Why Kitchen Fire Suppression Systems Matter
Every commercial kitchen — from small cafés to busy restaurant chains — faces a serious fire risk. Cooking oils, grease-laden vapors, and open flames can ignite quickly, spreading fire through the exhaust hood and ducts in seconds.
That’s where a kitchen fire suppression system comes in. It’s a pre-engineered , wet chemical fire suppression system designed to detect and extinguish fires in cooking appliances, exhaust ducts, and hoods automatically.
If you own or manage a food establishment in Ontario, it’s not optional — it’s required by law.
The Legal Framework in Ontario
The requirements for commercial kitchen fire suppression systems come from three major codes and standards:
- Ontario Building Code (OBC) — governs the design and installation of new systems.
- Ontario Fire Code (OFC) — governs maintenance, inspection, and ongoing compliance of existing systems.
- NFPA 17A (Wet Chemical Extinguishing Systems) — the technical standard referenced by both the OBC and OFC.
Together, they form a comprehensive framework that ensures all commercial cooking operations in Ontario are properly protected from fire.
1. Ontario Building Code Requirements
The Ontario Building Code (O. Reg. 332/12) is the first document that determines when a kitchen fire suppression system is required.
Under Part 6 – Fire Protection, Occupant Safety and Accessibility, the OBC states that:
Sentence 6.2.2.7.(1): Commercial cooking equipment producing grease-laden vapors shall be provided with exhaust systems and fire suppression systems conforming to NFPA 96 and NFPA 17A.
This means any commercial cooking operation that generates grease-laden vapors — such as deep fryers, griddles, char broilers, woks, or ovens — must be protected by:
- An exhaust hood and duct system designed per NFPA 96 (Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations), and
- A wet chemical fire suppression system designed per NFPA 17A.
In simpler terms, if your kitchen produces smoke, grease, or vapors that could ignite, you must install a listed and approved suppression system as part of the building’s fire protection.
2. Ontario Fire Code Requirements
Once a kitchen is built and operating, the Ontario Fire Code (O. Reg. 213/07) takes over to ensure the system remains functional and compliant.
Under Division B, Section 2.6 – Commercial Cooking Operations, the OFC states:
Article 2.6.1.9. (1): Commercial cooking equipment exhaust and fire protection systems shall be inspected, tested, and maintained in conformance with NFPA 96 and NFPA 17A.
This means:
- The owner or operator is responsible for ensuring inspections, testing, and maintenance are performed.
- Only trained and certified technicians (like those at Evolve Fire Safety) can perform this work.
- Maintenance and test records must be kept on-site for review by Fire Inspectors.
Typical Fire Code Maintenance Requirements
| Task | Frequency | Reference |
| Visual inspection of system and components | Monthly | NFPA 17A 7.2 |
| Professional inspection by certified technician | Semi-annually (every 6 months) | NFPA 17A 7.3.1 |
| System testing (manual actuation, fusible link check) | Every 6 months | NFPA 17A 7.3.2 |
| Hood and duct cleaning | At least every 6 months (more often for heavy use) | NFPA 96 Table 11.4 |
| Record keeping | Continuous | Ontario Fire Code 1.1.2.1 |
Failing to comply can lead to Fire Code Orders, fines, or closure notices under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act (FPPA).
3. NFPA 17A — Wet Chemical Fire Suppression Systems
The NFPA 17A Standard for Wet Chemical Extinguishing Systems provides the technical details on how suppression systems must be designed, installed, and maintained.
At, Evolve Fire Safety, we provides complete kitchen fire suppression services across:
Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, Toronto, St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Kitchener–Waterloo, and surrounding Ontario areas (within 200 km).
Our team installs, inspects, and maintains systems in accordance with NFPA 17A, NFPA 96, and the Ontario Fire Code — ensuring your business stays safe and compliant.