Make-Up Air & Exhaust Interlock Wiring (NFPA 96 & Alberta Code Compliant)
Installing a commercial make-up air unit (MAU) and exhaust hood is not standard wiring. Under the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 96) standards and the Alberta Building Code, commercial kitchen ventilation systems require highly specific electrical interlocks to prevent catastrophic fires. We handle the complete electrical integration between your CaptiveAire hood, exhaust fans, MAU, and fire suppression systems.
Safety Code Notice
All work complies with NFPA 96, the Alberta Building Code, and the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) — engineered to pass RMWB fire inspections the first time.
Mandatory Fan Interlocking
By code, your make-up air unit must be electrically interlocked with your exhaust fan. If the exhaust fan turns on, the MAU must automatically start to prevent dangerous negative pressure in the building. We wire the control panels to ensure seamless, balanced operation.
Fire Suppression (Ansul) System Interlocks
In the event of a kitchen fire, the wiring must do three things instantly:
- 1
Shut Down the Make-Up Air
The MAU must turn off immediately so it does not feed fresh oxygen to the fire.
- 2
Keep the Exhaust Running
The exhaust fan must continue to run (or turn on automatically) to pull smoke out of the building.
- 3
Kill the Appliance Power
All electrical and gas valves powering the cooking equipment under the hood must automatically shut off.
VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) Setup
We install and program VFDs to control fan speeds, which improves your facility's energy efficiency while maintaining the exact air pressure required by health inspectors.
Inspection-Ready Wiring
Failed fire inspections cost you days of revenue. We coordinate directly with your HVAC contractor and the local fire marshal to ensure the interlock sequences are tested, proven, and pass RMWB inspections the very first time.
Common CaptiveAire & MUA Electrical Issues We Fix
When your Make-Up Air unit won't fire, won't blow air, or throws an error code, it is rarely a mechanical failure — it is almost always an electrical or control issue. Our master electricians diagnose and repair:
No-Flame / Ignition Failures
The blower is running, but the heater won't ignite. This is often caused by a failed ignitor, a bad ground connection at the disconnect, or a loss of voltage at the flame sensor (Fireye). We test the primary coils, transformers, and grounds to pinpoint the exact failure.
Control Board & VFD Communication Errors
If your CASLink, microprocessor controller, or Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) is showing a fault code or failing to communicate over the CAT-5 wiring, we have the diagnostic tools to trace the low-voltage communication drops.
Air Proving Switch & Safety Lockouts
Commercial units have multiple safeties wired in series. If a profile pressure plate gets stuck or an air proving switch fails, the electrical circuit breaks and the unit goes into hard lockout. We trace the schematic to find exactly which switch is failing.
Burnt Contactors & Motor Overloads
Heavy commercial use means contactors get pitted and motors draw high amps over time. We replace failing electrical components before they cause a complete motor burn-out.
Emergency Repair & Troubleshooting
A malfunctioning make-up air unit in the middle of a Fort McMurray winter means freezing cold air dumping into your kitchen, or a negative pressure situation that prevents doors from opening properly.
Motor Control Failures
Troubleshooting burnt-out contactors, tripped overloads, and failing fan motors.
Sensor & Control Issues
Fixing communication errors between the kitchen hood thermostat and the rooftop unit.
24/7 Emergency Dispatch
We know downtime costs your restaurant or industrial camp money. Our master electricians are available around the clock to get your kitchen back online.
Why Trust Crescent Electric with Your Commercial Kitchen?
Red Seal Certified
Master electricians who understand the complex schematics of CaptiveAire and other major commercial HVAC/R brands.
Code Compliant
All wiring is done to strict Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) standards for commercial kitchens and hazardous locations.
Fast & Reliable
We partner with local restaurant owners, hotels, and industrial camps across Fort McMurray for rapid, reliable maintenance.
