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What is UL-300?
UL-300 is a kitchen fire suppression standard developed by
Underwriters Laboratories (UL). It went into effect on November 21, 1994,
due to the changes and increased hazards of new cooking equipment. These
changes were caused by new, more efficient, appliances and
 a
switch in cooking oils from lard to vegetable oils. The problem with vegetable oils being used is that their
auto-ignition temperature can be as much as
120 degrees higher. When the discharge
of the fire suppression unit comes in contact with the fatty acids of the oil,
thick bubbles form on top of the oil,
suppressing the fire until the oil drops below the auto-ignition temperature.
Higher auto-ignition temperatures make fires harder to extinguish and can
cause the fire to re-ignite spontaneously. Newer appliances are also
better insulated and help keep oils above their auto-ignition temperature,
helping the fire last longer.
Do I have to Upgrade to UL-300?
First, you should check with your local AHJ
(Authority Having Jurisdiction) for local code
requirements. Many dry chemical systems are
outdated and require hydro-testing. These
tanks are not allowed to be refilled and put back
into service because they do not comply with UL-300.
Manufacturers also do not supply replacement parts
for these systems. Before it becomes an
emergency, we can upgrade the system on your
schedule, keeping downtime and expense to a minimum.
What about portable extinguishers?
Another part of the UL-300 is that a Class K
fire extinguisher must be on hand. Having a
40B:C rated sodium bicarbonate is no longer acceptable. NFPA-10 and
NFPA-96
 both
mandate having a portable extinguisher available in the case of a malfunction of
your primary hardware. One example of
when this may be beneficial is when a grease
spill occurs out of the range of the hood
system. Dry chemical extinguishers are just not able to remove the amount
of heat generated by the new cooking oils and appliances. While any size
extinguisher is acceptable for meeting the code, make sure you have one of our
professionals to help you decide what size best suits your safety needs.
What do I need to do when I am ready to upgrade
to UL-300?
If you need to upgrade or install a new UL-300 certified fire suppression system
the first step is to contact us. Our experts
in fire suppression can help you plan the most effective fire protection for
your specific needs. From portable fire extinguishers to new or upgrading
hood suppression systems, we can do it all!
Links
http://www.badgerfire.com/utcfs/Templates/Pages/Template-53/0,8062,pageId=5938&siteId=603,00.html
FEMA Recommended
Decision Tree for Servicing Pre-Engineered Systems
Protecting Commercial Cooking Operations.
Sources
http://www.nafed.org/resources/library/UL300.cfm
http://www.femalifesafety.org/docs/2926-FAQ-UL300&K.pdf
http://www.dps.state.mn.us/FMARSHAL/FireCode/INS20KitchenHoodSystems.pdf |
