A kitchen fire suppression system is a critical safety feature in any commercial kitchen or food preparation area. Designed to detect and extinguish fires quickly, these systems help protect lives, property, and business continuity. In this deep dive, we’ll explore how kitchen fire suppression systems operate, why they’re installed, and the key UK regulations that govern their design and use.
A kitchen fire suppression system is an automatic fire-fighting mechanism specifically engineered to combat fires that occur in commercial kitchens—particularly those involving cooking oils, fats, and high-temperature equipment. These systems are commonly installed above cooking appliances like fryers, grills, and ovens, where fire risks are highest potentially because of faulty appliances with incorrectly fitted parts. Make sure you service your equipment with the correct catering spares.
Modern kitchen fire suppression systems use a combination of detection, chemical suppression, and automatic equipment shutdown to control and extinguish fires before they spread.
Most systems use heat-sensitive fusible links or electronic heat detectors that trigger the system when a critical temperature is reached, typically above cooking surfaces.
Once activated, the system releases a wet chemical extinguishing agent directly over the affected cooking appliances and into the extract ductwork. This agent reacts with hot oils and grease to create a soapy foam through a process called saponification, cooling the fire and preventing re-ignition.
Simultaneously, the system will automatically shut off the gas or electrical supply to the appliances, eliminating the source of heat and fuel.
The system can also trigger an audible and visual alarm and notify connected monitoring stations or fire alarm panels.
Commercial kitchens are high-risk environments for fire due to the presence of:
Open flames and high heat
Large volumes of flammable oils and grease
Fast-paced, high-activity workflows
Installing a kitchen fire suppression system is essential because it:
Protects life and property
Reduces fire damage and downtime
Helps meet insurance requirements
Ensures regulatory compliance
In the UK, kitchen fire suppression systems must comply with a range of health, safety, and fire protection regulations. These include:
This is the European standard for fire suppression in commercial kitchen ventilation systems. It covers design, performance, and testing requirements.
Issued by LPCB (Loss Prevention Certification Board), LPS 1223 is a performance standard for kitchen fire suppression systems. Certification to this standard is often a requirement for insurance purposes.
Fire safety in buildings, including commercial kitchens, is governed by Part B of the UK Building Regulations. It recommends the use of appropriate fire suppression systems, especially in environments with enhanced fire risk.
While primarily covering portable fire extinguishers, BS 5306 also references fixed systems and outlines best practices in fire protection.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, employers and business owners are legally required to assess and mitigate fire risks, which often includes fitting a suppression system.
Kitchen fire suppression systems must be:
Installed by certified professionals
Tailored to the kitchen layout and cooking appliances
Regularly maintained and tested (usually every 6 months)
Re-certified after any kitchen layout changes
Insurers and fire authorities may request maintenance records and certification documentation as part of routine checks.
ANSUL R-102 (widely adopted, LPS 1223 certified)
Piranha by Kidde
Reacton KitchenGuard
FireDETEC by Rotarex
These systems differ in detection method, discharge nozzles, and chemical agent formulations but all serve the same core function—rapid fire suppression with minimal damage.
Fitting a kitchen fire suppression system isn’t just best practice—it’s a safety necessity. Whether you operate a restaurant, takeaway, school canteen, or any commercial food service, protecting your kitchen from fire hazards is non-negotiable.
By installing a certified, regulation-compliant system, you ensure:
Rapid response to dangerous fires
Protection of staff and customers
Legal and insurance compliance
Business continuity
If you’re planning a new kitchen or upgrading your fire safety measures, working with a certified installer and choosing a system that meets UK standards like LPS 1223 and BS EN 16282-7 is crucial.
