Do I Need a Fire Suppression System in my Restaurant?

Kitchens of all kinds can present numerous fire hazards, but when you’re running a restaurant, the potential for a fire in your kitchen is something you need to be constantly aware of.

Busy cooking environments combine high temperatures, open flames, electrical equipment, cooking oils, fats, and combustible materials, often within a relatively confined space. Having effective restaurant fire protection measures in place is therefore essential for protecting employees, customers, property, and business operations.

In this blog, we look at the particular fire risks restaurants face, how kitchen fire suppression can help control a developing fire, and the factors that determine whether a restaurant fire suppression system may be appropriate for your premises.

Why should you consider a kitchen fire suppression system?

On a busy night in a restaurant or other commercial kitchen, there’s likely to be a combination of activities taking place that together can create a substantial fire risk.

These may include:

• Multiple heat sources, such as ovens, grills, fryers, and gas hobs, operating at the same time
• Numerous chefs, sous chefs, and kitchen assistants working under pressure during busy service periods
• Highly flammable ingredients and materials, including cooking oils and fats, which can quickly overheat if accidentally neglected

These risks can become more significant when cooking equipment is operating continuously throughout the day. Grease and oil can also accumulate around appliances and extraction systems if these areas aren’t properly inspected and cleaned.

A kitchen fire suppression system provides an additional layer of protection by targeting specified cooking appliances and associated areas. Automatic systems can respond to a developing fire without relying solely on someone being able to safely reach and use a portable fire extinguisher.

However, suppression should form part of a wider approach to commercial kitchen fire safety rather than being considered in isolation.

Can kitchen fire suppression systems work with other measures?

The short answer to this question is yes. Effective restaurant fire protection relies on several fire safety measures working together to prevent fires, detect them quickly, and protect people if an incident occurs.

Depending on your premises and the findings of your fire risk assessment, this may include:

• Suitable fire detection and alarm systems
• Appropriate fire extinguishers, including wet chemical extinguishers where required
• Commercial kitchen fire suppression
• Emergency lighting
• Clear escape routes and fire signage
• Staff fire safety training
• Safe cooking and cleaning procedures
• Regular inspection and maintenance of cooking and fire safety equipment
• An up to date fire risk assessment

A restaurant fire suppression system should therefore be seen as one part of the wider fire protection arrangements for your premises. While suppression provides important protection around high risk cooking equipment, measures such as early warning, safe evacuation, and appropriate staff training remain essential.

Your fire risk assessment should bring these elements together and identify whether the controls in place are proportionate to the risks presented in the restaurant.

What types of fire suppression systems are used in restaurants?

Fires in restaurant kitchens present a particular danger because tackling them in the wrong way can make the situation significantly worse.

A standard water fire extinguisher should never be used on burning cooking oils or fats. Introducing water to extremely hot oil can cause the burning material to spread violently, putting anyone nearby at serious risk.

For this reason, commercial kitchens may require Class F wet chemical fire extinguishers, which are specifically designed for fires involving cooking oils and fats.

Portable extinguishers, however, rely on someone being present, recognising the fire, selecting the correct extinguisher, and being able to use it safely. In a fast developing kitchen fire, this may not always be possible.

Automatic kitchen fire suppression systems provide another form of protection. These systems can be positioned around areas such as cooking appliances, canopies, and extraction equipment so that the suppression agent is discharged directly onto the protected risk if the system activates.

Depending on the system and installation, activation may also initiate other actions, such as shutting down the relevant fuel or heat supply.

How do restaurant kitchen fire suppression systems work?

Commercial kitchen suppression systems typically use a wet chemical agent designed specifically for the risks created by cooking oils, fats, and grease.

When the system detects conditions associated with a fire, the suppression agent is released through strategically positioned nozzles onto the protected cooking equipment. The wet chemical helps cool the burning oil and creates a layer over the surface, suppressing the flames and helping to prevent reignition.

Because the system is designed around the individual cooking line and its associated risks, the positioning of appliances and nozzles is important. Changes to a kitchen layout or the replacement of cooking equipment may therefore require the suppression arrangements to be reviewed.

The system should also be professionally inspected and maintained so that it remains ready to operate if required.

Does every restaurant need a fire suppression system?

There is no single answer that applies to every restaurant. The individual fire risks within the premises and the measures required to control them will depend on whether a restaurant fire suppression system is appropriate.

Some other factors that should be considered include:

• The type of cooking undertaken
• The appliances being used
• Whether deep fat fryers, chargrills, ranges, or similar high heat equipment are present
• The quantity and type of cooking oils and fats used
• The design and layout of the kitchen
• The position of cooking equipment in relation to escape routes
• Canopy and extraction arrangements
• The likelihood of fire spreading beyond the appliance
• The findings of your fire risk assessment
• Requirements imposed by insurers or other relevant parties

A small commercial kitchen with limited cooking processes will present different risks from a large restaurant operating several fryers, grills, and ranges throughout a busy service.

The key question is therefore not simply whether all restaurants require the same system, but whether the fire risks within your kitchen justify fixed suppression as part of the overall restaurant fire protection strategy.

A professional fire risk assessment can help identify the measures required for the premises and whether a fixed kitchen fire suppression system should form part of those arrangements.

What are the regulations for fire suppression in commercial kitchens?

There isn’t a blanket UK rule stating that every commercial kitchen must have exactly the same type of fixed fire suppression system.

However, restaurants and other commercial premises are subject to fire safety legislation. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the ‘Responsible Person’ must ensure that a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out and that appropriate measures are in place to reduce fire risks and protect people.

For restaurants, this means the fire risk assessment should consider the hazards created by cooking processes, oils and fats, heat sources, electrical equipment, extraction systems, and the way the kitchen operates.

Where the assessment identifies that kitchen fire suppression is an appropriate control measure, this should form part of the premises’ wider fire safety arrangements.

Any installed systems should also be maintained appropriately. Records of fire safety arrangements, assessments, and relevant maintenance should be kept so that the responsible person can demonstrate how fire risks are being managed.

It’s also important to check the requirements of your insurance provider. Commercial property or restaurant insurance policies may specify particular controls relating to cooking equipment, extraction systems, or fixed fire suppression.

Let us take care of your restaurant fire protection

At Hoyles Fire & Safety, we support restaurants and commercial kitchens with a wide range of fire safety services and products, including kitchen fire suppression, fire risk assessments, fire extinguishers, and much more.

We can assess the risks within your premises and recommend suitable measures based on your kitchen layout, cooking equipment, and existing fire safety arrangements. Where a restaurant fire suppression system is required, our team can support you with the appropriate solution, installation, and ongoing maintenance.

We work with businesses throughout Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield, and the wider UK thanks to the nationwide support available through the LS Fire Group. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to discuss your restaurant fire protection requirements in more detail or to arrange a professional fire risk assessment.