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Kitchen Fire Suppression Systems

Efe Fire & Electrical designs, installs and maintains wet chemical kitchen fire suppression systems for commercial kitchens in London and across the UK. As a BAFE SP206 registered company, we issue a Certificate of Compliance with every installation and service, and the systems we fit are tested to BS EN 17446. We protect restaurants, takeaways, hotels, pubs, schools, care homes and catering businesses.

Kitchen Fire Suppression at a Glance

A kitchen fire suppression system is an automatic fire extinguishing system fitted above commercial cooking appliances, inside the canopy (plenum) and in the extract duct. When it detects a fire, it releases a wet chemical agent that puts out burning cooking oil and fat, cools the appliance and stops the fire from reigniting. At the same time it shuts off the gas and electric supply to the cooking equipment.

 

Key facts

  • Fire type: Class F fires involving cooking oils and fats in fryers, woks, griddles, chargrills, ranges and solid fuel ovens.

  • Activation: Automatic heat detection in the canopy, with a manual pull station near the kitchen exit.

  • Fuel shut off: Gas and electricity to the cooking appliances are isolated automatically, for example with a Cookline FlowStop+ interlock.

  • Standards: Systems tested to BS EN 17446 and LPCB LPS 1223, installed and maintained under the BAFE SP206 scheme.

  • Paperwork: A BAFE SP206 Certificate of Compliance after installation and after every service visit.

  • Price: Highly competitive. As a BAFE SP206 registered company we install BS EN 17446 approved systems, usually at a lower price than premium branded systems such as Ansul.

  • Servicing: At least every six months by an authorised engineer, in line with manufacturer and insurer requirements.

  • Installation: Usually 7 to 10 hours on site, and it can be carried out outside trading hours.

  • Lead time: Typically one to two weeks from order.

  • Area covered: London and the home counties, with installation available across the UK.

 

How a kitchen fire suppression system works

  • 1. Detection. Fusible links or detection tubing in the canopy react to the heat of a fire on the cooking line.

  • 2. Discharge. The system releases wet chemical agent from a pressurised cylinder through nozzles aimed at each appliance, the canopy plenum and the extract duct.

  • 3. Smothering and cooling. The agent reacts with hot oil to form a soapy foam layer (saponification) that seals the surface, cools the oil and helps prevent reignition.

  • 4. Shut off. Gas and electricity to the cooking appliances are cut automatically, and the system can send a signal to the building fire alarm. 

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Why Choose Our Kitchen Fire Suppression Services?

Our wet chemical systems extinguish Class F fires, cool hot surfaces, and prevent reignition. These are the UK industry standard for restaurant and commercial kitchen fire suppression.

Specialist in London Commercial Kitchens

We understand the operational risks unique to professional kitchens in London and the UK.​

Fully Compliant & Insurance Approved 

All systems are installed in line with UK fire safety regulations and insurer requirements.​

Fast, Automatic Suppression

Our wet chemical fire suppression systems instantly control Class F fires.

Minimise Downtime

We help protect your assets while keeping your business operational.

End to End Service by Certified Technicians 

From design and installation to ongoing maintenance, our team has you covered.

Stainless steel duct and fire suppression pipework above a commercial kitchen
Kitchen fire suppression nozzles installed above fryers in a commercial kitchen
Kitchen fire suppression system protecting a busy restaurant cooking line
Kitchen extract canopy with fire suppression pipework during installation

Rules, Standards and Servicing Explained

Is a kitchen fire suppression system a legal requirement?

There is no single UK law that names suppression systems for every commercial kitchen. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person must carry out a fire risk assessment and put suitable fire precautions in place. For kitchens with deep fat fryers, woks, chargrills or solid fuel ovens, the fire risk assessment, the insurer or the landlord will usually require an automatic suppression system. Many insurers specify a system tested to BS EN 17446 and approved to LPCB LPS 1223, installed and maintained by a BAFE SP206 registered company.

 

Which kitchens need one?

  • Restaurants, takeaways and fast food outlets

  • Pubs, bars and hotels

  • School, hospital and care home kitchens

  • Staff canteens, contract caterers and dark kitchens

  • Food court and shopping centre units, where the landlord may require it

 

Kitchen fire suppression standards explained

  • BS EN 17446: The European standard for the design, documentation and fire testing of extinguishing systems in commercial kitchens. It covers the cooking appliances, the canopy plenum and the extract duct, and fire tests must be witnessed by an independent third party.

