Commercial Kitchens

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dnbob

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Rochester, MN
I am putting together an estimate on adding a 50 amp ckt to a commercial kitchen, I was wondering if most of you would use liquidtite to come down the wall from the ceiling or just emt, also what type of box you would use. This will be all surface mounted as the wall is full of plumbing, electric and structural members. The surface is of course all stainless steel.

Thanks,
Bob
 
Re: Commercial Kitchens

The health department might not like the idea of surface mounted conduit (it is a good place for bacteria to grow). Emt and liquidtight may not be a good long-term solution as they would tend to rust through with all the moisture present.

I would lean towards rigid mounted to wall with mini's, or else possibly a heavy SO rubber cord hung from the ceiling with the proper strain reliefs and an aluminum FS box on the end.

Curious to see what others have to say on this issue....
 
Re: Commercial Kitchens

I think if you use EMT with Compression fittings you should be ok. From the work I've had to do in commercial kitchens, the conduits are usually coated in a layer of grease so rust usually isn't a problem.

If it is in an area that gets sprayed down, I would use Rigid conduit.

You will want to make sure the conduit is stood off the wall with a mineralac, nest-back and strap, strut, or the like. This is just to help keep grease and dirt from getting caked onto the conduit. I've never worked in a kitchen where the employees took a great deal of care in keeping conduits or pipes clean (especially under or behind equipment).

You may want to check with the local AHJ to see if there are any special requirements in your area.
 
Re: Commercial Kitchens

It's not my expertise but I have seen and would consider using stainless EMT or conduit.
 
Re: Commercial Kitchens

Physis, is stainless steel EMT easy to get? I have heard of it, but have not installed it. Also do you recommend an FS type box?
Thanks for the replies!
 
Re: Commercial Kitchens

I've had to do work in all kinds of commercial kitchens from Burger King to School Cafeterias to expensive sit down resturaunts and I've never seen stainless EMT used. I've never even seen it offered from any of my suppliers. Someone makes it Cal Pipe Manufacturing , but I've never seen it. I can't imagine you could be very competitive with your bid if someone else is using Steel EMT and you bid Stainless. (5' of 1/2" Stainless conduit list price is $85.58)

The type of box depends on the application and raceway used. If you choose stainless, they make stainless enclosures. You could use anything suitable to the enviroment. Where is it being used? If it's going to get wet, make sure you use a box that is rated for the application.

[ January 14, 2005, 08:44 PM: Message edited by: kpepin ]
 
Re: Commercial Kitchens

Notice that the dimensional chart in the Cal Pipe Manufacturing link shows O.D.'s that match rigid conduit.
Does that company make tubing (EMT) also ?
Just another case where the implication is that the term conduit does not apply to tubing.
 
Re: Commercial Kitchens

It looks like all the stuff they make is threaded. That would be fun to work with in the field. I'm sure cutting, threading, or bending the stuff would be a nightmare.

I found that web page when I was looking for stainless conduit because I had never seen it before and didn't want to look bad by saying it didn't exist just because I've never seen it.
 
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