Upblast fans with motors surrounded by the airstream shall have which features?

• A. Belts and pulleys protected by a greasetight housing
• B. Hinged, with flexible weatherproof electrical cable and service hold-open retainers
• C. Motors outside the airstream
• D. No hold-open retainers required

Answer: (B)

When a motor is located in the airstream of an upblast kitchen exhaust fan, the design must prioritize safe maintenance access and durable electrical connections in a grease-heavy environment. A hinged motor housing lets you swing the cover open to reach and service the motor without removing duct sections. The electrical cable should be flexible and weatherproof so it can move with the hinge and resist moisture and grease exposure at the point of connection. Service hold-open retainers keep the access panel propped open during maintenance, reducing the risk of sudden movement and making servicing safer and faster.

The other options don’t fit because they don’t address the combination of easy access for service, protective, grease-appropriate electrical connections, and a mechanism to hold the panel open during maintenance, which are the practical necessities when the motor is in the airstream.