Restaurants and food service establishments have some of the most demanding MEP requirements of any building type. Commercial kitchens generate extreme heat loads, require specialized ventilation to remove grease-laden vapors, and need robust electrical systems to power high-draw cooking equipment — all while complying with the Florida Building Code, NFPA 96, and local health department requirements. Pineland Engineering handles restaurant MEP in-house, producing fully coordinated permit sets that move through plan review efficiently.
Commercial Kitchen Mechanical & HVAC
Commercial kitchens require carefully designed mechanical systems to maintain safe operating conditions. This includes exhaust hood systems sized to capture grease-laden vapors, makeup air units to prevent kitchen depressurization (a common code violation), and HVAC systems sized for the extreme heat loads generated by cooking equipment.
We design to Florida Building Code Section 506 and NFPA 96 — the Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations. Our mechanical drawings include hood schedules, duct sizing calculations, fan specifications, and makeup air unit design, all coordinated with the architectural floor plan and fire suppression contractor.
Electrical Engineering for Restaurants
Restaurant kitchens have among the highest electrical demands of any commercial space. Commercial ovens, fryers, refrigeration systems, dishwashers, and HVAC equipment all require dedicated circuits with appropriate ampacity and protection.
Our electrical scope includes service entrance design, panel schedules, circuit layouts, equipment connection details, and lighting design. We calculate demand loads per NEC Article 220 and size the service entrance to accommodate the full kitchen load with room for future expansion. For restaurants with outdoor seating or signage, we coordinate exterior electrical as well.
Plumbing Engineering & Grease Traps
Restaurant plumbing must satisfy both the Florida Plumbing Code and local health department requirements. Key elements include domestic water supply, sanitary drain-waste-vent systems, commercial dishwasher connections, three-compartment sink design, and — critically — grease interceptor design.
Grease interceptors (grease traps) are required by virtually all Florida municipalities for food service establishments. We size interceptors per PDI G-101 or local utility standards, coordinate with the local utility for connection requirements, and produce plumbing drawings that satisfy both the building department and the health department review.
Hood Exhaust & Fire Suppression Coordination
Every commercial cooking operation requires a Type I or Type II hood with an integrated fire suppression system. Type I hoods are required for cooking equipment that produces grease-laden vapors (fryers, griddles, ranges, broilers). Type II hoods are used for equipment that produces only heat and moisture.
We design the hood exhaust system and coordinate with your fire suppression contractor to ensure the suppression nozzles are properly positioned within the hood plenum. Our drawings include hood dimensions, exhaust and supply air quantities, duct routing, and clearance requirements — everything the fire suppression contractor needs to complete their design.
Florida Building Code & DBPR Compliance
In Florida, restaurant MEP plans must be submitted to two separate authorities: the local building department and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Both require plans signed and sealed by a licensed Florida PE.
The DBPR review focuses on food safety — equipment layout, handwashing stations, ventilation, and plumbing. The building department review focuses on code compliance — structural adequacy, fire protection, electrical safety, and energy code. Pineland Engineering produces drawings that satisfy both review processes, reducing back-and-forth and getting your restaurant open faster.
Statewide Florida Coverage
Pineland Engineering provides restaurant MEP engineering services throughout Florida — from Miami-Dade and Broward in the south to Jacksonville and Pensacola in the north. We understand that local building departments have different processes, timelines, and requirements, and we tailor our submissions accordingly.
Our team has experience with restaurants in all major Florida metro areas, including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Naples, Fort Myers, Sarasota, and more. We can also coordinate with your architect, general contractor, and equipment vendor to ensure the MEP design integrates seamlessly with the overall project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a licensed PE to sign my restaurant MEP plans in Florida?
Yes. Florida law requires that MEP drawings for commercial construction — including restaurants — be signed and sealed by a licensed Professional Engineer (PE). Pineland Engineering is a licensed Florida PE & RA firm and can provide all required signed and sealed documents.
What is NFPA 96 and does it apply to my restaurant?
NFPA 96 is the Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations. It applies to any restaurant or food service establishment that uses cooking equipment producing grease-laden vapors — which includes virtually all commercial kitchens. It governs hood design, duct construction, fire suppression systems, and maintenance requirements.
How long does restaurant MEP engineering take?
For a typical restaurant buildout (1,500–5,000 sq ft), MEP drawings can be completed in 3–5 weeks once we have the architectural floor plans and equipment schedule. Larger or more complex projects may take 6–8 weeks. We can often expedite for time-sensitive projects.
Can you provide MEP engineering for a restaurant remodel or change of use?
Yes. Restaurant remodels and change-of-use projects often require updated MEP drawings, especially if the kitchen layout or equipment is changing. We can review the existing conditions and produce updated drawings that reflect the new scope.
Do you coordinate with the health department for restaurant approvals?
We produce plumbing and mechanical drawings that satisfy health department requirements (fixture counts, handwashing stations, ventilation, grease trap sizing). The health department submission is typically handled by the owner or contractor, but we can advise on the process and ensure our drawings address all health department comments.
What information do you need to start restaurant MEP engineering?
To begin, we need the architectural floor plans (or a dimensioned sketch for early-stage projects), the kitchen equipment schedule (or a list of planned equipment), and the address/jurisdiction so we can research local requirements. We can often provide a fee proposal within 24 hours of receiving this information.
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Pineland Engineering serves residential and commercial clients statewide — from Lee County and Collier County on the Gulf Coast to Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach on the Atlantic. FL Architecture AR102594 · Engineering PE 39202.
