Kitchen Extinguishing System Inspection Checklist

Fire Suppression

• The most common fire suppression found in kitchens contains a wet chemical potassium compound, according to Field's Fire Protection. Though not recommended for general fire use, such a system works great to quell oil-based fires, which are normally the type that flare on a stove. The parts of a wet chemical system that should be inspected are the bottle holding the chemical, which is mounted near the stove, and tubes feeding sprayer vents inside the kitchen hood aimed at the surface of the stove.

Kitchen Hood

• To inspect a kitchen hood-mounted extinguishing system, ensure the grease filters are of the approved variety. Keeping grease from collecting in the vent reduces the chance of a flue fire. There should also be a mechanism in place to immediately cut the source of fuel or electricity to the stove if the system activates. Simultaneously, an audio or visual alarm should alert anyone in the room there is a problem.

Portable Extinguisher

• The majority of hood-mounted fire suppression systems are found in commercial kitchens, but every residential kitchen should at least have a portable fire extinguisher to serve the same purpose. The first item to check with this option is that the extinguisher is not stored more than 30 feet from the probable source of the fire. In other words, keep it near the stove. It should be of the Class K type and include an attached placard with clearly understandable operating instructions. Keep in mind that the chemicals in portable extinguishers do have an expiration date.

Considerations

• While it is relatively easy to check that a portable fire extinguisher is in good operating order, the more complex hood system might require a periodic visit from a qualified technician. Normally, there is a wall-mounted panel monitoring the system's operational status and providing an alert if it detects a problem. Portable extinguishers can last 10 to 12 years or longer. Your local fire department should be able to conduct what is called a hydrostatic test to insure that the shell is strong and chemicals safe inside.