Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/51756
Trends continued cant trends in kitchen ventilation today, no exhaust ventilation at all. Ventless hood systems, ventless high-temp dish- washers and speed ovens have prolifer- ated in the QS and FC markets and can be seen in thousands of Subways, Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks all over the world. However, ventless exhaust equipment can be misused and oversold when a true exhaust system would be a much better solution for the end users. With the exception of some very high-end kiosk systems with built-in energy recovery,95 percent of ventless systems have little or no impact on reducing heat or odor, which are the two major reasons for a CKV system, along with grease collection. Ventless hoods or appliances have created odor problems when used in non-traditional locations like hotel and office lobbies, atrium spaces, and small pantries, etc., where general ventilation is limited and odors are often sucked into the gener- al building exhaust, so everyone in the building can smell onion rings or egg sandwiches. Marketplace Shifts There has been a broadening of the CKV channel's scope of influencewhere historically that influence was left pri- marily in the consultant's hands.Today it includes the consultant, mechanical engineer, foodservice equipment deal- er, and the general or mechanical con- tractor.This growing number of players requiresmanufacturers to supportmore channels to defend the specifications. In some segments like chain restaurants, the CKV has been almost completely taken out of the foodservice equipment dealer's realm. As due dates become shorter and shorter, another trend is speed of response. Speed and accuracy are a challenging combination and best suit- ed to the experienced vs. the novice. Nevertheless, our channel is very good and the whole of our work has helped improve ventilation and deliver,which is what end users need and want. Lastly, hood manufacturers continue to send mixed messages, where those promoting science and performance rub against those promoting sizzle and price.This is certainly not a new trend, but one that ramps up during sluggish times as CKV companies reach to take their share from one another. People People selling or planning ventilation systems need to focus on two issues. It's far better to have technical savvy than sales savvy and better to know what's relevant than to assume. These trends go hand in hand. Being technically accurate on the right stuff matters a lot because there is no time for do-overs in design and no money for do-overs after installation. People in ventilation must be subject-matter experts and keen to the category's regulatory and geographic nuances. To assume that continued on page 38 36 FEDA News & Views