The lingering odor of grease and food in a school cafeteria does more than dampen appetites—it can affect students with respiratory sensitivities and poses a greater health risk to kitchen staff. In fact, health and safety extend beyond ingredient selection and meal preparation to the overall kitchen environment. All cooking equipment continuously generates heat and airborne pollutants that must be effectively removed.
Compounding this challenge is the growing trend of open-plan kitchens, which integrate cooking and dining areas to enhance transparency and engagement. While visually appealing, this layout significantly complicates airflow control. Without a ventilation system capable of operating efficiently during limited service hours, heat and odors readily escape into the dining area. Achieving this performance while balancing cost and energy performance makes proper kitchen ventilation crucial—not only for the health and comfort of students and staff, but for the overall sustainability of school operations.
Halton kitchen ventilation solutions: Tackling the Demands of School kitchens
The Capture Jet hood with Perimeter jets is highly efficient kitchen ventilation hoods that remove contaminated air and excess heat emitted by cooking equipment, helping to provide a comfortable and clean environment. The incorporated Capture Jets on all open sides improve the capture and containment of the airflows generated by the cooking equipment. Furthermore, the overall exhaust airflow rate can be reduced up to 50% from those of traditional kitchens.
The M.A.R.V.E.L. control platform is at the forefront of Demand-Controlled Ventilation (DCV) technology, offering a targeted solution for the unique demands of school kitchens. Its core function is to intelligently adjust exhaust levels in real-time based on which cooking appliances are active. This capability allows for an accurate signal for incoming replacement air, ensuring space balance as the system varies the exhaust during operation. If only one cooking zone is in use, the system adjusts airflow only to that specific hood, allowing other zones to operate at a lower, energy-saving level. This granular control means a zone can be as small as a single hood section, leading to substantial energy savings across the entire school kitchen operation.
Sustainable Wellbeing in School Kitchens
When we talk about reducing exhaust airflow rates in school kitchens—a key benefit of the combined Capture Jet™ Technology and M.A.R.V.E.L.—we are ultimately talking about creating a healthier and more comfortable environment. This means not only lower noise and drafts but, more importantly, effective containment of heat, grease, and odors for the wellbeing of students and staff.
This is what Halton kitchen ventilation system delivers: a foundation for sustainable wellbeing that transforms the entire kitchen and dining environment.
To learn more about our innovative solutions for educational facilities, please click here.
