Adding Vent Front of Brownstone (non-historic)

Hello Everyone,

Besides getting a permit, is there any restrictions to create an opening on the front of a brownstone that is used for exhaust smoke from cooking? I live on Adelphi street in Brooklyn and just purchased my first brownstone. The kitchen faces the front side of the building. Unfortunately for me the kitchen didn’t have a way to exhaust smoke from cooking so we are looking to vent the smoke to the front. But not sure if it is allowed.

darcelcoleman21

in General Discussion 4 years and 3 months ago

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Guest User | 4 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "3"
string(6) "200749"

See photo: you barely notice the soffit.
https://www.brownstoner.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/brooklyn-design-brownstone-boys-renovation-kitchen-inspiration.jpg

Guest User | 4 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "3"
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We dropped only in the area of the soffit. Soffits aren’t really as bad as you think visually. and the cabinets can just line up right under etc.

hkapstein | 4 years and 3 months ago

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Yeah I agree with that. There’s no way you’ll get by the joists with without dropping the ceiling though. 3.5″ would probably be enough with the rectagular duct, but I still wouldn’t do it.

There are some other tricks, like for example you could hide it in or on top of the cabinets, and then maybe find a way to cross the back parlor, perhaps there are built ins there, or another architectural feature you could use to hide it.

Another idea, maybe you could run it up the chimney? There’s probably a flue for fireplace, and I’m guessing you’re not using a fireplace in the kitchen.

darcelcoleman21 | 4 years and 3 months ago

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Cant sacrifice reducing the length of these high ceilings for a vent. One of the many perks of owning an old brownstone

hkapstein | 4 years and 3 months ago

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Cool. Roof is probably a better bet unless you want to drop the ceiling 8 inches or run a soffit.

darcelcoleman21 | 4 years and 3 months ago

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Cant thank you enough for the detailed feedback. This information plus discussing further with my contractor we are going to find a different way in exhausting the smoke. We are looking at going through the wall and riding it 3 flights up to the roof. Based on where the kitchen is located(front of the building) putting it to the back add complexity however we are yet to open the ceiling to see if there is enough space to feed the ducts.
If there is enough space then having it run to the back is possible.

hkapstein | 4 years and 3 months ago

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An architect or mechanicals engineer would be the person to talk to. It’s tricky to find someone for something like this, if you have an architect on the project you have them look into it or consult someone. The mechanical code has a lot to say on this topic, here’s some, but not all of the rules. There are other codes which may apply, like the building or housing maintenance code. If you can go out the back that is better for a number of reasons. First you don’t have the sidewalk issue, and second, no one will really care or notice the exhaust. But putting a 6 inch grill on your front facade and blasting greasy air out is sure to noticed and disliked by neighbors, particularly if it’s noisy, which it likely will be. Are you going to file a mechanical permit for it? If not, it probably doesn’t matter whether you try to follow the rules or not. I don’t think I would do this even if I could get a permit for it. Do you really want everyone entering your house or walking by getting a noseful of whatever you’re cooking?

One thing of note, the interior wall on your front fa cade is probably set back from the brick creating an air gap for insulation purposes, assuming this an old brownstone. You can probably get a duct in there and run it up to the roof. 6 or 8 inch round might work depending on the hood and distance, but it’s probably workable. If space is tight a 3.5×10 rectangular duct is probably close to a 6 inch round in capacity. There may be other options if you have closets and things to work with where you could hide a duct.

In Occupancy Groups R-2 and R-3 each dwelling unit may be individually exhausted directly to the outdoors with a dedicated, exhaust fan and shall comply with the following:
The exhaust system for the kitchen and the toilet/baths may be combined to the inlet of a continuously operated single fan, provided such exhaust system serves only one dwelling unit.
The dedicated exhaust from each dwelling unit shall be directed away from any window serving the same dwelling unit from which the exhaust is taken, and in addition, such exhaust opening shall terminate at least:
Two feet (610 mm) from any operational window or door serving the same dwelling unit.
Three feet (1219 mm) from any operational window or door serving an adjoining dwelling unit.
Three feet (1219 mm) from any operational window or door serving another occupancy group in the same building.
Ten feet (3048 mm) from any outdoor air intake opening.
Ten feet (3048 mm) above the public sidewalk adjoining the same building.
All other minimum distances prescribed in Items 1 through 5 of Section 501.2.1 shall be satisfied.

501.2.1.1 Exhaust Discharge

Exhaust air shall not be directed onto walkways.

andriywww1990 | 4 years and 3 months ago

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that guy gennady who writes on here will know.

Guest User | 4 years and 3 months ago

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Though 506.3.12.3 seems to indicate it’s going to be tough to do it from the front due to distance from lot lines.

Guest User | 4 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "3"
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Someone here will respond soon. I’ve actually called 311 and asked the DOB in the past because my plumber didn’t seem to know something (it wasn’t something common and that’s probably why). Sometimes the DOB can be very helpful.

darcelcoleman21 | 4 years and 3 months ago

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Thank you very much! Do you have a person who you can recommend that knows the code and will be able to consult with.

Guest User | 4 years and 3 months ago

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Someone who knows the code will have to answer regarding the front. But below may be helpful once you have that info.

506.3.12.1 Termination above the roof.
Exhaust outlets that terminate above the roof shall have the discharge opening located not less than 40 inches (1016 mm) above the roof surface. The exhaust flow shall be directed away from the surface of the roof.

506.3.12.2 Termination through an exterior wall.
Exhaust outlets shall be permitted to terminate through exterior walls where the smoke, grease, gases, vapors and odors in the discharge from such terminations do not create a public nuisance or a fire hazard. Such terminations shall not be located where protected openings are required by the New York City Building Code. Other exterior openings shall not be located within 3 feet (914 mm) of such terminations.

506.3.12.3 Termination location.
Exhaust outlets shall be located not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) horizontally from parts of the same or contiguous buildings, adjacent buildings and adjacent property lines and shall be located not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) above the adjoining grade level. Exhaust outlets shall be located not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) horizontally from and not less than 3 feet (914 mm) above air intake openings into any building.
Exception: Exhaust outlets shall terminate not less than 5 feet (1524 mm) from parts of the same or contiguous building, an adjacent building, adjacent property line and air intake openings into a building where air from the exhaust outlet discharges away from such locations.

darcelcoleman21 | 4 years and 3 months ago

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Its a 3 floor brownstone. Getting it to the roof would cost more and be more work

Guest User | 4 years and 3 months ago

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Can you vent up and out through the roof ?