Restaurant kitchen fire suppression inspections: Here’s what you should know!
A kitchen fire is the last thing any restaurant owner wants to imagine. After all, it is the leading cause of destruction in the restaurant.
Restaurant operators are required to make certain measures to prevent fires from initiating. But even with so many precautions, somewhere something could go wrong, which may risk the lives of both customers and restaurant staff. Even a small fire back in the restaurant kitchen can quickly escalate to a catastrophic loss. Therefore, it is mandated by the US government to install fire suppression systems so that these systems can suppress a fire before it spreads and causes major destruction.
However, just installing fire suppression systems is not enough. It is also crucial to keep these systems in good working order. This is where restaurant fire suppression system inspections and maintenance come into the picture.
Just like any safety equipment, restaurant fire suppression systems also need regular inspection and maintenance to work properly. Well, there are three main purposes for getting your fire suppression systems inspected on a regular basis. This includes:
- To ensure whether your suppression system is working properly or not.
- Keep a check on unwanted discharge
- Make sure the system remains in compliance with code enforcement inspection
No matter whether you’ve recently installed a brand new suppression system or it is in use for the past few years, here’s what you need to know about restaurant fire suppression system maintenance and inspections.
Professional inspections once a six month - As per the NFPA codes, every restaurant owner needs to get their kitchen fire suppression systems inspected by a qualified technician once a six month. This will ensure that your fire suppression systems are in good working condition. Besides this, a certified technician has access to genuine replacement parts and is versed with updates. Hence, you can be assured that your system is the right hands.
During the inspection, your fire suppression inspector will perform an in-depth inspection of each component of the system, such as:
- Appliance, plenum nozzles and duct
- Detectors and link line
- Tightness of piping
- The functionality of control components and actuators
- The condition of both pressurized as well as non-pressurized tanks
- The functionality of electrical interlocks and remote pull station
- Confirmation of test dates for regulators and cylinders
Conduct monthly in-house inspection
Apart from getting your kitchen fire suppression systems inspected by a certified technician every six months, you also need to conduct a monthly inspection. Well, this is usually a basic visual inspection. Monthly inspections can be performed by anyone, which includes:
- Checking that all nozzles are placed in the right position.
- Ensuring that there is no buildup of dirt or grease within the duct.
- Examining that system gauges are in the green and working order.
- Making sure the tamper indicator is not damaged or broken
Besides monthly and semi-annually inspections, your kitchen fire suppression systems should be inspected by a certified fire protection technician every year to determine whether your existing system complies with current code or not.
The bottom line
Of course, serving the best food to customers is a top priority of every restaurant owner. But providing your guests with a safe and secure place to eat should also be an important thing to consider. Therefore, it is crucial to regularly maintain and inspect all the fire suppression systems in your restaurant.
