How Does a Commercial Kitchen Fire Suppression System Work?

Commercial kitchens are at a high risk of fire due to open flames, high temperatures, and the presence of grease. Having a reliable fire suppression system in place is essential for protecting employees, customers, and property. A commercial kitchen fire suppression system is a trusted solution designed to detect, suppress, and prevent the re-ignition of fires in cooking areas.

Fire Pros specializes in fire suppression system installation and maintenance and helps businesses in West Michigan stay protected and compliant with NFPA fire suppression requirements.

The Role of Commercial Kitchen Fire Suppression Systems

A commercial kitchen fire suppression system provides automatic fire suppression for restaurants, quickly detecting and suppressing fires before they spread. These systems are designed specifically for commercial kitchens, using advanced detection methods and a specialized wet chemical agent to control fires involving cooking appliances, hoods, and ductwork.

Detecting a Fire

Commercial kitchen fire suppression systems use an automatic detection system, often utilizing fusible links designed to operate at certain temperatures to identify fires as soon as they reach a dangerous temperature. The system can also be manually triggered by a pull station, allowing staff to immediately act if they spot a fire before the system activates automatically.

According to the NFPA, cooking fires account for 61% of restaurant fires. A fire that is not quickly controlled can spread to the ventilation system, walls, and ceiling, causing significant damage. An Ansul fire suppression system helps prevent widespread destruction and potential injuries by detecting fires at the earliest stage.

Suppressing the Fire

Once activated, the restaurant fire suppression system releases a specially designed wet chemical agent that blankets the flames and cools down hot surfaces. The agent forms a thick soap-like layer that prevents oxygen from fueling the fire, effectively smothering it. This is particularly important for grease fires, which cannot be extinguished with water. The system also shuts off the gas and electric supply to cooking equipment, eliminating the fuel source that could keep the fire burning.

Preventing Reignition

Once the flames are suppressed, the system continues working to prevent the fire from reigniting. The wet chemical agent creates a protective barrier over grease and cooking residue, reducing the risk of another flare-up. Without this protection, residual heat and fuel could easily cause the fire to restart.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, nearly 8,000 restaurant fires occur annually, leading to millions in damage. A well-functioning suppression system helps businesses avoid costly repairs and downtime.

Types of Systems We Service

Ansul offers different fire suppression systems to meet the needs of various commercial kitchens. In addition to servicing major brands like Kidde, Amerex, RangeGuard, Buckey, and CaptiveAire, you can rely on us to maintain the following Ansul systems:

• Ansul R-102 system: These systems are designed to protect cooking appliances, hoods, and ductwork.
• Ansul Piranha system: This dual-agent system combines wet chemicals with water to enhance fire suppression speed and efficiency.
• Ansul LVS system: These systems use a liquid agent to provide additional protection for areas with high fire risks.

Why Every Commercial Kitchen Needs a Fire Suppression System

A commercial kitchen fire can cause significant property damage, injuries, and business closures. Restaurant fires are estimated to cause over $165 million in direct property damage each year. Without a fire suppression system, a single grease fire could spread rapidly, putting lives at risk and leading to extensive losses.

Beyond safety, fire suppression systems help restaurants comply with NFPA fire suppression requirements. Local fire codes require commercial kitchens to have properly maintained suppression systems.

Schedule Service With Fire Pros Today

Fire Pros provides professional fire suppression system sales and installation, inspections, and kitchen fire suppression maintenance services to help keep commercial kitchens safe. Our experts bring years of knowledge and skill to every appointment, ensuring you receive the solutions you need to protect your business, staff, and assets.

Call Fire Pros today or request a quote for installation and maintenance services.