If you’re looking to build or renovate the kitchen in your restaurant, you’ll need to invest in a kitchen hood fire suppression system.

Kitchen hood fire suppression systems are not only mandated in restaurant kitchens across North America, but they’re also crucial in ensuring that a fire is properly contained in the event of an emergency.

Kitchen hood fire suppression systems are also instrumental in ensuring that the infrastructure of your kitchen is undamaged in the event that a fire must be extinguished. Not having one can come at a cost to your safety and your business.

How Much Does A Kitchen Hood Fire Suppression System Cost?

The cost of a kitchen hood fire suppression system depends on the size of the hood it has to cover, as well as the type of cooking surfaces. However, typically they will cost between $2,000-$6,000.

The price will depend on the number of features it comes with, as well as the brand.

Which Kitchen Hood Fire Suppression System Should I Purchase?

Superior Hoods

Made in USA, Superior Hoods Fire Suppression Systems offer a variety of sizes for your kitchen.

Among the more popular brands that manufacture kitchen hood fire suppression systems, Superior Hoods appear to be the most cost effective.

Superior Hoods is UL 300 certified and is compliant with the standards set out by the National Fire Protection Association.

They offer a propriety liquid suppressing agent that disrupts the chemical reaction that causes fires, creates steam to cool down fires, and creates a layer of foam that ensures fires won’t be reignited.

While Superior Hoods create effective fire suppression systems, you may need to purchase additional accessories in order to meet the regional fire codes of your kitchen.

Here’s how much a Superior Hoods Kitchen Hood Fire Suppression System might cost:

Ansul

One of the more recognizable names in fire suppression technology is Ansul, owned by Tyco International. Ansul prides themselves on the effectiveness of their R-102 Restaurant Fire Suppression System, which uses ANSULEX Low pH liquid to quickly extinguish kitchen fires.

Ansul systems are capable of protecting every type of cooking equipment including range tops, broilers, fryers, and griddles.

They’re capable of quickly detecting fire using a unique arrangement of nozzle systems that ensures maximum coverage.

These systems are UL 300 listed, NFPA compliant and made in the USA. They come with a warranty and are particularly flexible as far as installation goes.

Here’s how much an Ansul Kitchen Hood Suppression System might cost:

Kidde

Kidde Kitchen Hood Fire Suppression Systems use thermo-bulb detectors to seek out fires. This triggers the system, which shuts down the fire source, activates the building alarm, and begins emitting a wet chemical agent.

Kidde uses their own APC wet chemical agent that works especially on fires caused by oil and grease. This agent extinguishes fires and also creates a protective layer that prohibits the reignition of fire.

These systems are backed by a warranty and 24-hour automatic protection. Kidde Kitchen Hood Fire Suppression Systems are also designed to minimize kitchen downtime so you can return to your normal operations as quickly as possible.

Kidde also offers kitchen hood fire suppression systems that are tailormade to food trucks and concession stands.

How Does A Kitchen Hood Fire Suppression System Work?

A kitchen hood fire suppression is connected to the ventilation hoods overtop cooking stations like stoves, ovens and deep fryers. They’re also connected to the gas lines that power these cooking stations.

Once a fire is detected, the system is tripped, and the gas line is cut off. Nozzles attached to the hood will emit a chemical mixture that is capable of putting out grease fires (Source).

Are There Any Other Fire Suppression Accessories I Should Purchase?

In addition to having a kitchen hood fire suppression system properly installed, it’s always a good idea to have handheld fire extinguishers handy.

A dry chemical fire extinguisher from the brand Badger can cost between $67.35-$118.25. However, a wet chemical fire extinguisher from Badger could run you roughly $259.03-$281.56.

These portable fire extinguishers come with a 6-year warranty and come in various weights and quantities.

A horn strobe is also a solid investment that can help you ensure the safety of your employees and patrons. A horn strobe can cost between $202.60-$220.22 and allows you to choose the volume and strobe pattern to alert people of a fire.

Ready to Install a Kitchen Hood Fire Suppression System?

To install a kitchen hood fire suppression system, you’ll likely need the assistance of a professional. This can even be done by the same individual who installs your ventilation hood.

Kitchen hood fire suppression systems aren’t just for protecting your investment; they’re actually mandated by the National Fire Prevention Association in the US.

The best fire suppression systems will quickly put out any fire coming from the kitchen with minimal damage to your equipment.

While the rest of a restaurant isn’t as susceptible to fires as the kitchen, it’s important to have a proper commercial fire alarm system, as well as a commercial fire sprinkler – so ensure that you know the costs of these systems as well.