  • LPCB LPS 1223: The Loss Prevention Certification Board standard for fixed fire extinguishing systems for catering equipment, widely specified by UK insurers.

  • BAFE SP206: The third party certification scheme for companies that design, install, commission, recharge and maintain kitchen fire protection systems. Registered companies issue a Certificate of Compliance after installation and after each maintenance visit.

  • TR19 Grease: The BESA specification for cleaning kitchen extract ductwork. It recommends cleaning every 3 months for heavy use (12 to 16 hours a day), every 6 months for moderate use and every 12 months for light use.

 

Do I need an Ansul system?

Ansul is the best known kitchen fire suppression brand in the UK, but insurers and fire risk assessors generally specify a standard rather than a brand. What they look for is a system tested and approved to BS EN 17446, installed and maintained by a BAFE SP206 registered company and serviced at least every six months. We install BS EN 17446 approved wet chemical systems, and as a BAFE SP206 registered company we issue a Certificate of Compliance after every installation and service. This lets us offer a fully certified system at a noticeably lower price than premium branded systems.

 

What happens during a service visit?

  • Full inspection of the cylinder, pipework, nozzles and detection line

  • Replacement of fusible links where fitted, and cleaning of grease from the nozzles

  • Test of the manual pull station and the automatic release

  • Test of the gas and electric shut off and any fire alarm connection

  • A service label on the system and a BAFE SP206 Certificate of Compliance for your records

 

What affects the cost of a kitchen fire suppression system?

  • The number and type of cooking appliances under the canopy

  • The length of the canopy and whether the extract duct needs protection

  • Gas or electric shut off, for example a Cookline FlowStop+ interlock

  • Connection to the building fire alarm

  • Access, working hours and whether an old system needs removing

Send photos of your canopy, cooking line and gas meter through the form below and we will come back with a quotation or arrange a site survey.

 

About Efe Fire & Electrical

Efe Fire & Electrical Ltd (Company No. 11679645) is a fire safety and electrical contractor based at 46 Cuckoo Hall Lane, Edmonton, London N9 8DN. We hold BAFE SP203-1 and SP206, NICEIC and NAFDI accreditation and have over 20 years of experience in fire safety. Call 020 3797 6355 or email info@efefire.co.uk. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q / Can the fire suppression system be installed outside working hours?

Yes, we offer after hours installation to avoid disrupting your business operations.

Q / How soon can installation happen?

Typically within one to two weeks of your order, depending on the schedule and the size of the job.

Q / How long does the installation take?

A typical installation takes between 7 and 10 hours on site, depending on your kitchen layout and equipment. We can work early mornings, evenings or on closing days.

Q / Do you only cover London?

We’re based in London but offer nationwide kitchen fire suppression installation across the UK.

Q / Will your system be accepted by my insurance company?

In most cases, yes. Many UK insurers ask for a system tested to BS EN 17446 and approved to LPCB LPS 1223, installed and maintained by a BAFE SP206 registered company. Our systems are tested to BS EN 17446 and LPS 1223, and you receive a BAFE SP206 Certificate of Compliance to show your insurer. We recommend checking the exact wording of your policy before installation.

Q / Why choose a BAFE SP206 approved company?

BAFE SP206 certification ensures your system is professionally installed, maintained, and inspected. You’ll receive a Certificate of Compliance for your records, satisfying both fire safety requirements and insurance requirements.

Q / What standard do your fire suppression systems comply with?

Our systems are tested to BS EN 17446, the European standard for the design, documentation and fire testing of extinguishing systems in commercial kitchens, and to LPCB LPS 1223 for fixed fire extinguishing systems on catering equipment.

Q / Do you provide certification after installation?

Yes, a full Certificate of Compliance (BAFE SP206) is provided, confirming the system meets UK regulations.

Q / Can your system automatically shut down gas, electricity, and ventilation?

Our systems support Cookline FlowStop+ integration, allowing automatic shutdown of gas, electrical, extractor fans, fresh air, and air conditioning in the event of a fire. (FlowStop+ not included by default).

Q / Do you offer maintenance?

Yes. We service kitchen fire suppression systems at least every six months, in line with manufacturer and insurer requirements, and issue a BAFE SP206 Certificate of Compliance after each visit. Systems maintained by our certified engineers come with a 5 year warranty. 

Q / What appliances can be covered?

We protect fryers, woks, ranges, griddles, chargrills, salamander grills, combi ovens, pizza and solid fuel ovens, as well as the canopy plenum and the extract duct. Each nozzle is positioned for the appliance below it, so we design the system around your exact cooking line.

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