Ensuring commercial kitchen safety with sensors and switches

In commercial kitchens, efficiency, safety and air quality are paramount. From restaurant kitchens to large-scale food production facilities, maintaining optimal working conditions is crucial for both productivity and health standards. To achieve this, specialised components like pressure switches, pressure sensors and temperature sensors are incorporated into equipment and systems to ensure compliance with health and safety standards and contribute to a cleaner, safer and more productive kitchen.

Ensuring proper airflow

Air filtration systems, including fume hoods, are essential for maintaining good air quality in commercial kitchens. Pressure switches play a key role in fume hoods by triggering alerts or shutdowns to prevent air contamination when pressure drops. These switches detect pressure changes caused by accumulated grease, dust or particulates, signalling when the filters need maintenance or replacement. Additionally, pressure switches act as a fail-safe mechanism ensuring that if there is a system malfunction, such as a broken fan or blocked exhaust, they system will shut down to prevent dangerous accumulations or smoke, heat or contaminants in the kitchen.

Preventing system failures

Another component also found in air filtration systems is the limit switch. These are used to detect specific mechanical positions within the system. For instance, limit switches monitor whether the air filter is correctly positioned within the housing and will trigger an alert or shutdown if it is improperly placed or removed, thereby preventing unfiltered air from being released into the kitchen or to avoid system damage.

Real-time monitoring with pressure sensors

While pressure switches are on/off devices, pressure sensors provide continuous real-time data about the pressure within the system. This data is sent to a control system, which can make automated adjustments to optimise performance.

In a commercial kitchen, fume hoods rely on maintaining consistent airflow to safely contain hazardous fumes, vapours and particles. Pressure sensors monitor the suction pressure within the hood to ensure proper operation. If the suction pressure falls outside safe ranges, the system triggers an alert, and the automated controls may adjust the fan speed or other variables to restores correct airflow.

Temperature control in fume hoods

Fume hoods are designed to safely contain and exhaust hazardous fumes or particles. Temperature sensors monitor the air temperature inside the fume hood to ensure it stays within safe operating limits as overheating can cause thermal damage to the hood and pose a safety risk to staff. If the temperature exceeds a safe threshold limit, an alarm can be triggered, prompting users to adjust conditions or shut down the process.

Creating a safe, efficient and compliant commercial kitchen requires systems that can actively monitor and respond to changes in real-time. Pressure switches, pressure sensors, limit switches and temperature sensors work together to maintain clean air, prevent equipment failures and protect the health and safety of kitchen staff. Among the products in our portfolio that are used in these applications are the EPT2100 pressure sensor, which has a light stainless steel design and is ideal for cost-sensitive applications, and the ETP21, a robust low-cost temperature sensor that is easily mountable.

If you are looking to upgrade your commercial kitchen with smarter, safer technology, contact us today to learn how our advanced sensors and switches can keep your kitchen running safely and smoothly.