What To Expect During Your Kitchen Hood Fire Suppression System Inspection
Proper functioning fire suppression systems can reduce fire-related deaths by up to 87%. Inspections are key to ensuring your fire suppression systems work when they need to.
In the case of fire suppression system failure, liability may fall on commercial property and facility managers. So, you should schedule regular inspections for your and your employee’s safety. This guide gives an overview of how often you should get a kitchen hood fire suppression system inspection, how to prepare for one, and what to expect during it.
Kitchen Hood Fire Suppression System Inspection: How Often to Get One
While fire suppression systems are a necessity in commercial kitchens, they don’t prevent fires from occurring. But, these systems are an improvement over handheld fire extinguishers because:
- They act immediately when activated
- There is no room for human error
- After activation, they allow everyone to evacuate instead of fighting the fire
Fire suppression systems even outperform sprinkler systems. That’s because rather than controlling the fire, they extinguish it completely. However, they aren’t replacements for handheld extinguishers and sprinklers because, like all systems, they can malfunction.
So, you should conduct regular inspections, so you’re less likely to rely on backup systems in case of a fire. The National Fire Protection Association printed a guide setting standards for fire protection in commercial cooking operations. Titled NFPA 96, the guide states your kitchen hood suppression system should get inspected once every 6 months.
Preparing for a Fire Suppression System Inspection
The most important part of preparing for your kitchen inspection is accessibility. Make sure your inspector has a clear path through your kitchen to the system they’ve come to check out.
It’s also a good idea to do some cleaning before the inspection. Most kitchens clean their space and equipment regularly. But, you can do an extra deep clean for your inspection to make it easier on the inspector.
Also, make sure you and your staff are aware of the time your inspector is coming and how long it will take. You cannot use your kitchen during the inspection, so make sure you’re prepared to pause operations.
What to Expect
During your bi-annual kitchen hood fire suppression system inspection, you should expect your inspector to thoroughly investigate each mechanism in your system. This includes activating it to check its functionality. Other inspection points include but are not limited to:
- Extinguishing agent nozzles checked for buildup
- Extinguishing lines checked for buildup or blockages
- Activation mechanisms checked for functionality
- Pressure gauges are checked for proper PSI
- Check fans for proper functionality
- Check system parts for compatibility
- Check for electrical and gas shut-off upon activation
- Install new fusible links/stamp date for proof of inspection
After your inspection is complete, you can update your compliance with the proper authorities. You should also get an inspection report from your inspector, which you can send a copy of to the fire department.
Schedule Your Kitchen Hood Fire Suppression System Inspection Today!
How long has it been since your last kitchen hood fire suppression system inspection? If the answer is almost 6 months, it’s time to have another! Let Castle Sprinkler and Alarm ensure the safety of your commercial kitchen hood suppression system.
Since 2004, we’ve served Northern Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland to provide excellent services in the installation and inspection of fire protection systems. We ensure the safety of you and your employees by strictly following the fire code during our operations.
If you’re looking for quality fire safety inspectors you can trust, look no further than Castle. Check out our website and request a free inspection quote today.