Commercial Kitchen Fire Extinguisher Requirements

Commercial Kitchen Fire Extinguisher Requirements

Commercial Kitchens 

Commercial Kitchens need to be treated differently to most other buildings as there are greater risks than are normally encountered.  One of the greatest risks associated is from the Class F fire class. This is cooking oils and fats eg: Chip pans and fryers. Also including vegetable oil, oilve oil, lard butter and drippings.

The correct type of Fire Extinguisher to be used on this fire type is a Wet Chemical Extinguisher. This is identifiied by its Oatmeal coloured band.

Only use Wet Chemical Extinguishers on Class F or Class A fires.

Never use water on Class F fires as it can make the fire worse.

The surface area and volume of the oil will dictate the minimum rating of the Wet Chemical Extinguisher that is required for the specific hazard. 

The Wet Chemical Extinguisher needs to be installed a minimum of 2m from the hazard, with the correct bracket, at the correct height with the correct signage at the correct height. It also needs to be the closest extinguisher to the hazard. 

The Wet Chemical Extinguisher has an A class fire rating of 1A or 3A which is very low. It may be able to help on very small class A fires but will likely require a Dry Powder ABE type extinguisher to help cover the fire hazards for the rest of the building to make it compliant with the standard NZS4503:2005.

 

This is an excerpt from the Standard NZS4503:2005 for Hand Operated Fire Fighting Equipment HOFFE  for Class F Fire Hazards


3.5.7 Class F Fire Hazards

In areas where the hazard involves cooking oils or fats, a fire extinguisher with a Class F rating applicable to the surface area and volume of the hazard shall be provided, See table 3.3. The extinguisher shall be located no closer than 2m from the hazard and shall be the nearest fire extinguisher to the hazard.

This may be achieved by using either dedicated units (i.e. specific to the hazard), or fire extinguishers with suitable Class F ratings that form part of the Class A protection. 

Where there is a fixed kitchen fire suppression system installed , a sign should be installed adjacent to the fire extinguisher advising to operate the fixed system first. In such cases the fire extinguisher should be located adjacent to the fixed system manual pull station. 

Table 3.3 - Minimum rating of fire extinguishers for Class F fire hazards. 


Minimum Rating

Maximum surface area

Of oil/fat

m2

Maximum volume 

Of oil/fat

Litre 

1F


0.05

 3.5

2F

0.15

10.5

3F

0.25

17.5

4F

0.35

52.5


NOTE:

  1. 4F is the highest rating.

  2. Where the volume exceeds 52.5 litre at least a 7 litre fire extinguisher having a 4F rating shall be installed.

  3. Class F hazards with dimensions greater than those in this table may be beyond the capability of hand operated fire-fighting equipment, and special advice should be sought. 

  4. Refer to the definition of hazard in 1.4 (of the standard NZS4503:2005) 

  5. Cognizance needs to be taken of the ability of people to lift and carry heavier equipment.

  6. The figures in this table are based on the performance achieved by professional fire-fighters, with a  de-rating factor applied to account for equipment use by minimally trained persons. 


This excerpt has been included to help you choose the correct size of Wet Chemical fire extinguisher for your Class F hazard. 

You need to also take into account the need for a fire blanket (and commonly) Dry Powder ABE type extinguishers that have been correctly sized to cover the rest of the restaurant fire hazards. 

A business that has fire extinguishers on their premises is required to have them tested and certified by a suitably qualified technician at least every 12 months to stay compliant to the HOFFE standard NZS4503:2005.

We can offer this service in the Auckland area. 

 

Fire Blankets with signage should also be installed in a Commercial Kitchen.

Fire Blankets compliment extinguishers as another method of extinguishing fires. They may be useful in attacking small Class A,B and F fires in a container. They can also be used as a thermal barrier against radiated heat or to control a fire in clothing while being worn.

Fire Blankets also need to be correctly installed at the correct height, in the correct locaton and with the correct signage to meet the standard NZS4503:2005.

Dependant on the size and layout of the building, the fire hazard rating and minimum fire extinguisher classification requirements will dictate the type and quantity of fire extinguishers required to meet the standard NZS4503:2005 for the rest of the building.

All these things are covered off when we send a technician to have a look over the site.

This service is available in the Auckland area only.

Please contact us if you have any questions at all.

thefireextinguisherwarehouse@gmail.com

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