Useful advice for installation
Safety in the kitchen
When we think of a range hood, our first thought is that it's sole purpose is to removecooking odours and excess heat from the top of the cooking surface. The reality is that the range hood, when installed properly, is very effective in both removing any byproducts of natural gas or propane combustion as well as exchanging the stale air in the kitchen with fresh oxygen rich air from the outside.
Although make up systems are not mandatory in all regions some regions have created legislation to ensure make up air systems are installed and it is important for homeowners to consult with local building codes. The installation of a Falmec ducted range hood allows air to be changed efficiently which improves the quality of the environment in which you live.
Even if a make up air system is not required or mandatory in a specific application, simply opening a window to the exterior can effectively assist in this process. This is something to consider in many of todays air tight homes. Another factor to be taken into consideration is the distance between the top of the gas cooking surface and the
bottom of the range hood.The minimum distance between the two devices must be at least 65 cm. This distance may vary with certain gas cookers, please consult the requirements as outlined by the manufacturer of the gas hob.
Modes of operation
There are two different types of operation with regards to kitchen range hoods.
1. Externally ducted range hood, which expels kitchen fumes and odours outdoors. This system draws in clean air from outdoors and it allows the kitchen to be properly ventilated. This is the solution recommended by Airmec, due to the fact that it is a more efficient solution and it ensures a healthier environment within the kitchen.
2. The ductless or recirculation range hood draws in air impregnated with cooking vapours and cleans it by means of special active carbon filters. This filtered air is then re-circulated back into the kitchen. Such a solution should be chosen only when it is not possible to install a ducted system which vents fumes outdoors. In order to maintain a highly efficient ductless filtering system, it is essential that the greaseproof filters should be periodically washed and the active carbon anti-odour filters be substituted.
Outlet duct configurations
Aspiration efficiency is influenced also by the length of the duct, by the number of elbows along the duct route and the diameter of the ducts. The longer the outlet duct is, the larger the diameter of the duct must be. Falmec always recommends the use of ducting with a minimum diameter of 120 mm to try and use the straightest route leading to the outlet vent, with the shortest run possible.
With regards to the external ducted range hoods, the outlet duct must have a diameter no less than that of the range hoods motor. It is recommended that along the horizontal lengths of the duct there must be a slight upward gradient (approximately 10%) in order to allow the air to flow out of the environment.
Electrical connections
All Falmec range hoods come standard with plug however some installations require a special electrical connection; it is recommended that a qualified electrician be consulted. In any case, the connection must be carried out in compliance with local building codes and legislation.
Each phase of the electrical device assembly procedure is shown in the instruction booklet accompanying each model.
