Have you been looking for a Ductmate flat access door for your commercial kitchen? If so, you may have noticed a recommendation in the product description or video to use the insulated versus uninsulated door for negative pressure applications.
If you don’t know what a negative pressure application is, you’re not alone. To help you understand, we are providing a brief overview of what negative pressure applications are so that you can choose the right Ductmate flat access door – insulated or uninsulated – for your needs.
What is negative pressure?
Most of the time, when people hear the term negative pressure in relation to commercial ventilation, they think of an unbalanced HVAC system where there is an inadequate supply of make-up air. However, there is also a situation where negative pressure is purposely created and maintained for a specific reason. We’ll explore the basics of both, discuss the differences between them, and discuss the benefits and recommended uses of insulated Ductmate flat access doors.
How does negative pressure affect restaurants and commercial kitchens?
Maintaining proper air pressure is important in all commercial kitchen ventilation systems, and an unbalanced air flow in a restaurant or dining facility can really wreak havoc on both the kitchen staff and the patrons of the establishment.
What causes negative air pressure?
When more air is being removed from a space than is being replaced, it creates negative pressure. This means that the air pressure inside of the building is less than the air pressure outside of the building. This is often caused by upblast ventilator fans pulling our more air than the make-up air supply is putting back in.
What happens when air pressure is too low?
When air pressure is too low, it can cause a whole host of problems. If your facility has a problem with negative pressure, you might see extra condensation on windows, air vents and other surfaces. This moisture can lead to mold and mildew. Negative pressure can also create inconsistent temperatures with hot and cold spots. It can also make doors incredibly difficult to open and may also cause doors to quickly slam shut with no warning.
The Hidden Costs of an Unbalanced HVAC System
One of the most overlooked consequences of a ventilation system with unbalanced air pressure is an increase in utility costs as building occupants try to make thermostat adjustments that just end up making the system even more inefficient. This in turn creates even more air quality problems, often results in excessive kitchen grease buildup, and can increase risk of dangerous back drafts in the kitchen.
How are problems with negative air pressure solved?
Balancing the pressure by adding a make-up air fan is typically the most common solution. If you think you are dealing with a negative air pressure situation in your commercial kitchen, you should consult with a professional.
Intentional negative pressure applications
So, if negative pressure is bad, especially for restaurants and commercial kitchens, why would anyone want to intentionally create a space with negative pressure? Well, as we mentioned earlier, negative air pressure is when the air pressure inside of a building is lower than that of the outside. Negative pressure applications are created for spaces such as hospital isolation rooms and biochemical testing sites. This is typically done to keep possible contaminants from escaping the area.
Should I get an insulated or uninsulated Ductmate flat access door?
If you are using a duct access door for a negative pressure application, you will definitely the insulated model. In order to create a negative pressure situation, windows, doors, and other openings must be properly sealed. This is the reason you need an insulated air duct access door. Insulation provides added leak protection around the outside edge of the door to help avoid any potential complications that could compromise room negative pressure.
However, if you are using the door for a typical ventilation application, you have the option to choose either insulated or with uninsulated. Both Ductmate sandwich access doors provide leak-proof seals but the insulated door has added protection.
One last important note. Neither the insulated or uninsulated Ductmate flat access doors are rated for use with grease duct applications. These air duct access doors are only rated to 200°F and for grease duct access, you will need a door that is rated to 2300°F. HoodFilters.com carries a complete selection of both types so don’t worry, we have you covered! One of our best-selling grease duct access doors is the Ductmate F2.
Here’s a short video you can watch to learn a little more about the Ductmate flat access doors we carry:
More About the Ductmate Flat Access Door
What is the Ductmate Flat Access Door?
The Ductmate flat access door is a simple to install sandwich style air duct access door available in both insulated and uninsulated models. The Ductmate access door provides a solid, leak-proof seal with easy access into air ducts and HVAC units.
What does it do?
Ductmate sandwich access doors make it easy to clean out dust and other debris that can build up over time, and can cause your restaurant hood system to run less efficiently or even cause a fire. Dirty ductwork may cause bacteria and mold growth, unwanted pests, and a variety of other health and safety hazards. With the addition of an air duct access door, there is better access to hard to reach areas.
How do you install it?
Installation of a Ductmate access door is simple and requires very few tools. A properly installed air duct access door will provide an air-proof, leak-proof seal that allows convenient access without compromising the safety or efficiency of your system.
HoodFilters.com offers Ductmate sandwich access doors for commercial, industrial, institutional and residential applications including uninsulated, insulated, and hi-temp air duct access doors. If you have questions about which access door is right for you or need help finding something else, just give us a call at 877.394.9731, send us an email, or chat with one of our product specialists online.