An exhaust hood or canopy, ductwork, fan system, and a way to adequately replace make-up air (air lost during the ventilation process) are all components of a typical kitchen ventilation system. The entire system must be a fire-safe assembly inside the building. Kitchen odors are drawn into the hood, dispersed through vents, and then expelled from the structure by the fan system. Through make-up air vents, an equal volume of replacement air (also known as make-up air) is brought into the kitchen from the outside.

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