Only recirculating hoods are allowed in high-rise residential buildings like HDB.
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A HDB flat cannot vent a cooker hood to the exterior of the building. Powerful exhaust fans installed in kitchen near the stove or ducted (external vent) hoods are generally not allowed in HDBs because the cooking fumes, which are not fully filtered, would enter neighboring flats, causing issues for residents and their laundry. Instead, recirculating (ductless) hoods that filter and release air back into the kitchen are the only permitted type of cooker hood in HDBs.
powerful ducted exhaust fans that channel fumes to the outside are not allowed in HDB flats because the buildings are too close, and the fumes would enter other units, but recirculating cooker hoods that filter and recirculate air are permissible and recommended. Ducted systems are restricted to landed properties, and HDB flats must use ductless or recirculating models to prevent pollution and neighborly complaints about cooking smells and grease.
Why Ducted (Ventilating) Exhausts Are Not Allowed
Proximity to other units:
HDBs are built close together, so ducting cooking fumes to the outside would cause them to drift into neighboring homes.
Air pollution:
Fumes, especially heavy cooking fumes and grease, would become a nuisance and health concern for nearby residents.
Structural modifications:
Installing a ducted system often requires cutting into walls or making significant alterations to the building's structure, which is prohibited by HDB regulations.
What is Allowed in HDBs
Recirculating Cooker Hoods: These systems use filters to clean the air and then release it back into the kitchen. They are the standard choice for HDBs because they don't require external ducting or structural changes.
Recommendation
Choose a recirculating hood: If you're in an HDB, opt for a recirculating model, which is compliant with regulations and effective for light cooking or general ventilation.