During the operation of commercial kitchen exhaust systems, makeup air must be supplied in relation to exhaust air. What must this relationship be?

In commercial kitchen exhaust systems, it is crucial to maintain a balance between the amount of exhaust air being removed and the makeup air being supplied. The correct relationship is that the makeup air must be equal to the exhaust air. This balance is necessary to ensure that the kitchen operates efficiently and safely.

When exhaust air is pulled out of the kitchen, it creates a negative pressure that can lead to various issues such as backdrafting, air quality problems, and inefficient operation of kitchen appliances. If the makeup air is not sufficient to replace the exhaust air, it can lead to a situation where insufficient air is available, which can create dangerous conditions and impact the performance of cooking equipment.

Thus, ensuring that the makeup air supplied is equal to the exhaust air helps maintain consistent airflow, improves safety, and optimizes kitchen operations.