Blog

Fire Systems for the Restaurant Industry

June 4, 2024|fsstechnologies

Companies in varying industries face fire hazards in their standard operations to a certain degree. Businesses that operate commercial kitchens, however, are at significant risk for fire-related hazards because cooking equipment is a leading cause of commercial fires. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, an estimated 50% of non-residential fires were caused by cooking in 2021, with rates increasing by 14% since 2012. Your risks of kitchen-related fires are particularly heightened if you own or operate a business in the restaurant industry, so it’s vital to understand and implement best practices of fire safety for commercial kitchens in terms of fire codes, fire systems, and other relevant elements.

What NFPA codes should I know?

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) thoroughly defines all relevant requirements for the restaurant industry in NFPA 96, Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations. Updated once every three years, NFPA 96 details each aspect of a public or private commercial kitchen’s fire safety requirements, from what types of equipment are needed to how frequently inspections must be conducted. In addition to restaurant-specific requirements, the NFPA outlines standards for commercial fire protection across various industries in other publications.

Business settings that must adhere to NFPA 96 provisions include:

  • Restaurants
  • Food trucks
  • Cafeterias
  • Commercial kitchens

While some chapters in NFPA 96 focus on fire safety elements that aren’t necessarily part of what you think a fire system includes, each part plays a critical role in preventing and protecting your business from kitchen fires. Here are some sections that cover requirements you should know.

Fire extinguisher inspection

NFPA 96 Chapter 4, General Requirements for Cooking Operations in Buildings and Mobile and Temporary Cooking Operations, explains the overall codes that business owners must follow. The main takeaway is that it’s the business owner’s responsibility to ensure all equipment, both for cooking and fire safety, is inspected, tested, maintained, and kept clean regularly.

You can reference Chapter 4 for general information on provisions related to:

  • Cooking equipment
  • Ventilation systems
  • Fire-extinguishing equipment
  • Grease-contaminated materials

Business owners who operate any commercial kitchen in a building should familiarize themselves with Chapter 10, Fire-Extinguishing Equipment for Cooking Operations in Buildings, of NFPA 96. This section primarily focuses on the types of equipment and varying materials needed to combat grease fires and alert a building’s inhabitants of an active blaze. Measures that promote fire safety in commercial kitchens must depend on automatic fire suppression systems that activate when a fire starts. These automatic measures should be supplemented by portable fire extinguishers, specifically those rated for Class K fires.

NFPA 96 Chapter 12, Procedures for the Use, Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Equipment, provides instructions for business owners to ensure all cooking equipment and fire systems are operated safely. The key takeaway of this chapter is the importance of proper use and maintenance of your commercial kitchen space. One often-forgotten part is the requirement to provide instructions on using fire extinguishers and the facility’s fire system. This information must be provided to new employees when onboarded and as a refresher to all staff annually.

What should a restaurant fire system include?

With all the requirements mentioned in the many pages of NFPA 96, business owners often forget or miss specific information that could lead to their facility committing a fire safety violation. Thankfully, the NFPA emphasizes several critical points about generic commercial requirements and specific standards for restaurants and commercial kitchens that should be considered in ensuring their fire protection measures are sufficient. Learn what components are needed to protect your business, employees, and customers.

Fire suppression system

When a fire breaks out in your restaurant, your fire suppression system is the first line of defense in extinguishing or containing the flames. Because grease fires are often worsened by water, fire suppression systems commonly depend on wet chemicals that react productively to oil, grease, and cooking fats. Suppression systems are meant to detect fires in their early stages, so they often rely on some variation of a smoke detector integrated into a kitchen’s ventilation system.

While fire suppression systems are the primary defense against kitchen fires, fire extinguishers play an integral role as a secondary measure. Just as your suppression materials must avoid water-based solutions, the fire extinguishers in your kitchen should be categorized as Class K devices that depend on wet chemicals. Because other settings around your kitchen can have non-grease hazards, you should store additional extinguishers that can work against other fire classes. The most common solution is to leverage Class ABC extinguishers that are effective against multiple types of fires.

Fire alarm

Your restaurant’s fire alarm system is a central hub for your detection, protection, and suppression systems. While other systems work to contain fires, your alarm system protects your employees and customers by alerting them of the need to evacuate. Alarms can be activated manually or automatically, although the latter is preferred since pull stations can be blocked or made inaccessible by flames. Smoke detectors in your suppression or alarm system often activate an automatic alarm system’s lights and sirens. Kitchens that leverage commercial fire alarm monitoring are a step ahead, with monitoring facilities available 24/7 to alert your local first responders if a fire breaks out.

