Service

Commercial Kitchen Make-Up Air Fan Repair

Make-up air replaces the air your canopy extracts. When the supply fan fails, the kitchen goes into depression — doors pull shut, appliances flue badly, extract volume collapses and the gas interlock starts tripping.

  • Supply fan, damper, inverter and control repairs
  • Extract and make-up air rebalanced and documented
  • Interlocked so gas cannot run without both fans proven

Symptoms of a make-up air failure

  • Gas interlock trips when extraction runs at full speed
  • Kitchen doors hard to open or whistling around the frames
  • Smoke and steam rolling out of the canopy instead of being drawn up
  • Appliance pilots blowing out or flames lifting
  • Very hot kitchen with a fan that sounds like it is running
  • CO or CO₂ alarms activating in the kitchen

What we repair

  • Supply fan motors, bearings, belts and impellers
  • Inverters, contactors, overloads and control wiring
  • Motorised dampers, actuators and end switches
  • Frost coils, filters and intake grilles
  • Interlock wiring so both extract and supply are proven before gas is released
  • Rebalancing extract to supply so the kitchen sits slightly negative, not starved

If you can smell gas

  • Turn off the gas at the emergency control valve and press the emergency stop button
  • Do not switch anything electrical on or off, and do not use naked flames
  • Open doors and windows, evacuate and keep people clear
  • Call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999
  • Only then call us to make the installation safe and return it to service

Frequently asked questions

Does make-up air have to be interlocked?

Where mechanical make-up air is fitted, the interlock should prove it along with extraction — otherwise the kitchen can cook while heavily depressurised, which is exactly what BS 6173 sets out to prevent.

Why does my gas trip only at busy times?

Because at full extract with no make-up air the kitchen depressurises and extract volume falls below the proving set point. Fixing the supply side usually cures the trips for good.

Can you survey the airflow?

Yes, we measure extract and supply volumes and report against the canopy requirement, then correct the balance.

Do you fit new make-up air fans?

Yes, including replacement supply fans, controls and interlocking.

Related guides

Parts in stock — ready to fit

Held in UK stock and carried on our vans, so most jobs are fixed in one visit.

  • Replacement gas interlock systems

    Merlin, Medem, Intelligas, S&S Northern

    In stock today

  • Air pressure switches

    Fan & gas proving pressure switches

    In stock today

  • Gas solenoid valves

    Normally closed safety shut-off valves

    In stock today

  • Quick release gas catering hoses

    Commercial ranges, bays & mobile catering

    In stock today

  • Super universal thermocouples

    Fits most commercial gas appliances

    In stock today

  • Need a part fitted?

    Same-day engineer dispatch with these parts on the van.

  • Gas Safe Registered

    Commercial catering & plant

  • 24/7 UK Response

    Same-day emergency dispatch

  • Vetted Engineers

    DBS checked for schools & care

  • Transparent Pricing

    Fixed callout, quoted parts

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