PLACENTIA AND LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — When people think of fire protection, their local fire department typically comes to mind.

But true fire protection begins not with the fire department, but with a quality fire suppression system that meets local, state and federal fire codes. Keeping abreast of those codes- or hiring a Riverside fire protection equipment company that does- is important to avoid relying on an outdated system in the unfortunate event of a fire.

There are two ways in which a restaurant or commercial kitchen fire suppression system can become outdated, said Massoud Farazandeh, who serves as general manager of Nationwide Fire Protection Corp., a Los Angeles and Riverside fire protection systems company. Although headquartered in Colorado, NFP opened a fabrication plant in Placentia in August 2009 to answer the call for Riverside sprinkler fire system and other services it offers throughout California.

One way is if the system itself no longer complies with current code. Dry systems- also known as powder chemical systems- are to be replaced with wet systems, as they are not complaint. Dry systems were much more mechanically complex and had more problems setting off, Farazandeh said. They also were difficult to inspect.

The other way a system can be outdated is if it misses its annual inspection. Every type of fire system must be tested and inspected annually. Fusible links, which are a component of the system, also need to be changed periodically. If not, the system will be deemed outdated and noncompliant to fire safety code.

It is a good idea for restaurant owners to assume that fire prevention will not ever be 100 percent successful, Farazandeh said.

Restaurant fires typically occur in the kitchen. According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire departments throughout the United States responded to an estimated average of 8,520 fires in drinking establishments and restaurants between 2000 and 2004.

Cooking materials such as food and confined cooking fires accounted for about half of those fires. For example, deep-fat fryers may use flammable cooking oil in their processes, which can result in grease build-up in hoods and ducts if they aren’t properly cleaned on a regular basis. If this grease build-up ignites during a fire, it can contribute to the spread of a fire, Farazandeh said. When restaurants have an automatic fire suppression system in place, the average loss per fire is reduced by more than 40 percent, according to the NFPA.

“Unfortunately, fires are bound to occur,” Farazandeh said. “But the size of the fire and the damage caused can be kept to a minimum, provided a proper fire suppression system is in place that has been tested to ensure it will work properly when you need it to.”

Nationwide Fire Protection Corp., offers inspection services to restaurants throughout the country that include a 37-step comprehensive inspection. Farazandeh said a thorough inspection by a professional company should include:

• Tripping the fire system from the terminal link.
• Tripping the system from the pull station.
• Visually inspecting for grease buildup in the ducts and the plenum.
• Visual inspecting the cable for the brackets, fusible links, mechanical head, CO2 cartridges and other parts of the fire system.
• Checking for the proper coverage of the nozzles over the equipment.
• Ensuring that nozzles have proper caps.
• Ensuring proper function of the gas automatic shut-off valve.
• Ensuring that the pull pin and seal are properly replaced properly and the system is tagged.

Learn More
If you would like to learn more about the fire suppression system services offered by Nationwide Fire Protection Corp. or you want more information about the company, call (800) 750-7055, or visit the company’s Web site: http://www.nationwidefireprotection.com/.

About Nationwide Fire Protection Corp.
Chief Executive Officer Massoud Farazandeh founded Nationwide Fire Protection Corp. in 1989 and grew the business into a national leader in fire protection and hood installations of restaurants and facilities. In August 2009, he opened a satellite location in Placentia, CA. The company’s comprehensive service offerings enable businesses to do what they do best, which is to focus on their customers and their business. In turn, NFP focuses on what it knows best- keeping businesses in compliance and ensuring the safety of restaurants, staff and patrons.

NFP prides itself on providing exemplary service, offers a quality guarantee and maintains a dependable and highly qualified staff. All crew members are professionally trained to comply with the National Fire Prevention Association Standards and state and local codes.
Nationwide Fire Protection is fully insured and bonded. It is licensed in fire protection contracting in addition to our licensure in the mechanical and electrical fields.

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