inside, it could be a bad learning experience.
Judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment!
Go back and find the fan and where the exhaust leaves the building. You can ask the manager, follow the duct, or flip the fan switch and listen carefully to where the noise comes from. Snap a pic and post!