01
Available documents
Review of supplied mechanical drawings, equipment schedules, commissioning figures or authority correspondence relevant to the requested assessment.
Existing commercial kitchen systems
Airflow Testing & Ventilation Reports
Measured airflow, mechanical ventilation observations and written findings for commercial kitchens with poor capture, odour complaints, altered equipment or an investigation request.
NSW Licence 385443C
Fully Insured
Written Findings
Sydney + Wollongong
Assessment scope
Measurements backed by practical fault finding
The exact scope is agreed before attendance. We combine relevant measurements with observations of the equipment and conditions that can affect commercial kitchen exhaust performance.
02
Airflow measurements
Readings at agreed points, recorded with the system operating state and test conditions so the results have useful context.
03
Capture observations
Visible smoke or fume escape, canopy performance symptoms and obvious changes to the cooking load or equipment arrangement.
04
Make-up air symptoms
Obvious pressure and replacement-air issues that may affect doors, odour movement, fan performance or canopy capture.
05
Fans and controls
Relevant fan condition, VFD speed, starters, operating commands and connected interlocks within the agreed mechanical and electrical scope.
06
Written findings
Measured results, observed defects, scope limitations and practical repair, replacement or further-assessment recommendations.
When to investigate
Useful when the kitchen is operating—but not operating properly
An assessment can help establish the next step when a system has changed, performance is disputed or the cause is not obvious.
- Smoke escaping the canopy
- Cooking odours entering other areas
- Doors difficult to open
- New or changed appliances
- VFD settings have been altered
- Fan replacement did not fix capture
- Council or landlord concerns
- No usable commissioning records
Our process
Define the question before collecting numbers
STEP 01
Confirm the brief
We identify the concern, equipment, requested evidence and documents available for comparison.
STEP 02
Inspect and test
Agreed airflow readings and equipment observations are recorded under the available operating conditions.
STEP 03
Report findings
The report separates measurements, observed defects, assumptions and limitations from recommendations.
STEP 04
Plan the next action
Repair, replacement, further testing or specialist engineering work is identified where required.
AS 1668 considerations
The applicable requirement depends on the site approval
AS 1668.2 contains provisions relevant to mechanical ventilation and commercial kitchen exhaust. However, the edition and compliance pathway for a particular site depend on its approval, design documents and the authority or certifier involved.
Where approved drawings or commissioning criteria are available, measured results can be compared with that information. A later edition of a Standard does not automatically replace the basis of an existing approval.
Related services
Testing should lead to a practical next step
Customer feedback
Technical findings explained in plain English
★★★★★
“Thai was friendly, explained the issues we had and everything that needed to be done. He is very knowledgeable in his field. I would absolutely recommend Altruism!”Helen B · Google review
Frequently asked
Airflow testing and ventilation reports
Does an airflow test certify that the whole system complies?
No. Testing records measurements and observations for the agreed scope and conditions on the day. Whole-building certification may require approved design information and assessment by an appropriately qualified engineer, certifier or authority.
What documents should I provide?
Where available, send approved mechanical drawings, specifications, previous commissioning results, equipment schedules, council or certifier correspondence and details of the issue being investigated.
Can you test a system when no original drawings are available?
We can still record agreed measurements and observed conditions. Without approved design criteria, the report will clearly state the limits on comparison and may recommend engineering or document retrieval as the next step.
What does the $450 + GST assessment include?
It covers an agreed multi-fan assessment and written report. The equipment, access, requested measurements and reporting scope are confirmed beforehand. Additional or specialist testing is quoted separately where required.
Can you provide a rectification quote after the assessment?
Yes. Where the required work falls within our mechanical and electrical service scope, repair or replacement options can be quoted separately. Engineering, certification or specialist cleaning is referred out where appropriate.
Do you clean grease from canopies or ductwork?
No. Altruism NSW does not provide canopy, filter or duct cleaning. Those services should be completed by a specialist commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning contractor.
Request an airflow assessment
Tell us what is happening, who requested the report and what drawings or previous results are available.