Your vent hood and exhaust fan are in place and now you’re ready to install your make-up air fan. If you’ve purchased our economy make-up air fan, here is what you need to know about correctly setting it up to replace your exhaust air.
Check Your Equipment
Before installing any new commercial kitchen equipment, you should always closely inspect the equipment both inside and out. Also confirm that all accessory items are damage free and accounted for.
On the economy make-up air fan, it is important to test the blower wheel. Just give it a few turns by hand to verify it has free rotation. Next, if you have one, check the damper to ensure it operates freely as well. If anything appears broken or is missing, give us a call. We’ll take care of it and get a new replacement item sent out to you right away.
Be Safe
Before installing this make-up air unit, take the proper safety precautions. Please be sure to read the entire Installation, Operation, and Maintenance Manual before installing or servicing your new make-up air unit.
Always disconnect power before doing any work. Please note that the economy make-up air unit is designed to be installed and operated with specific airflow and electrical supply outlined by the manual.
When handling the make-up air fan by the hood, blower, motor shaft, or bearings, always use the provided lifting lugs or a sling. Remember that improper installation can pose serious risks of injury. Electric shock and dangerous contact with rotating equipment are just a couple of the potential hazards.
Prepare Your Site
The first step in preparing your site is selecting a location. You will probably want to locate the make-up air unit close to the area it will serve. This will help keep duct runs shorter and avoid unnecessary twists. Be sure to locate the fan discharge a minimum of 10 feet from any supply intakes. Check with NFPA-96 and other state and local building codes for details on any additional requirements.
Roof Mounting Your Make-up Air Unit
Make-up air supply units being roof mounted should be installed on top of a prefabricated or factory made roof curb. Make sure that your discharge is a minimum of 40 inches above the surface of the roof.
Typically, you will bring the power cord through the conduit tube on the top skirt which is located on the outside of the make-up air unit. Then you can secure the curb through the vertical part of the fan base assembly flange. Use at least eight lug screws or anchor bolts to do so.
Confirm that the power line wiring is de-energized before you connect the fan motor to power source. Then, connect the power supply wiring to the fan motor. Check motor nameplate or terminal box cover for details. Always confirm that your power source is compatible with the specific requirements of your equipment.
Check the fan wheel again to make sure it has free rotation. Also check any fasteners to confirm they are securely tightened. Re-install the motor dome and when you’re done, feel free to power up.
Wall Mounting Your Make-up Air Fan
Wall mounting is not recommended for fans with wheels of 30” or more but the economy make-up air units we carry are both suitable at either 14” or 18”. OSHA regulations do require any ventilator that is wall mounted be located at least eight fee above the floor or ground level.
If you are installing your make-up air fan on a masonry wall, you will need to prepare an opening and install an angle iron frame of at least 2” x 2” x ¼”. The frame must be about ½” smaller than the inside dimension of the fan base.
Lead cinch-type anchors should be secured three per side, with non-ferrous bolts. Mount the fan to the mounting angle, three per side, using self-tapping sheet metal screws. A 2” x 2” wooden frame must be installed. It should be about ½” smaller than the inside dimension of the fan base.
Secure the wooden frame with counter-sunk expansion lag bolts, three per side. Then mount the unit, three per side, to the frame with 3/8” minimum square head wood screws. If you have steel wall mount brackets, coat the mounting flange connections with caulking compound or some other approved waterproof sealer.
Electrical and Wiring
As they say, better safe than sorry, so before you connect power to the make-up air fan, read the entire instruction manual and make sure you completely understand everything.
As-built wiring diagrams are available for the fan and all electrical wiring and connections must be done in accordance with any local or state ordinances as well as the National Electric Code, ANSI/NFPA70.
Check the voltage and phase of the power supply to confirm that the wire amperage capacity matches the nameplate on the motor. If you’d like additional information on safety regulations, you may want to check out the AMCA publication 410-96, Recommended Safety Practices for Users and Installers of Industrial and Commercial Fans.
Here are a few standard precautions you should take:
- Always disconnect the electrical power before beginning work on or near a make-up air fan.
- Lock and tag the fan’s disconnect switch or circuit breaker in order to prevent an accidental power up
- All fans come standard with a disconnect switch. Familiarize yourself with the location of your fan’s disconnect switch so that you can react quickly if needed.
- According to the National Electric Code, you must have a dedicated branch circuit set up to supply the motor circuit with short circuit protection. The dedicated branch must be run to the junction box.
- Ensure that the power source is compatible with any requirements of your fan. The nameplate will identify the proper phase and voltage of the motor.
- Before you connect your make-up air unit to a power source, verify that the power line wiring is de-energized.
- Always secure the power cable to avoid any contact with sharp objects.
- Do not kink the power cable and don’t let the power cable come in contact with any grease, oil, hot surfaces, or chemicals.
- Before powering the unit on, check the fan wheel for free rotation and confirm that the interior of the fan clean and free of any loose debris or shipping materials.
- Fans equipped with hinge kits require adequate slack in the wiring so that the fan has free range of motion and can be tilted back into the open position without damaging the wiring.
If you aren’t sure about some of the instructions in the installation manual for your economy make-up air fan, give us a call at877-394-9731 to speak with one of our product specialists. Or you can email us or live chat with us online. Still need to purchase your make-up air supply unit? Have a look at our full selection of heated and unheated supply fans with capacities ranging from 2000 to 5500 CFM.