Commercial Kitchen

Project Overview

Designed and engineered the electrical systems for a high-capacity 5500 square foot commercial kitchen and servery for large-scale events. The project required power distribution, dedicated circuits for heavy-duty cooking equipment, and integration with HVAC and exhaust systems to maintain efficiency and safety. With a focus on code compliance and operational reliability, the electrical design supported high-demand appliances, food preparation areas, and storage facilities while ensuring functionality during peak service hours.

Role & Responsibilities

Power Distribution for Cooking Equipment – Designed dedicated electrical infrastructure for ovens, grills, fryers, and refrigeration units. Defined clearly the responsibilities between kitchen designers, equipment suppliers, and the sub-contractors to enable proper bidding and construction of the project.

Backup & Emergency Power – Integrated standby generator power for essential systems, preventing operational disruptions during outages.

Lighting & Controls – Engineered a combination of ambient and task lighting with dimmable, energy-efficient LED fixtures to optimize visibility and energy savings.

Class 1 Hoods - Provided shutdown for appliances involving chemical suppressant systems and integrated system signals with the building fire alarm system.

GFCI Protection & Electrical Safety – Installed ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) and dedicated grounding systems to protect against electrical hazards in wet environments.

Key Challenges & Solutions

🔹 Coordinating Electrical Drawings with Kitchen Suppliers & Stakeholders – Miscommunication between the owner, GC, electrical contractor, and kitchen suppliers on OFIC and OFOI items can lead to scope gaps, bidding issues, and change orders.
✔ Solution: Held coordination meetings early to define installation responsibilities. Electrical drawings clearly labeled OFCI and OFOI items with connection requirements. Bidding documents outlined scope ownership to avoid disputes. During construction, worked closely with the GC and contractor to ensure the design was followed, preventing last-minute changes.

🔹 High Electrical Demand & Load Balancing – Commercial kitchens require substantial power distribution to support simultaneous equipment operation.
✔ Solution: Designed a balanced load distribution plan with dedicated panels for high-draw equipment.

🔹 Compliance with Local Codes & NEC Standards – Stringent health and safety regulations in electrical system planning.
✔ Solution: Ensured all designs met NEC, NFPA, and local health department requirements, integrating proper circuit protection and emergency shut-off systems.

Outcome & Impact

✅ Clear Scope & Fewer Change Orders – Defined OFIC and OFOI responsibilities early, eliminating bidding discrepancies and preventing scope gaps during construction. The result was a well-coordinated project with minimal RFIs and no costly last-minute changes.

✅ Reliable Power Distribution – Designed a balanced electrical system that supported simultaneous equipment operation without overloading circuits, ensuring uninterrupted kitchen performance.

✅ Code Compliance & Safety – Electrical design met all NEC, NFPA, and health department requirements, incorporating proper circuit protection and emergency shut-offs to enhance safety and operational reliability.

✅ Efficient Construction Execution – Early coordination with the GC, electrical contractor, and kitchen suppliers led to a smooth installation process, reducing installation errors and keeping the project on schedule.

Let’s Talk About Your Project

Planning a commercial kitchen for large-scale events? Let’s discuss how NLS can provide the electrical expertise to power your project.