Short answer: Commissioning should verify the installed treatment sequence, measured airflow, pressure conditions, cell/filter fit, ESP electrical operation, UV lamp/control status, carbon identity and seals, fan proving, alarms, shutdowns and operator handover. It must be coordinated with the extract and supply-air system at representative operating modes.
A green power light cannot prove capture, treatment or safe control. The project needs an agreed test plan, calibrated measurements and signed results. Product commissioning and ventilation balancing may be performed by different people, but one responsible party should verify the integrated system.
Important: This guide explains design questions; it is not a product selection, planning approval or performance guarantee. A competent designer should assess the actual kitchen, air system, discharge and maintenance conditions.
Pre-start inspection
Confirm equipment tags and models match the approved schedule. Inspect cells, filters, blanking plates, lamps, access doors, seals, drains, supports, isolators and airflow direction. Check that ducts are clean enough for start-up and that loose packaging has not been left in housings.
- Correct component sequence and orientation.
- No missing cells or bypass gaps.
- Access doors close and seal.
- Electrical and structural completion certified.
- Safe work and isolation arrangements in place.
Functional and airflow testing
Start extract and supply systems in the approved sequence. Measure airflow and compare with design. Prove the ESP/UV equipment cannot run in an unsafe no-flow state, and verify alarms, fault relays, indicator lamps and shutdown response. Test demand-control modes individually where fitted.
- Total and branch airflow.
- Clean-system pressure readings.
- Fan-proving and treatment enable.
- Fault simulation permitted by manufacturer.
- Gas/fire/BMS interfaces where applicable.
Handover and baseline records
Record carbon media, lamp hours, cell condition, inverter settings, pressure readings and measured air volumes. Train operators to recognise alarms and maintenance triggers without opening live equipment. Issue manuals, drawings, service contacts and a schedule for the first inspection.
- Signed commissioning sheets.
- As-installed schematic and equipment schedule.
- Baseline pressure/airflow data.
- Consumables and spare-cell information.
- Operator training attendance.
What the observation may be telling you
| Observation | What it may mean | Correct next step |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment powers up | Only confirms electrical supply | Continue with airflow and function tests |
| ESP enabled without fan | Control safety deficiency | Correct before handover |
| Airflow below design | Capture and treatment may fail | Resolve fan/resistance/balance |
| Carbon gaps visible | Untreated bypass path | Refit/seal before testing |
| No baseline pressure data | Future loading cannot be compared | Measure and record clean condition |
A practical evidence workflow
Planning evidence and commissioning evidence answer different questions but should describe the same installed system. The first explains why the proposal should control impact; the second proves what was actually fitted and how it performed on the day of test.
- Freeze the operating brief. Record appliances, fuel, menu, hours, peak demand and delivery constraints. Note assumptions that may change, such as a future chargrill or later opening hours, because they can alter both treatment duty and planning risk.
- Issue a coordinated specification. Align the drawings, equipment schedule, treatment stages, duct route, discharge, access, acoustic measures, utilities, controls and maintenance requirements. Assign responsibility for every interface.
- Inspect before concealment. Photograph labels, access panels, fire-rated penetrations, drains, isolators, controls and service clearances. Resolve substitutions against the approved performance requirement rather than accepting a similar-looking unit.
- Commission and close out. Measure airflow and relevant pressure, electrical, water, gas, temperature or control values. Record test conditions, instruments and defects. Retest corrective work and provide the operator with the final evidence set.
Keep a useful record: Use a controlled index for drawings, calculations, product data, approvals, test sheets, certificates, photographs, training and maintenance information. Mark superseded versions clearly. A concise, traceable pack is stronger than hundreds of unindexed pages.
Project or service checks
- Agree a commissioning method statement.
- Use calibrated airflow/pressure instruments.
- Test every operating and fault mode.
- Photograph filter/cell configuration.
- Record carbon type and lamp/cell serial details where useful.
- Train operators on alarms and escalation.
- Issue all results before final acceptance.
Turn the agreed checks into named deliverables. Each item should have an owner, due date and acceptance method. Where a measurement is required, record the value, unit, instrument or source, operating condition and result. This makes the information usable at handover and during a later investigation.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Signing off from a visual start-up.
- Commissioning treatment before air balancing.
- Leaving carbon wrapped or cells incorrectly oriented.
- Failing to test interlocks.
- Handing over without service arrangements.
Avoid closing the issue on appearance alone. A new filter, reset controller or revised drawing may change the symptom without resolving the underlying duty, utility, access or maintenance problem. Confirm the completed work under a representative operating condition and keep the evidence with the asset or ventilation record.
Frequently asked questions
Who should commission the filtration?
Competent specialists familiar with the selected equipment and ventilation system, coordinated under the project’s named commissioning responsibility.
Should cooking be operating during tests?
Airflow and controls can be tested without production, but capture/containment and performance observations may require representative cooking under a safe agreed method.
What should be retested after maintenance?
At minimum the serviced component, seals, alarms and safe operation. Major changes should trigger airflow and integrated recommissioning.
Related Kitchen Install Guide reading
- What Should a Kitchen Extraction Quote Include?
- Commercial Kitchen Make-Up Air Explained
- Electrical Information for a Kitchen Equipment Schedule
Capture the installation and commissioning detail
Use the KIG 318 Commercial Kitchen Installation Checklist to record interfaces, checks, outstanding actions and the evidence needed at handover.
Sources and further guidance
- BESA: DW/172 Specification for Kitchen Ventilation Systems
- HSE: Ventilation of kitchens and catering establishments
- Purified Air: Commercial kitchen ESP systems
- Purified Air: Commercial kitchen UV-O systems
- Extechnology: ESP, carbon and UV-C maintenance schedules
Last reviewed: 14 August 2026. This article provides general commercial-kitchen design information. It does not replace a site-specific ventilation design, manufacturer instructions, risk assessment, planning conditions or advice from a competent specialist.