Commercial kitchens are fire hazard-prone areas. As per the NFPA, millions of dollars of damages occur from accidental kitchen fires every year. Thus, the guidelines require commercial kitchens to be fully equipped with code-compliant fire protection systems for restaurants. The common causes of kitchen fires can be mishandling kitchen equipment, inadequate ductwork and exhaust system, gas leaks, electrical malfunctions, or negligence. A fire suppression system is the primary defense system in commercial kitchens against fire threats. Restaurant fire suppression systems are automated and quickly respond whenever there is an uncontrollable fire at the kitchen station.
As per the NFPA regulations, it is crucial to ensure that the fire suppression system is well-maintained at all times. Thus, fire safety inspections need to be conducted regularly. The inspection is usually performed by a certified professional. It includes in-depth checking and testing of various elements of the fire suppression system, such as the following:
- Inspection of nozzle heads to check for any blockages from grime and grease buildup
- Checking for any grease buildup on the kitchen hood
- Replacement of any damaged nozzle caps
- Inspection of fire detectors
- Testing functionality and accessibility of nozzles
- Checking the levels of “Class K” and “ABC” fire extinguishers installed in the kitchen.
- Testing functionality of the manual remote pull station
- Testing pressure gauges
- Testing valves to shut off gas
- Ensuring proper ventilation in the ductwork and exhaust system
- Testing functionality of the fire suppression system
- Testing functionality of electrical switches near the cooking stations
- Checking and verifying previous dates of inspection
When the inspection has been completed, the professional inspector will add a new tag on the fire suppression system signifying that the inspection has been done according to the fire safety regulations. In addition, the restaurant owners also need to ensure monthly visual inspections of the fire suppression system that can be done by any knowledgeable staff member such as the manager or the supervisor. However, semi-annual and annual fire suppression system inspections must be conducted by a third-party certified professional. To ensure your restaurant fire suppression systems are well-maintained in compliance with the relevant fire safety codes, ensure to hire a reputable fire safety company.
If you need reliable restaurant fire suppression system installation, inspection, or maintenance services, get in touch with our team for expert assistance!
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