UL 300 Inspections for Kitchen Fire Suppression Systems

Changing conditions in restaurant kitchens have created the need for big changes in kitchen fire suppression systems. High efficiency fryers heat up much more quickly and cool down much more slowly than older fryers, and vegetable oil burns at a much higher temperature than animal fat, meaning that older methods of kitchen fire suppression are ineffective against it.

To answer these changing conditions, Underwriters Laboratories created the UL 300, a new standard for kitchen fire suppression system testing and inspection. The UL 300 testing conditions are designed to more closely resemble actual field conditions and hazards.

If you are looking for a UL 300 inspection of your restaurant’s suppression system in the Houston, TX area, contact Kauffman Co. today! Our fire protection technicians have been providing inspections, installations, and repair for fire suppression systems in Texas restaurants and commercial kitchens for decades.

Changes with the UL 300 Inspection

Wondering what has changed with the new commercial kitchen inspections?

The deep fat fryer test is now done using an actual fryer with specified heating and cooling rates–previously it was done using a simulator.
A two minute pre-burn after auto-ignition is now required for fryer inspections–previously only one minute was required.
The appliance “fuel-off” condition during the pre-burn stage was changed to “fuel-on.”
A minimum grease auto-ignition temperature of 685 degrees Fahrenheit was added for inspection.

Since the UL 300 was updated primarily due to changes in fryers, inspection requirements for hood and duct protection has not been changed. Kauffman Co. technicians are fully trained in UL 300 compliance and can perform all the required inspection and testing for your Texas-located commercial kitchen fire suppression system.

UL 300 Inspections of New Systems

In order to qualify for a UL listing, kitchen fire suppression systems must be manufactured in compliance with UL 300 inspection standards. Used kitchen fire suppression systems (or new systems that were manufactured prior to 1994) should not be installed if they do not meet UL 300 inspection standards.

UL 300 Inspections of Existing Systems

Underwriters Laboratories does not “unlist” restaurant fire protection systems that were listed prior to the implementation of the UL 300 inspection standards. As long as conditions within the kitchen still comply with the original listing requirements, the kitchen fire suppression system will continue to qualify as UL listed.

There are certain conditions under which UL listing can be lost. If the scope of hazard in the kitchen has been changed but the fire suppression system has not, then the kitchen fire suppression will no longer meet UL 300 inspection standards. For instance, if fryers have been replaced with high-efficiency vegetable oil fryers, but the kitchen fire suppression system has not been upgraded, it will no longer comply.

Another way to lose UL listing is by having an obsolete kitchen fire suppression system. Since they are no longer being manufactured, many of the replacement parts for pre-UL 300 kitchen fire suppression systems are not being manufactured. Lack of replacement parts will void your UL listing. In this case, you will need to install a new fire suppression system for your kitchen’s employee safety and property protection.

Schedule a Kitchen Inspection in Houston, Texas

If you are ready for a kitchen fire suppression system inspection for your Houston, Texas restaurant, call Kauffman Co. today. Our certified technicians are trained in UL 300 inspections and can make sure that your kitchen fire suppression system is up to code and operating as effectively as it can be—protecting your employees, customers, and property.