Restaurants and commercial kitchens in newer structures must have automatic fire sprinkler systems installed and maintained based on the 2021 version of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code. On the other hand, an older structure categorized as an assembly is only required to install a sprinkler system if it has a minimum capacity of 100 people. While your sprinkler system’s structure and layout may vary based on the building you occupy, water-based systems should be concentrated away from your kitchen equipment.

Between running your kitchen efficiently and ensuring your customers are satisfied, keeping track of relevant fire safety requirements, inspection requirements, and system options is a complex balance. With FSS Technologies, creating and maintaining the optimal commercial fire alarm system is a piece of cake. Our expert service technicians craft the perfect fire-safety recipe with alarm system components and features for each business. No two companies are alike, and we approach fire safety for commercial kitchens with that same mentality, from installations to inspections and anything in between. Contact us today to learn how we can help you optimize your business’s fire safety.

Explore Our Other Blogs

home-security-system-Hero-min

Cost of Home Security Systems

Getting a security system for your home is a wise investment. While the obvious benefit is protection for your family, home, and belongings, it’s hard to put a price on the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you and your family will have professional help in case of an emergency. Still, you must…

Continue reading
dome-vs-bullet-cameras-hero-min

What is the Difference Between Dome Cameras and Bullet Cameras?

Security cameras are an integral part of a security system in any home or business. They give you access to a video stream of what is happening inside a building or on your property while also giving the owner the ability to look back on footage if necessary. There are many different types of CCTV cameras out…

Continue reading
Hero-afterbreaki-min

What to Do After a Break In

No one ever wants to be victimized by a burglar, but the fact is that many will encounter a theft or break-in at some point in their lifetime. A recent study by Bankrate shows that there are over 1 million burglaries in the United States each year, with a new burglary happening approximately every 26…

Continue reading
fire-inspection-faqs-hero-min

FAQs About Fire Alarm Inspections

There’s a lot of information about fire alarm inspections out there, so how do you know where to begin? We spoke to our team to find the most frequently asked questions about fire alarm inspections. What is a Fire Alarm Inspection? Fire alarm systems are life safety systems that require a fully functional and visual check…

Continue reading
Hero-smoke

What are the Different Types of Smoke Detectors?

Smoke detectors are vital to fire safety for homes and businesses. Because they protect lives from fires or gas leaks, it’s essential to choose the best detector for your environment. There are various options to choose from, meaning you need to understand the benefits each one offers before making a selection. Learn more about the…

Continue reading
BusinessBurglary-Hero-min

Which Businesses are Burglarized Most?

The idea of business theft and burglary is not a pleasant one; however, the likelihood of your business being burglarized is rather high. In fact, approximately 37% of small business owners were impacted by burglary or theft over the past year. Retail businesses in particular are highly targeted as thieves are seeking the opportunity to either use or resell stolen items. Everything from simple shoplifting to employee theft can contribute to overall business…

Continue reading
fire-rating-hero-min

What are Fire Ratings?

Any business owner would be devastated by a fire, and most turn to fire safety systems for preventative and protective solutions. Still, many are unaware that their building’s materials can directly influence how a fire impacts their building’s structure. In addition to investing in a comprehensive fire safety system, it is critical to consider the…

Continue reading
Hero-kidde-min

Kidde: Innovations in Fire Safety

Your fire alarm system can protect your family, home, and belongings from fires, gas leaks, and other hazards. FSS Technologies is committed to providing its customers with top-of-the-line fire safety and emergency prevention technology, which is why we are a proud provider of products from Kidde, North America’s most installed fire safety brand. Learn about…

Continue reading
Window-Motion-Sensor-Placement-Hero

Where Should Window and Motion Sensors be Placed?

Motion and window sensors are basic parts of a security system in both residential and business applications.   The expert security team at FSS Technologies has helped thousands of business and property owners stay safe with these tools. Sensors  A motion sensor allows a system to detect movement, using waves or light to determine if someone or…

Continue reading
2020-01_FSSTechnologies_blogs_ring-hack_hero-min

The Risky Business of Ring’s Vulnerable Security

If you are like the rest of Americans, you have noticed that the Ring Security company has been in the news lately— and not for anything useful. Between security hacks and lawsuits, the company has landed itself in hot water. Surveillance Camera Hacks Homeowners have security cameras installed in their homes to give them peace…

Continue reading
24h emergency
Secure My Space
chat with us