Flame Gard flat duct access doors offer a cost effective and dependable solution for adding access to inspect and clean your commercial kitchen ventilation duct system. If you don’t already have access ports installed, or the ones you have are flimsy and unsafe, it’s time to make a change.
Why Do You Need Duct Access Doors?
So why is it so crucial to have safe and reliable access to grease ducts? It is important to be able to reach all areas of the ducts to ensure they are completely clean. If there is no way to inspect and access the interior of your ventilation system, then there is no way to make sure it’s clean.
Without good access for cleaning, grease and cooking residue can quickly build up inside your ducts. This creates an extremely dangerous fire hazard. Grease fueled fires burn very hot – 2300°F and higher. They are volatile and can easily spread throughout your ventilation system, to your roof, and to surrounding buildings. Installing grease duct access panels is an essential step in protecting your kitchen, property, employees, and patrons.
NFPA Fire Code
Providing proper access to grease ducts is such an important part of setting up your commercial kitchen ventilation system that duct access doors are legally required by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
The NFPA Fire Code #96 Section 1-3.1.3 states “all interior surfaces of the exhaust system shall be reasonably accessible for cleaning and inspection purposes.” You may also find that local ordinances and regulations demand the installation of duct access panels. In addition, landlords or insurance companies often require them.
In addition, the NFPA Fire Code also generally states that access openings with fire tight duct access doors are required every 12 feet and at every change in direction of horizontal ductwork. The only exception is if the duct is large enough to accommodate physical entry of personnel.
Duct access openings are also required within 18 inches of any ventilation hoods that contain dampers that block the opening of the duct. This includes most water-wash type hoods. The NFPA 96 Fire Code also requires access in vertical ducts, either on every floor or on top of the vertical riser if physical entry is possible. And for exhaust fans with ductwork connected on both sides, access must be provided within 3 feet of the fan on both sides.
Flame Gard flat duct access doors are a simple way to stay in compliance with the law, keep grease build up out of your ducts, and help reduce your risk of fire. We carry two types of Flame Gard flat access doors: UL fire rated and hi-temp with break-away studs.
Here’s a quick overview video of the sturdy and effective Flame Gard flat duct access door:
UL Fire Rated Flame Gard Flat Duct Access Doors
The UL fire rated Flame Gard flat duct access doors feature a heavy duty 16-gauge steel construction with a fire tight gasket rated to 2300°F (1260°C). The high temperature gasket is bonded to the front panel and designed not to scrape off of the door.
The back black iron frame helps to reinforce the duct cutout and a positive bolt pattern ensures that the door has a fire-safe closure. It is UL listed and NFPA 96 compliant. The Flame Gard flat duct access door comes standard with 1” studs. The door can be extended with optional 4” studs to allow for use with FyreWrap®.
Benefits and features include:
• UL listed and meets or exceeds requirements of all NFPA fire codes
• Fire tight gasket rated to 2300°F (1260°C)
• Gasket is high-temp bonded to front panel
• Gasket stays on door – will not scrape off
• Rugged, all steel, grease tight, air tight construction
• Bolt in unit easily installed into existing ductwork
• Duct cutout template included
• No bolts penetrate to the interior of the duct
• Two handles for easy removal and installation
• Made in U.S.A.
We offer this door in 11 sizes between 7” x 10” and 23” x 23”. Custom sizes are available and it is also available in galvanized steel. Installation is easy. The estimated time to install one door is just 15 – 30 minutes. No welding is required. The only tools you’ll need are a drill, a hole saw or drill bit, and a metal cutting saw or power shears. Full installation instructions are available here. Once installed, you simply hand tighten the door with the included wingnuts.
Flame Gard Hi-Temp Flat Duct Access Doors
The second type of Flame Gard flat access door that we carry is the Flame Gard hi-temp model. This door is constructed of two layers of stamped, hot dipped galvanized steel with a 16 gauge black iron backing plate.
It has a high temperature ceramic fiber gasket that is rated to 2300°F (1260°C). The gasket is permanently bonded to the access door to provide the ultimate in safety, durability, and leak resistance. If you are wondering what’s the difference between “Hi-Temp” and “Fire Rated”, it’s that “Hi-Temp” duct access doors meet NFPA 96 Fire Code requirements but they are not UL listed.
Installation is both quick and easy. No measuring is needed. Just use the included self-adhesive mounting template. Zinc-plated springs are located between the inner and outer plates to assist in opening the door. Simply turn the zinc-coated wing nuts by hand to tighten the door in place.
The Flame Gard hi-temp door ships with 6” break-away studs to allow for FyreWrap® insulation. The studs can easily be broken off at 2” for a standard insulation. We offer the Flame Gard hi-temp flat duct access door in three sizes: 10” x 6”, 12” x 8”, and 18” x 14”. This door is not available in stainless steel and is not available in custom sizes.
Benefits and features include:
• Meets or exceeds requirements of all NFPA fire codes
• Fire tight gasket rated to 2300°F (1260°C)
• Gasket is high-temp bonded to front panel
• Gasket stays on door – will not scrape off
• Positive bolt pattern ensures fire-safe closure
• Back frame reinforces duct cutout
• Constructed of 16 gauge steel
Make Your Commercial Kitchen Safer With Duct Access Doors
Duct access openings should be strategically placed along the length of your ducting. This will make it easier for professionals to access, inspect, and clean your system’s ductwork.
If you’re ready to choose a grease duct access door for your kitchen or restaurant ventilation system, consider the sturdy and reliable line of Flame Gard flat duct access doors. For those with round ducts, we also carry Flame Gard curved access doors.
If you need help deciding which Flame Gard flat duct access door is right for protecting your commercial kitchen, give us a call at 877-394-9731, email us, or live chat with one of our product specialists online. Be sure to check out our wide selection of restaurant ventilation and hood cleaning supplies at www.HoodFilters.com.