St. Louis Fire Suppression Systems Service

Weber Fire and Safety will not only service your fire extinguishers but we will also install or inspect your fire suppression systems. If your building or manufacturing process includes flammable or combustible liquids, those areas would require fire suppression systems such as FM 200, carbon dioxide, wet chemical, or dry chemical. These systems use gaseous or chemical agents specifically designed to vanquish the fire where it initiates. Specific, non-water based fire suppression is used when sprinklers would damage the contents of the area. The following provides insight into each type of fire suppression system and their common applications.

Commercial Kitchen Wet Chemical Fire Suppression Systems

Commercial cooking operations use wet chemical fire suppression systems to protect the contents of the kitchen, appliances, and in turn the building. In the event of a cooking appliance fire, the system discharges a chemical through specific spray nozzles; suppresses the fire, blankets the flames, and prevents the fire from reigniting. This wet chemical fire suppression system is an effective way of containing the fire which prevents work stoppage and reduction of profitability. Most, if not all fire protection districts and authorities having jurisdiction require wet chemical fire suppression systems in commercial kitchens. Applicable Codes: NFPA 17A & NFPA 96

Inspection Points of Kitchen Wet Chemical Fire Suppression System

• Check for visual signs that the system has been fired, tampered with or leaked. Disconnect system for inspection.
• Check cylinder condition and hydrostatic test date. Check the regulator test date of the system, if applicable.
• Check all piping and conduit to verify they are secure and properly mounted. Verify pipe and nozzles are free of blockage and properly aimed at appliance surfaces.
• Replace all fusible links. If system is electrical, test the detectors, the control panels and the battery back-up to ensure proper functionality. (Fusible links should be replaced on a semi-annual basis.)
• Perform a dry test of the system for automatic operation and manual release.
• Check operation of gas shut-off and/or electrical shut-off. (This test may require a short interruption in the cooking operation but is an important part of the inspection and is required by state and local fire codes.)
• Confirm the fuel shut-off is in the “on” position. Weigh and replace fire system cartridges as required.
• Check chemical type and quantity. (Some systems require the cylinder agent be checked for proper type and quantity every six months.)
• Verify the filter type in the hood and proper decals at the remote pull stations are in place.
• Complete the restaurant inspection report and attach inspection tags. Check for proper type of portable fire extinguishers in kitchen area (K class) and verify they have been properly inspected.

Kitchen Fire Suppression/Wet Chemical Maintenance Schedule

• 6-month service inspection required
• 6-month pipe blowout (NFPA required).
• 12-year Hydrostatic Test depending on manufacturer.

Dry Chemical Fire Suppression Systems

Dry chemical fire suppression systems dispense a chemical compound designed to extinguish flames caused by flammable and combustible liquids. Some applicable hazards that would require dry chemical fire suppression would be mechanical rooms, furnace rooms, flammable liquid storage areas, and paint booths. Dry chemical fire suppression systems are effective in extinguishing fires in these types of areas and rooms have one major drawback. Dry chemical fire suppression systems create quite a mess when they are released. However, the cost of cleanup and recharging the system is far less than replacing the items that the system is protecting, not mention protecting the livelihood of the employees.

All of these fire suppressions systems are used in many different and varying applications with the exception of wet chemical systems which are always used in commercial kitchen cooking operations. Weber Fire, as your service provider, will consult with The Authority Having Jurisdiction and review NFPA code requirements to determine which type of fire suppression system is needed based on the hazard in the facility. If you have any questions about fire suppression systems, please contact us. Applicable Code: NFPA 17

Dry Chemical Maintenance Schedule

• 6 month service inspection required
• 12-year Hydrostatic Test required

Clean Agent Fire Suppression Systems 

FM 200 fire suppression systems work by discharging its gas into the fire, lowering the temperature of the flames by essentially removing the heat from the fire to the point that it can not be sustained. Because the agent is discharged as a gas there is no cleanup afterward. The gas essentially evaporates and does not damage electronics like water would when using a sprinkler system. FM 200 is perfect for computer rooms, museums, historical archives, and other areas where the contents must be preserved. FM 200 systems require a smaller footprint compared to other systems and generally safe to be in areas that are occupied. Applicable Code: NFPA 2001

Inspection points of clean agent fire suppression systems

• Check all initiating devices and verify time delays for system discharge.
• Ensure releasing device activates properly.
• Verify abort device and manual release functionality.
• Check weight and/or pressure of agent containers.
• Verify the orientation of all discharge, pipe fittings and nozzles.
• Perform enclosure integrity test.
• Check batteries and signal.
• Verify as-built drawings and flow calculations.

Clean Agent Maintenance Schedule

• 6-month inspection of suppression agent containers to confirm proper weight and/or pressure.
• 1-year inspection and testing of entire suppression system including initiating devices, release devices, piping, nozzles, agent containers and signal.
• 5-year certified inspection of containers.

Carbon Dioxide Fire Suppression Systems

When a carbon dioxide fire suppression system is discharged, the gas extinguishes the fire by eliminating the oxygen thus terminating the fire. These systems are also clean and efficient and safe to use for many applications such as printing presses, spray booths, flammable liquid storage, and dip tanks utilize this system. The main limitation of these fire suppression systems is that the CO2 agent is extremely dangerous to personnel. Much precaution has to be taken with regard to the installation locations of these systems. As your fire service professional, Weber Fire would enact thorough measures to comply with NFPA and OSHA requirements for these this type of installation. Applicable Code: NFPA 12

CO2 Maintenance Schedule

• 5-year Hydrostatic Test if cylinders holding agent have been emptied before.
• 12-year Hydrostatic Test if cylinders have never been emptied (system has never discharged).