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Mechanical Engineering Consulting Firm Supports Small Restaurants
Engaging a Mechanical Engineering Consulting Firm Facilitates Ventilation Exemption Approvals
The Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Consumer Protection Division, published a guideline “Food Facility Plan Requirements” to assist new (or remodeld) restaurant business owners meet the California Retail Food Code (CalCode). The document facilitates obtaining a California Health and Safety Certificate; it does not discuss local planning and zoning requirements, or local fire safety requirements, etc. The internet address www.ehinfo.org for further information. Section 4.P. dictates ventilation standards; most cooking equipment needs hoods and ducts. However, for smaller food preparation appliances, under certain circumstances, a ventilation hood exception can be granted. Engaging a Licensed Mechanical Engineering Consulting firm can facilitate obtaining a ventilation exception.
Ventilation Exemption Letters Written by a Licensed Mechanical Engineer
The California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health published in 2009 a public document entitled, “Cooking Equipment Exhaust Ventilation Exemption Guide for the Local Enforcement Agency.” The full document can be downloaded here: https://www.ccdeh.com/resources/documents/food-safety-guidelines-1/140-cooking-equipment-exhaust-ventilation-exemption-guide-1/file . Previously, ventilation exemptions were managed by the Food and Drug Branch of the California Department of Public Health. This authority has now defaulted to the local level (county) Departments of Health. In Santa Clara County, there have been instances where the Health Department has requested that a letter be written by a California Licensed Mechanical Engineer (xxx insert link to PE engineer) to ensure that a restaurant’s cooking equipment meets the Ventilation Exhaust Ventilation Exemption requirements.
Only Commercially Rated Appliances Receive Exhaust Ventilation Exemptions
The “Cooking Equipment Exhaust Ventilation Exemption Guide for the Local Enforcement Agency” delineates the specific types cooking equipment that qualify for exemption. Typical apparatus includes coffee makers, crepe makers (up to 3), small table top ovens, rice cookers, tapioca makers, and countertop toasters. (Note all exempt appliances must be tested by an ANSI Laboratory and be marked accordingly, and they must be commercially rated.) If the equipment is to be placed in public view, it must be located behind a sneeze guard.
Glew Engineering Has Successfully Helped Several Restaurants Obtain Ventilation Exemptions
At Glew Engineering Consulting, located in Mountain View, Santa Clara County, California, we have assisted several restaurants obtain their Health Department certificate by writing Exhaust Ventilation Exemption letters. Dr. Alex Glew is a licensed Mechanical Engineer in California and is an expert mechanical engineer in HVAC systems. Typical customers have included K’s Crepes, (Crepe Maker) Crepes and More (small oven), and Mercado La Torre (tortilla Maker.) In some instances, it was necessary to work with the clients to identify
[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding=”undefined” dimension_margin=”undefined” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_imageframe image_id=”5756″ style_type=”none” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align=”none” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” alt=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]https://www.glewengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Crepe-Maker-Reduced-File-size-e1512409860887.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_text]
Fig. 2 Crepe Maker
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Fig. 3 Sandwich Press
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