There is a lot to know about exhaust fan hinge kits but first, let us see what exhaust fan hinge kit actually mean. Well, Hinge kits usually make sure that your ductwork is properly cleaned without even damaging your exhaust system at all. Hinge kits also prevent your entire electric wiring from being torn out; they also have the ability to thwart your exhaust fan from getting damaged during routine cleaning and servicing. Hinge kits also change the way exhaust fans are hinged for any cleaning and maintenance purposes.
What does an Exhaust fan Hinge kit Do?
You may find a lot of different styles of hinge kits available in the market, but more or less they all perform the same basic function which is to create a movable joint that connects the exhaust fan to the curb and allows the exhaust fan to be swerved open or closed. Every hinge kit will come with a chain attachment, a locking pin, or another mechanism in order to keep the fan from tilting back too far. All these hinge kits will have some sort of hold open retainer in order to make sure and secure the hinge into a locked open position to keep it from smashing back closed.
Benefits of commercial Exhaust Fan Hinge Kit
You might be wondering what exactly the key benefits are of adding a hinge to your exhaust fan? Well, one of the main reasons is that your commercial kitchen hood system will always follow the law, but with that being said installing an exhaust fan hinge kit offers many other benefits such as
- Hinge kits eliminates any sort of damage that can occur to your exhaust fan while performing any sort of service and cleaning
- Hinge kit reduces rooftop grease discharge
- They may also reduce duct and roof damage that may occur during installation
- They are very easy to install
- Model for every fan
- They usually come with lifetime warranty for service life of fan
Some major benefits may also include
- Exhaust fan hinge kit makes it easier and safer to examine, clean, and maintain your entire exhaust fan
Just because of the reason that your rooftop fan works so hard, it is obviously very important to keep it properly maintained and cleaned in whatever way possible, and for that reason, you need an exhaust fan hinge kit. Hinge kits usually reduce any sort of safety hazards, and they also tend to provide easy access to the inside of the fan for any sort of routine inspection, cleaning, and maintenance. They let the fan be held open at the exact angle and in a properly confined position. With a properly installed hinge kit, you will never have to remove a heavy, greasy fan. Also, it makes it a lot easier to clean and maintain your exhaust fan, this will also make your restaurant safer from fire hazards and will help keep your ventilation system effective. Just because of this one exhaust fan hinge kit you will be able to keep your exhaust fan clean, and you will have very little rooftop grease to deal with.
- Exhaust fan hinge kit will protect your fan, electrical cords, roof curb, and your roof from any sort of damage
If you add a hinge kit to your exhaust fan it will help to protect your fan, electrical cords, roof curb, and your roof from being damaged. In case you do not have an exhaust fan hinge, there are chances that you will have to take off the roof curb and install it somewhere on the roof. With the properly installed hinge kit, it will make it possible to open the fan for any sort of inspection or cleaning without the need to disconnect and reconnect electrical cords, it will help in causing no damage to the cords in any way. You may find some sharp edges and protruding parts on the fan which can cause damage to your roof surface in case it is dropped or even when it is placed down carefully.
- Saves time during maintenance and cleaning
If your hinge kit is installed properly, everyone who needs to gain access to the inside of the fan will not just be safe, they will also be able to do what they need to more rapidly just due to the reason that they will not have to remove the entire fan completely, this will save their time, as well as money.
- Hinge kits can be your best investments
If you invest in a hinge kit, this eventually means that you are investing in your restaurant and in all the people who work in and around it in any way. The proper value of a high-quality hinge kit installed on your rooftop ventilator cannot be exaggerated. No matter what kind of exhaust fan hinge kit you choose to install in your restaurant, you can always assure that it is an investment worth making.
Types of Commercial exhaust fan hinge kit
There are 3 main types of commercial exhaust fan hinge kits, and these are classified as.
L-Bar Hinge Kit
This is the cheapest type of commercial fan hinge kit in terms of price. The L-Bar design lets your fan open without any chains attached. Installation of such a hinge kit usually requires 2 to 3 inches of space on the back or side of the curb. This option is offered for standard and oversized exhaust fans, and it also comes with a one-year warranty.
