Guide to Restaurant Fire Suppression Systems

In restaurants and other commercial kitchen spaces, the risk of a fire getting out of hand is always present. Cooking oils, fats, grease, smoke, heat—all of these elements are present, and they provide fertile ground for a small spark or errant flame to become a full-blown blaze in a matter of seconds.

To combat this possibility, it is vital that your restaurant be equipped with adequate fire protection and fire suppression systems. However, more standard systems that you might see in other commercial applications will not be enough. New to kitchen and restaurant fire suppression systems, or looking to find out more? State Systems is your comprehensive source for fire protection knowledge and products.

The Dangers of Grease Fires

The heart of why cooking oils, grease, and other fats are so dangerous is that they provide ample fuel for a fire. Even worse, normal fire suppression options like water sprinklers or CO2 fire extinguishers will not be sufficient for stopping the fire. The source of the flame is too strong and spreads too rapidly, and water will simply splash the grease around, which spreads fire further.

This is why specially designed restaurant fire suppression systems are important; these systems have specifically been designed to address the rapid spread of oil- and grease-fueled fire.

What are Restaurant Fire Suppression Systems?

In order to effectively eliminate a fire that is fed by cooking fats, two things must be addressed:

• Additional sources of fuel must be contained
• The danger of cooking fats must be eliminated

Kitchen fire suppression systems are designed to address both of these issues simultaneously. These systems are connected to gas and ventilation lines, and they will shut off access to gas immediately upon detecting a fire to prevent potential explosions or further rapid spreading of the flame.

To deal with cooking fats, the suppression system will thoroughly spray down the area with a specific wet chemical. These chemicals produce a chemical reaction when they come into contact with fats called saponification.

During saponification, triglycerides (cooking fats) are rapidly broken down into harmless glycol and soap. This completely halts the fire by simultaneously removing the source of fuel, and smothering any currently active flames by starving them of oxygen.

How Do I Choose a Restaurant Fire Suppression System?

There are many viable systems on the market today. Matching your needs effectively boils down to understanding:

• The size of the area that needs to be covered
• What types of cooking equipment your restaurant uses
• Whether or not your kitchen is equipped with natural gas
• Whether or not you need custom additions, such as high-heat triggers

Selecting the correct system for your business’s unique needs is best handled by an experienced, certified fire protection company. Professionals adhere to safety codes and laws set forth by the NFPA, ensuring your business remains safe and compliant.

Restaurant Fire Suppression Systems in TN, AR, MS, & AL

Equipped with superior commercial kitchen fire suppression systems from Ansul, Pyro-Chem, Range Guard, Guardian, and Kidde Fire Systems, we are your comprehensive fire protection company. Connect with State Systems today to discuss your restaurant fire protection needs with a skilled, experienced fire safety company!

State Systems proudly provides kitchen fire suppression services to commercial businesses in Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama. Contact us online or call 901-531-6550 to learn more!