Range hood lights - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

John · 03-06-2007, 11:58 AM

I had to take out some range hood lights for a kitchen rehab. Does anybody know of a work around for replacing them. It is a 12 foot range hood and had 6 vaportight fixtures under the hood and the customer wants the lights put back. I know NEC 410.4(C) and NFPA 96 says I cannot put them back.

MDShunk · 03-06-2007, 02:20 PM

I don't know what to say. What do you feel the objection to putting them back, specifically, is? Every large hood that I've ever done has those mason jar type fixtures up in there. I see that 410.4(C) can be complied with if you use those vapor tight fixtures and either stub through at each fixture or wire in EMT or IMC. It doesn't seem that NFPA 96 has the force of law in your state, near as I can gather. Is this a resi or commercial kitchen?

John · 03-06-2007, 03:26 PM

This is a commercial kitchen in a town that has tight ass electrical inspectors and I want to make sure. The hood did have the (mason jar) vapor tight light fixtures with guards and with RMC running inside the hood. I did assume that this was the standard way of installing them because I have installed them this way in the past. But shouldn't the RMC/IMC/EMT have been run on the outside of the hood because of NEC 410.4(C)(4)? Plus I cannot find a cut sheet stating that these fixtures can be used in the hood.

MDShunk · 03-06-2007, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John

But shouldn't the RMC/IMC/EMT have been run on the outside of the hood because of NEC 410.4(C)(4)?

Yes, it would appear so. The handbook commentary seems to clear that up. I wonder when this section was added, anyhow? I see raceways for the lights in the hoods so regularly, I why I wonder. Thanks for bringing this up. It's interesting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by John

Plus I cannot find a cut sheet stating that these fixtures can be used in the hood.

That would be a problem, so it would seem. I'm pretty sure the EPCO fixtures I use are okay'd for corrosive locations. I'll check to see.

MDShunk · 03-06-2007, 04:40 PM

For those following along at home, here's the code text with the handbook commentary:

MDShunk · 03-06-2007, 04:44 PM

Here's the link to the EPCO fixtures I use in barns, nasty damp cellars, walk-in boxes, commercial kitchen hoods, etc. They are noted to be corrosion resistant in the literature.

http://www.engproducts.com/OurProduc...asp?SubSecID=9

John · 03-06-2007, 05:53 PM

Here is another brand which is about the same as the EPCO, but it doesn't really say they can be installed in a commercial cooking hood.

http://www.rabweb.com/product_detail.php?product=VLX1

John · 03-07-2007, 10:44 AM

I found a light fixture that is intended to go in a range hood and I am going to use it. It is expensive @$270.00 each and it says it is suitable for commerical cooking hoods.

http://www.paramountlighting.com/new...s/fj9_1-05.pdf

MDShunk · 03-07-2007, 06:10 PM

Wow... that's a super nice light. The price doesn't seem too bad, considering that it's a SS enclosed flourescent strip. That'll be better light anyhow.

robertwilber · 03-07-2007, 06:53 PM

these guys actually claim their lights are for hoods...

http://www.kurtzon.com/Catalog/FoodP...ENLIGHTING.pdf

Louieb · 03-19-2007, 02:47 PM

learned something already thanks! How about when the ansul system deploys do you have to have everything electrical including lights shut down,its required here in NJ ,(Everything under the hood) allot of the super food stores use shunt trip mainbreakers for their kitchen panels for this purpose.I dont know if its a NFPA requirement or not.

robertwilber · 03-19-2007, 11:34 PM

I don't know about shutting off lights
Last hood I did shut down gas when ansul system went, but not lights
Only shunt trip breaker we had was for the HVAC panel feed, which tripped on Fire Alarm activation
Actually, we were required to keep exhaust fan running to draw extinguishing chemicals through the exhaust to put out presumed exhaust duct fire.