What condition must be met to exempt a facility from NFPA 96 standards?

The condition to exempt a facility from NFPA 96 standards is that no residential cooking equipment is present. NFPA 96 is specifically designed to govern the ventilation and fire protection requirements for commercial cooking operations. The standard applies to commercial kitchens, where the use and risk associated with cooking equipment and processes can present significant fire hazards.

Facilities that exclusively use residential cooking equipment are typically exempt from these standards because the risks associated with residential cooking do not align with the requirements established for commercial operations. Residential equipment is generally designed for safer use with lower performance output when compared to commercial-grade equipment, which can produce higher temperatures, generate more grease-laden vapors, and require more stringent ventilation systems.

Therefore, the presence of residential cooking equipment in a facility is the primary condition that, if met, allows that facility to be exempt from NFPA 96 standards.