Extractor Fan vs Cooker Hood

ranchababs

We’re renovating my kitchen/diner to be open plan with my hob located on what is effectively an island. We have removed the internal wall against which the hob used to be, which included a cooker hood that wasn’t ducted outside, and was f(I believe) recirculating. We do have a small vent/fan on the upper wall in the corner (removed as part of the works, but did have a cord so I assume was a proper extractor fan like you find in a bathroom - we just never used it)

My question is, with building regs in mind, would reinstalling an appropriate extractor in the external wall as before be sufficient, or must I have a cooker hood? There was no outside ducting extraction originally, just the dummy hood. Smells/grease are not issues. It’s a large, sealed, food only room with large windows & French doors so not fussed about extraction from a smells perspective. 

Any advice would be great, happy to share photos!

grumbler

ranchababs said:

My question is, with building regs in mind, would reinstalling an appropriate extractor in the external wall as before be sufficient, or must I have a cooker hood?

I'm pretty sure it's the former. No hood is required.

ranchababs

Thanks for your reply @grumbler. Hoping that’s the case. More so because I didn’t touch the previous hood in the three years in was in place but certainly less so because I’ve been told recirculating hoods are pretty useless anyway!

fenwick458

the requirement is for mechanical ventilation of at least 30l/s if it's above the hob, 60l/s if it's not above the hob. doesn't specify what type eg cooker hood or fan but what you will find is it's difficult to get a fan powerful enough to satisfy the requirements so most end up with a cooker hood for that reason
also just to be clear, part F of the building regulations doesn't even come into play unless it's a new build, extension, or for any other reason you have asked them to come round to inspect the work you've just carried out

ranchababs

Ah that’s interesting - I’ve had one involved with the renno as we’re having an RSJ installed, just conscious of fielding any issues down the line.