🍽️ Dover College Kitchen Extraction System Installation: Modernising a Historic Kitchen in Kent

🏫 Project Overview: Revamping Dover College’s Kitchen for Better Efficiency and Safety

Dover College, an independent co-educational school in Kent, caters to children aged 3 to 18 years. The College is situated in the historic grounds of a 12th-century Benedictine Priory, with stunning views and a beautiful refectory hall. The College prides itself on offering a vibrant international community and a commitment to academic excellence alongside a holistic education.

As part of an ongoing effort to improve the College’s facilities, we were tasked with upgrading the kitchen ventilation system to meet modern standards. The kitchen, though well-equipped, was in need of significant improvements to comply with gas safety regulations, improve energy efficiency, and reduce noise levels associated with its ageing extraction system.

🛠️ Project Brief: Installing a Modern Kitchen Ventilation System

The kitchen at Dover College had an outdated kitchen extraction system, which struggled to meet current safety and efficiency standards. Additionally, the kitchen was operating without a three-phase power supply, meaning most of its appliances were gas-powered. Our main objectives were:

• Install a compliant extraction system to clear combusted gases efficiently.

• Enhance energy efficiency within the kitchen.

• Reduce extraction noise levels to ensure a more comfortable environment.

• Upgrade kitchen appliances to modern, high-performance units that would increase cooking capacity and streamline meal preparation.

🏗️ Our Approach: Compliant, Efficient, and Practical Solutions

Given the kitchen’s historical setting and the challenges posed by the existing infrastructure, our team worked carefully to design a solution that would meet the College’s needs while adhering to safety and hygiene regulations. The project had to be completed during a limited half-term window to minimise disruption to the school’s operations.

🌬️ Installation of a New Kitchen Extraction System

We started by installing a new and compliant kitchen extraction system that was designed to handle both the gas-powered appliances and the increased cooking capacity. This included:

• A high-performance extraction canopy to clear smoke, heat, and fumes effectively.

• Improved ventilation to maintain air quality and ensure the kitchen environment was comfortable and safe for staff.

This upgrade was a critical first step in bringing the kitchen up to gas safety regulations while improving the overall energy efficiency and air quality in the space.

🍳 Upgraded Cooking Appliances: Rational and Blue Seal

With the extraction system in place, we proceeded to replace and upgrade the cooking appliances. Our goal was to provide the kitchen with the best commercial catering equipment available to meet the demands of a busy school kitchen. Key installations included:

• A 20-grid Rational combination oven: This high-tech oven is known for its energy efficiency and versatile cooking capabilities. Getting this large unit into the kitchen presented a challenge, but our team managed the installation seamlessly.

• Blue Seal 6-burner range ovens: These powerful ovens offer excellent heat control and durability, perfect for the high-volume cooking required in a school kitchen.

• A new griddle and grill: To round out the kitchen’s capabilities, we installed a modern griddle and grill, enhancing meal preparation options.

⏰ Completion: Meeting the Deadline and Exceeding Expectations

Despite the time constraints, our team successfully completed all work within the half-term period, ensuring that the kitchen was fully operational and compliant with safety regulations before the students returned. Our work included:

• Installation of all equipment on time and to specification.

• Seamless integration of the new ventilation system and appliances into the existing kitchen setup.

• Testing and commissioning of all equipment to ensure optimal performance.

🏆 Results: A Compliant, Efficient, and Safe Kitchen

The kitchen at Dover College is now:

• Compliant with current gas safety regulations, ensuring the safety of both kitchen staff and students.

• Equipped with modern, high-performance appliances that enhance energy efficiency and cooking capacity.

• Fitted with a new extraction system, improving air quality and reducing noise levels in the kitchen.

• More energy-efficient, resulting in long-term operational savings.

The upgraded kitchen not only meets regulatory standards but also enhances the overall foodservice environment, allowing staff to prepare meals efficiently and safely.

📞 Contact Us Today for Your Kitchen Refurbishment

If you have a commercial kitchen that needs updating, whether it’s for a school, business, or other institution, our team can provide you with tailored solutions to meet your needs. We offer expert advice, design, and installation of all aspects of foodservice equipment and kitchen ventilation systems.

Call us now on 01304 249963 to discuss your project and learn how we can help transform your kitchen.