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NFPA 96 Compliance Products & Services

Why Are Exhaust Fan Hinge Kits Important?

  • They allow the exhaust fan to be lifted back and tilted securely for proper cleaning and maintenance.

  • To protect the fan wiring. Exhaust fan wiring is stretched when the fan is taken off the stack and placed on the roof. Without a hinge kit, the fan wiring is subject to unnecessary abuse during cleaning and maintenance.

  • To protect the exhaust fan. The exhaust fan can be damaged over time by removing it from the stack repeatedly and placing it on its side. Without a hinge kit, exhaust cleaners are forced to wrangle with the fan bowl and set it directly on the roof. This results in the fan bowl being damaged and fans being knocked off balance.

  • To prevent roof damage. Rooftop damage and leaks can be the result of placing the exhaust fan on the roof during cleaning or maintenance.

  • It keeps you in compliance. Hinge kits are required by NFPA 96 for all exhaust upblast fans.

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    NFPA 96 Code 8.1.1.1 states: "Approved up-blast fans with motors surrounded by the air stream shall be hinged, supplied with flexible weather proof electrical cable and service hold-open retainers, and listed for this use. "

    One of the service requirements with Rooftop Solutions is to have our service technician conduct a full inspection of all equipment being serviced. Part of the inspection includes making sure all exhaust ventilators are hinged properly.

    Fan Hinge Kits Brochure (PDF)


    Fan Access Panels

    If you can't visibly see the area you are trying to clean then you can't property clean or verify the cleanliness of those "hard to access areas". Even the slightest grease or carbon build up on the exhaust fan blades can be enough to cause the fan to become off balance. In the end this causes noisy fans, roof vibrations, and unnecessary belt wear and generally costly bearing failure.


    nfpa
    NFPA 96 Code 8.1.5.3 states: "Upblast fans shall be supplied with an access opening a minimum of 76 mm by 127 mm (3 in by 5 in) on the curvature of the outer fan housing to allow for cleaning and inspection of the fan blades. "