Accidentally discharging a kitchen suppression system is like a rite of passage for service technicians and inspectors. While everyone has their “oops” moment at least once in their career, it’s essential to use this as a learning opportunity, recognizing why it happened and how to prevent similar mistakes in the future. According to one Fire Protection Veteran Sales Leader, there are two primary reasons for accidental discharges to occur.
The first of these is the technician or inspector acting with haste. If you’re running behind or feeling overly confident in your abilities, this can cause you to rush and accidentally set off your customer’s kitchen suppression system. The second reason is closely related to the first, which involves utilizing tips and tricks. Implementing tips and tricks you’ve been taught outside the scope of the manual can increase the likelihood of an accidental discharge.
Once an accidental discharge happens, you’ll need to make a phone call to your boss to let them know to reschedule your next stop. The remainder of the day will include cleanup, recharge, and probably an invoice from their customer for lost revenue. Each manufacturer’s manual will have step-by-step cleanup and recharge instructions.
As uncommon as accidental discharges may seem, they do indeed happen. Redditor BadFishCM detailed his experience on r/KitchenConfidential, which defines itself as the “internet’s largest community of food industry professionals.” The Redditor’s thread described how a fire inspector accidentally set off his Ansul system at his Outback Steakhouse location, blaming the lines being “labeled wrong.”
BadFishCM also added more details in response to others’ comments, noting that:
- Inspectors’ insurance covered all damaged products and lost wages.
- They were sent a cleaner that was set to arrive within days, so they started cleaning themselves.
- Follow-up from the inspector’s cleaning company was required before reopening.
A deleted Redditor replied, saying this happened to him a few years prior. “They ended up paying out damages in cash in return for not filing an insurance claim. Not exactly sure how much it was, but definitely over 50k.” With over 550 replies, many more users sympathize with BadFishCM’s situation and share similar experiences of their kitchen suppression systems accidentally discharging.
Taking proper precautions to prevent accidental discharges of kitchen suppression systems is essential for maintaining a safe and efficient kitchen environment for your customers. One Fire Protection Veterans Sales Leader says the most effective method to reduce the possibility of accidental discharges is to have the manufacturer’s manual on your person, hard copy or digital, and to follow the service procedures step by step diligently. Doing so should help put your mind at ease day in and day out as you ensure the safety of your customers.
