Ansul Fire Suppression Systems on Restaurant Hoods: What to Know

If you run a restaurant, it’s important to comply with your local building codes and regulations. One vital safety measure is to have a robust fire protection system set in place. When it comes to this, a fixed fire suppression system is required over cooking appliances that produce grease-laden vapors, and the Ansul R-102 is one widely used system for restaurant hoods. Having this will quickly and easily suppress and stop a fire before it escalates into a major outbreak.

In this article, we’ll cover what you need to know about the Ansul fire suppression system, how it works, and why you should have one installed on your restaurant hoods.

What is an Ansul system?

Ansul is a fire protection brand made by Johnson Controls (Tyco Fire Protection Products). In a restaurant, “an Ansul system” usually means the Ansul R-102, a UL 300 wet-chemical fire suppression system with nozzles aimed at the cooking appliances and at the plenum and duct above them. Heat-sensitive fusible links detect a fire and release the system automatically, a manual pull station can set it off by hand, and when it activates it shuts off fuel or power to the protected appliances. For Ansul inspection, repair and installation, see our kitchen fire suppression page.

What an Ansul fire suppression system 

The Ansul R-102 Restaurant Fire Suppression System is designed to suppress a fire in your restaurant, particularly in your kitchen. It works by promptly knocking down flames, quickly cooling hot surfaces, and simultaneously generating a vapor-securing blanket to prevent re-ignition. The system typically connects to cooking and ventilating equipment pieces such as restaurant hoods, ducts, filters, and plenums, among many others. 

Ansul consists of special hazard fire protection products designed to meet strict standards and tested by independent labs and approval agencies. It also caters to the aviation, hospitality, education, healthcare, manufacturing, and not to mention the restaurant industries. 

Why it’s effective for restaurant fire outbreak

It’s essential to avoid any potential fire outbreak in any restaurant, which is more likely to happen due to the constant use of fire and regular exposure to heat. 

When a fire starts, it’s vital to suppress it as soon as possible. Unfortunately, using water isn’t a viable solution in stopping a fire, as grease flame spreads when mixed with water. The fixed suppression system is the primary protection for the cooking line, and Class K portable extinguishers complement it. Where a fixed system is installed, OSHA says to activate the fixed system first and use the Class K extinguisher only after that. That is where a fire suppression system comes into the picture.

How an Ansul fire suppression system works

In most cases, a fire suppression system is connected to the hood over the cooking station and the gas line through it. When it is tripped, it will automatically be triggered to turn the gas line off.

When a fire breaks, this system will quickly knock down the flame. Furthermore, it will promptly cool the hot surfaces to prevent any flare trigger, and it creates a vapor securing blanket to prevent the fire from rekindling. 

What to know about a restaurant hood

An exhaust hood hangs above the stove or cooktop in the kitchen and is connected to a fan. It is designed to get rid of airborne grease, combustion products, fumes, smoke, heat, and steam from the air. As it essentially provides proper ventilation to enhance the kitchen safety and foster everybody’s good health in the establishment, be sure it is in place along with your fire suppression system.

Scope note: Atlantic Fire Protection does not install or repair exhaust fans and does not clean or repair kitchen hoods. We install new commercial kitchen hoods and we inspect, install, maintain, and repair kitchen fire suppression systems.

Ansul Is a Brand, and the R-102 Is a Restaurant System

ANSUL is a fire protection brand, not a single product. Under the ANSUL name you’ll find several kinds of equipment, including portable extinguishers and pre-engineered restaurant fire suppression systems such as the ANSUL R-102. When restaurant owners say “our Ansul system,” they usually mean the kitchen fire suppression system over the cooking line. The R-102 is a UL 300 wet-chemical system that discharges a liquid agent onto the cooking surfaces and into the hood plenum, filters, and exhaust duct. On hot cooking oil, wet chemical agents cool the fuel and form a soap-like layer on the surface that helps keep it from reigniting.

How a Kitchen Suppression System Responds to a Fire

A restaurant fire suppression system does not predict or prevent fires. It is built to respond when one happens. Heat-sensitive detectors, such as fusible links, over the cooking equipment and hood sense high temperatures and release the system, and a manual pull station can set it off by hand. When it activates, it discharges agent through nozzles aimed at the cooking appliances, hood, and duct. A gas shut-off valve or electrical shutoff stops fuel or power to the protected appliances. Chemical suppression works by cooling, smothering, starving the fire of fuel, or interrupting the combustion process, depending on the agent.

Systems and Extinguishers Work Together

A kitchen suppression system protects the cooking line it was designed for. Kitchens also need portable extinguishers, including Class K extinguishers where cooking oils and fats are used. A Class K portable is not a substitute for the fixed system, and the fixed system is not a substitute for portable extinguishers. Keep rags in metal containers, separating clean from dirty, because they are a fire hazard when left around.

Who Needs a Kitchen Suppression System

Kitchens with an open range or similar cooking equipment that produces grease-laden vapors typically need one. Some enclosed cooking equipment, such as certain pizza ovens, may be exempt, so check your local code. Even where a system is not required, a system helps protect your staff and your investment, since even careful kitchens face unknown risks. Other fire risks to plan for include unattended cooking, smoking, and electrical faults.

Choosing a Suppression System and a Provider

• Not one-size-fits-all: Different systems suit different hazards. Some are made for warehouses and paper fires, while others are engineered for grease fires. Tell your provider your business type, cooking equipment, and fire risks. Useful features for a commercial kitchen include a mechanical gas shut-off, a remote pull station, and distribution piping.
• Professional installation: Installing a suppression system is difficult and dangerous without training, and installers in New Jersey are required to hold the appropriate certifications. Do not treat it as a DIY job.
• Buy early: When opening a new business, leave plenty of lead time for selecting, ordering, and installing the system so delays do not hold up your opening.
• If the kitchen changes: If you add, remove, or move appliances, the system’s design and coverage should be reviewed; moving a nozzle is not always enough.

For ongoing service, see our inspection guide for kitchen fire suppression systems and the signs your system needs repair.

Conclusion

At this point, you now know what an Ansul fire suppression system is. Be sure to have this system installed on your restaurant hoods and consider all the valuable information discussed above. 

Because of this, it’s best to hire a professional service to have this installed in your restaurant’s kitchen. If you already have one, it’s a good idea to set a regular Ansul fire suppression system maintenance in place to ensure it’s working optimally. To that end, the Ansul system aims to protect your property, your employees, customers, and the business in general!

Are you looking to have an Ansul system installation in New Jersey for your kitchen? We inspect, install, maintain, and repair Ansul and other kitchen fire suppression systems, including kitchen hood suppression inspection every six months. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help!