Current affairs


damage heightened where a regular cleaning regime of the ducts and extract system is not adopted. A buildup of grease – fuel for any fire – through a lack of cleaning can overwhelm a suppression system, taking longer to quench flames or even failing to extinguish them.


Changing kitchen layouts Commercial kitchen equipment is frequently semi mobile and readily repositioned as needs change. When an original layout of the kitchen is adapted, there needs to be due consideration given to the positioning of the kitchen fire protection system for it to continue to be effective.


Customer perspective


How can the responsible person or duty holder be confident that installation and maintenance are indeed in line with relevant standards and demonstrate that they are fulfilling their rightful duty? The answer in large part can be addressed


by the duty holder having confidence in the competence of fire safety contractors holding third party certification, that is a certificate of approval for each of the services they provide. It is unwise to assume that a contractor who is competent to install and maintain fire extinguishers is equally competent in the maintenance of a fire detection system or a kitchen fire protection system.


When considering kitchen fire protection


systems, by choosing BAFE registered fire safety organisations it is now possible to obtain a Certificate of Compliance (an ‘MOT’, if you will) from the installer, at the time of installation and maintenance visits.


Raising standards


Together, BAFE and NSI are raising standards, with the latter providing audits of approved installers for both newly installed and maintained systems. It should be noted that this new NSI/BAFE scheme for commercial kitchen fire protection systems has the broad support of insurers, who are convinced that fire risk to people and property will be reduced as the scheme becomes more widely adopted. The endorsement by insurers of the impact


that correctly installed and maintained systems can have on mitigating risk in commercial kitchens may be reflected in premiums – it is wise to check the terms of a policy with the insurer at installation


Richard Jenkins is chief executive of the NSI. For more information, view page 5


Companies that are approved by NSI for kitchen fire protection systems can be found by searching the ‘Find A Company’ directory at www.nsi.org.uk


FOCUS


www.frmjournal.com DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020


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