KITCHEN FIRE SUPPRESSION

Commercial Kitchen Fire Suppression Systems

General Overview: Importance Of Kitchen Fire Suppression Systems

Your Kitchen Hood Fire Suppression System should be inspected every six months, according to NFPA 96. This inspection must be completed by a licensed fire protection company. Special hazard suppression systems are organised into five main categories being dry chemical, clean agent, commercial kitchen, foam, and CO2. The service inspection should also include the replacement of the nozzles. We would recommend the inspection be coordinated with your duct cleaning provider to reduce inconvenience to the kitchen staff.

Advantages of Kitchen Suppression Systems

• Automatic & Rapid Response.
• The system activates immediately when a fire starts, minimising damage and stopping small incidents from escalating.
• No need for staff to intervene which significantly reduces the risk of injury.

Targets Fire Efficiently

• Delivers the suppressing agent directly to high-risk areas such as fryers, extractor canopies and ducts.
• Some systems can automatically shut off gas or electrical supplies to stop fire spread.

Safety and Liability Benefits

• Protects both people and property, reducing disruption and financial loss.
• Often reduces insurance premiums or is required by insurers as part of coverage.
• Designed to limit downtime and cleanup, for instance, systems like ANSUL R-102 claim cleanup can be done quickly with basic cleaning tools.

Legal and Regulatory Context in the UK
No outright legal mandate, but under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the “”responsible person”” must conduct a fire risk assessment. If risk is high (common in kitchens), a suppression system is a realistic necessity. Insurers frequently require, or strongly recommend, suppression systems in high-risk kitchens and may invalidate cover if omitted. Fire authorities or building control might necessitate systems based on assessed risks, especially for open-plan or diner-facing kitchens.

Key Standards to Know

• BAFE SP206 Scheme – Covers design, installation, commissioning, maintenance, and recharge of kitchen suppression systems by certified providers. Systems should align with LPS 1223 (commercial fixed suppression standards) and UL 300 (North American standard).
• LPS 1223 Requirements – Testing includes fire detection, activation, extinguishing, plus maintenance and service documentation. Must protect both cooking appliances and exhaust hoods, support manual and automatic activation, ensure fuel/equipment shut-off, and integrate with fire alarm systems. Prevent user from isolating suppression power without also cutting off cooking equipment’s fuel/electric supply.
• BS EN 17446:2021 – Applies to domestic/residential kitchen systems, emphasizing safe operation and manual activation.
• Maintenance & Competence – Systems must be serviced every six months by BAFE SP206 certified engineers, who issue a Certificate of Conformance after each visit. Upon discharge (triggered or incidental), systems must be professionally recharged to restore readiness.

What You Should Do Next

• Commission a Fire Risk Assessment – If it shows high risk, a suppression system is likely needed.
• Specify BAFE SP206 Certification – Demand design, install, and maintenance by certified practitioners.
• Ensure Compliance with LPS 1223 – Confirms system performance and safety.
• Schedule Maintenance – Every six months by qualified professionals.
• Coordinate with Insurers and Authorities – Make sure your system meets their specific requirements

Fire Warden Training

Fire Warden training is the cornerstone of any fire safety strategy, the actions of informed and well trained Fire Wardens have been proved to save lives and reduce the risk to commercial property. Their role in dealing effectively with an evacuation from a fire, in ensuring that the area is empty of people not involved in fighting a fire, will not only help save lives but assist the fire fighters in acting quickly. This will give staff a greater awareness of the hazards a fire will present, and increase their knowledge of practical fire safety measures.

Fire Wardens Course

• Fire: Formidable Deadly & Fast
  • A hard-hitting introduction to fire and how fast moving and devastating it can be.
• Chemistry of Fire
  • This unit covers the elements of combustion in the “fire triangle”, types of fuels, products of combustion & how fire spreads.
• Classification of Fire
  • We discuss how the types of fires are classified and how this information is important in selecting an extinguisher to a fire and assists in giving valuable information to the firefighters on their arrival on site.
• Fire Extinguishers and their use
  • We discuss the types of extinguishers, how to read the labelling and select the correct extinguisher for the fire, and how to tackle and extinguish a fire.
• Fire Extinguishers Practical
  • We give every candidate the opportunity to fight a real fire using the fire training rig and a selection of extinguishers.
• Fire Safety on Site
  • We look at the types of fire protection, systems and signage on site and how this assists and can be used in helping to fight fires and raise the alarm.
• Probable Causes of Fire
  • We review the specific risks on site including high risk areas and how better housekeeping and vigilance can help stop fires from happening in future.
• Responsibilities of Fire Wardens
  • A review of the specific duties of the Fire Warden and a look at how people’s actions during a real fire can create significant risks and hamper an evacuation.

Externally Monitored to Ensure that we meet a High Standard of Service.

As members of the SSAIB (Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board), We maintain service records and monitor our success. The SSAIB, is a leading certification body for organisations providing security systems and services, fire detection alarm systems, and monitoring services. So, you can be confident that we strive to provide our clients with a reliable and professional level of service.