Kitchen Stove Update and Next Steps

The Board of Trustees would like to share an update on the ongoing issue with the kitchen stove. Trustee Sandy Duffy has been researching the problem in depth and has provided the Board with clearer information about what is causing the delay.

The stove itself is not malfunctioning. The issue is with the range hood and the required fire suppression system. Because our building is classified as a commercial space, the residential stove must be protected by a UL-300A compliant range hood with an automatic fire suppression system that shuts off power when a fault is detected. The fire suppressant in our current system has dried out, leaving it unpressurized and triggering a safety shutdown. The suppression canister used in this hood is obsolete and no longer manufactured.

Repairing the existing hood would require removing it and sending it to the manufacturer for rebuilding, at an estimated cost of $5,600 plus removal, shipping, and reinstallation. Replacing the hood with a new compliant unit would be faster and involve less downtime, but would cost approximately $7,500 to $8,500 plus installation. Used units are difficult to find and none are currently available.

For now, the stove must remain out of service, as we cannot bypass required safety systems or use a non-compliant hood. Sandy is continuing to research the scope of work and installation requirements for both options, and the Board will share updates as more information becomes available.