Which statement best defines a Branch Duct?

• A. The duct work containing the exhaust air from two or more branch ducts.
• B. The duct work used for make-up air in the kitchen.
• C. The duct work that contains the exhaust air from a single hood or hazard area.
• D. The duct work that provides supply air to the hood.

Answer: (C)

In a kitchen exhaust system, the branch duct is the segment that carries exhaust from a single hood or hazard area to the main duct. It serves one hood's air stream before it joins with other branch ducts. The main duct, by contrast, collects exhaust from multiple branch ducts. Makeup air is the air brought in to replace what’s exhausted, and the hood’s supply air is a separate supply duct. So the description that matches a branch duct is the ductwork that contains the exhaust air from a single hood or hazard area.