Every cubic metre of air extracted from a commercial kitchen must be replaced. Without a proper supply air system, the kitchen becomes negatively pressured — doors are difficult to open, extraction performance falls dramatically, cold draughts are drawn in under doors, and energy is wasted. A balanced supply air system resolves all of these issues and is often required for building regulations compliance.
System design — we calculate the required supply air volume to balance extraction and achieve a neutral or slight negative pressure.
Filtered supply units — air supplied to the kitchen is filtered to remove outdoor particulates, providing a cleaner working environment.
Mechanical supply fans — dedicated supply fans ensure adequate air is delivered regardless of building stack effects or wind pressure.
Ductwork and grille installation — correctly positioned supply air diffusers to avoid interfering with capture at the canopy.
Improved extraction performance — a balanced system allows the extract fan to operate at its designed duty point, improving grease capture and airflow.
Comfortable working environment — eliminating negative pressure and cold draughts significantly improves kitchen working conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a make-up air or supply air system?
A make-up air system introduces fresh air into the kitchen to replace the air being extracted by the canopy fan. Without it, the kitchen becomes negatively pressured, which causes extraction performance to fall and creates uncomfortable working conditions.
Is a supply air system required for my kitchen?
Building regulations and good practice guidance recommend that commercial kitchens have a balanced supply and extract system. If your kitchen shows signs of negative pressure — doors that are hard to open, cold draughts under doors, poor extraction despite a correctly sized fan — a supply air system is likely needed.
Can a supply air system be added to an existing kitchen?
Yes. Supply air systems are routinely retrofitted. We assess available routes for supply ductwork and the best location for the supply unit before designing a system that works within your building constraints.