Kitchen Hood Suppression System Inspection: What To Expect

Kitchen fires are arguably one of the worst things that could happen to a restaurant business and the greatest fear of every owner.

Restaurants are full of flammable materials – from cooking oil and alcohols to parchment papers and foils.

It may only take one kitchen fire accident to devastate the business in a few minutes.

In fact, a report from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) states that 61% of restaurant fires are from cooking equipment.

Even fire insurance may not be enough for restaurant owners to handle the stress of revenue loss, rebuilding the business, and taking care of the affected employees.

The best way to protect the business from this scenario is through fire prevention and protection.

Regular kitchen hood fire suppression system inspections are required among restaurants to ensure optimal business performance and the safety of their employees and customers.

In this article, we’ll talk about the things you should do and expect before, during, and after a restaurant kitchen hood fire protection system inspection. Keep reading!

Kitchen Fire Suppression System Inspections: Things to Expect

Here’s a kitchen fire inspection checklist for your guide:

Before the inspection

• Inform all your staff members about the scheduled date and time of the inspection
• Cooldown your cooking tools and equipment. Avoid using them before the inspection.
• Deep clean your kitchen hood thoroughly. Remove any grease or dirt buildup that may affect the inspection.
• Notify everyone inside the restaurant that the fire alarm will be out of service during the inspection period.
• Don’t use the kitchen until the inspection is complete.
• As much as possible, schedule the kitchen fire suppression system inspection during an off-day or off-hours to minimize the presence of people on-site.

During the Inspection

These are the things that the service technicians will do during the fire suppression system inspection:

• Inspect the location of appliances and layout for nozzle coverage.
• Inspect all nozzle surfaces, ducts, and plenums.
• Replace all nozzle caps.
• Check for any signs of system activation or tamper.
• Check pressure gauges for proper PSI.
• Cut a fusible link to test the detection line.
• Change fusible links twice a year in compliance with fire safety codes.
• Replace protective blow-off caps (when necessary).
• Test proper operation of gas shutoff valves, micro switches, and remote/manual pull station.
• Check for any blockage in the extinguishing lines.
• Ensure all fans are operating properly.
• Check the compatibility of all system components.
• Check for any hood holes.
• Verify activation of the fire alarm system.
• Verify distributor emergency contact information.
• Put the cooking system back into service.
• Put the fire alarm system back into operation.
• Install new fusible links with the stamped date upon system activation. This serves as proof of the fire marshal inspection service.

After the inspection

• File your inspection certificate with the local fire authority
• Check if the inspection and service tag is complete and attached to the system.
• Document any fire safety issues, discrepancies, and repair concerns that need to be addressed.
• Provide a copy of a Commercial Cooking System Service and Inspection report to you and your local fire department.

How Often Should Your Kitchen Hood Fire Suppression System Be Inspected?

The NFPA 96 requires the inspection of commercial kitchen hood fire suppression systems every six months. It must be completed by a licensed fire protection company.

The inspection will ensure that in the event of a fire, your fire suppression system will activate, put out the fire, and shut off any gas or electricity flow in your kitchen.

Schedule A Kitchen Fire Suppression System Inspection Now!

Any malfunctioning fire safety equipment can highly expose you to a serious fire hazard.

For restaurant businesses, a well-functioning kitchen hood fire suppression system can help protect employees, customers, and the whole establishment in case of a fire emergency.

If you’re in the Prescott, AZ area, B&W Fire Security Systems has a team of licensed fire safety experts to ensure your kitchen hood fire suppression system will do the right job during an emergency.

Contact us today to experience our award-winning services!

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