- Standard duty: This one is perfect for fan bases that are 20 inches or even smaller and weigh around 600 pounds or even less.
- Heavy duty: It is made up of a heavier gauge steel for fans with bases measuring 24 inches or larger and weighing up to 1,000 pounds.
Driploc Hinge Kit
This type of hinge kit is considered a versatile option because of the reason that it can be installed on almost any kind of exhaust fan. The chains are attached to the fan to keep it open. This one is available for standard and oversized exhaust fans and does not come with a lifetime warranty.
- The standard hinge: It is designed for almost all of the exhaust fans and can be installed with limited space requirements.
- The oversized hinge: It is specially designed for such situations where the fan base is smaller than the curb. The heavier gauge hinge is strong enough to tightly hold open oddly configured fans.
Omni Super Hinge
This is the most sturdy, reliable, and durable exhaust fan hinge kit which is available worldwide. With the help of such a hinge, it will extend the life of your new fan with the Omni Super Hinge, complete with a lifetime warranty.
- The standard version: this one can fit any fan that includes over-sized models as well. A hold pin locks the fan in place at 45 or 90 degrees for flexibility in the cleaning process.
- The Quick Fit version: It has somehow the same benefits as the standard Super Hinge, but it is specially designed for one-man installation. The quick fit version can be installed in less than 15 minutes while the fan is operating. However, the Quick Fit version is not available for over-sized fans.
Buying guide for best Commercial exhaust fan hinge kit
You will find many different types of hinge kits that are available in the market and all of them are different in terms of price but more or less they all perform the same basic function. The most crucial thing to consider when you are selecting a hinge kit is buying and installing a hinge kit that is specially designed to fit the size of your fan and curb and that can support the weight of the fan as well.
For more information on the different types of hinges that are there in the market, you must consider the following points;
Hinge kits must be affordable
If you are someone who is searching for exhaust fan hinges that do not cost you a lot but still get the job done in the best possible way, you can always go for the Driploc hinge kit. As it is a lot easier to install and it gets installed in just 10 minutes and this one is crafted of heavy-duty steel for years of dependable service.
Hinge kits that fits quickly
You would never want any sort of disruption to the functioning of your restaurant kitchen ventilation system, particularly for all those restaurants that have extended service hours. In case you are looking for a hinge that you may install while the fan motor is still running, the Omni Containment Quick Fit Super Hinge can be the best choice for your kitchen.
Hinge kits for offset fan bases
In that condition, if your fan base and roof curb may differ in size. Driploc hinge kit is precisely what you need exactly. This one will install quickly and easily in just ten minutes. Driploc hinge kit also has two safety chains and it is constructed of heavy-duty steel that will support the weight of almost any fan and will last for years.
What is the difference between Hinge Kits? Which one do I need?
Choosing the right hinge kit is very important and it also depends on many factors that include the size, weight, the area that you have to work with around the exhaust fan, difficulty in installation, and how much money you are willing to invest in order to protect the exhaust fan. There are 3 different kinds of hinge kits that you may choose from according to your requirements: L-Bar Hinge Kit, Driploc Hinge Kit, Omni Super Hinge.
Why do we need exhaust fan hinges?
Exhaust fan hinges help in making the cleaning of the exhaust fan safe and easy. With a properly installed hinge, you can simply tip the fan back for easy access to the internal areas of the fan. Some of the advantages of hinge kits include.
- It is an NFPA requirement for fire code
- All the insurance companies expect hinge kits on fans because it reduces the burden
- Hinge kits make sure that your ductwork is being cleaned correctly without even damaging your exhaust system
- Hinge kits can stop your electric wiring from getting damaged by routine cleaning and servicing
- Hinge Kits will put a stop to your exhaust fan from being dented during routine cleaning and servicing
- Hinge kits are an investment to save your restaurant money
