CSLB #976500 · State Fire Marshal #E2390 · Title 19 Certified
24/7 Emergency: (877) 256-0161Kitchen Fire Suppression
Compliance with NFPA 96 & Title 19 for California Restaurants.
A semi-annual inspection is the service California requires for every commercial kitchen hood fire suppression system at least every six months, and after any activation. Our CSLB C-16 licensed technicians test the detection and manual release, the gas shut-off, the nozzles and the agent, replace the fusible links, tag the system and give you a written report. We serve restaurants and commercial kitchens across Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura and San Bernardino counties. For the service schedule of every part of a kitchen's fire protection, see our kitchen fire suppression overview.
Under the California Fire Code and NFPA 96, a commercial kitchen hood fire suppression system must be serviced at least every six months, and after any activation, by a licensed fire protection contractor (CSLB C-16).
In the City of Los Angeles, the LAFD Fire Prevention Bureau enforces these requirements, and a missed service can lead to citations.
At SOS Fire Services, we perform rigorous inspections strictly adhering to NFPA 96 standards, ensuring your system functions correctly in an emergency while fully satisfying both insurance demands and fire marshal requirements.
Required inspection frequency per NFPA 96
Reports filed the way your fire department requires
Official compliance tags for your system
Complete visual inspection of all nozzles, fusible links, piping, and detection components.
We also check the detection line and its cable run, the manual pull station, and how the agent cylinder and releasing unit are mounted.
Test manual pull stations, automatic detection devices, and gas shutoff mechanisms.
We trip the system without discharging the agent and confirm that the gas valve closes, that the electrical shut-off for the cooking line works where one is fitted, and that the signal reaches the hood fans or the building's fire alarm where the system is connected to them.
Check wet chemical agent levels and verify proper charge in the suppression tank.
We check the cylinder gauge, the expellant gas cartridge and the test dates; wet chemical agent cylinders are hydrostatically tested at least every 12 years.
Ensure all cooking equipment is properly covered and nozzles are correctly positioned.
If an appliance has been moved, added or replaced since the last service, we tell you before the system is tagged, because the coverage may no longer match. See what changes require a system modification.
Complete inspection report, apply certification tag, and file the report the way your fire department requires.
Before we leave, the system is reset and the gas is back on, so your kitchen can cook again.
Inspections must occur every 6 months. Missing one can lead to a citation, and insurers commonly ask for current records.
A little preparation keeps the visit short and lets us test everything.
Some problems only show up when the system is tested. Two we found on recent semi-annual visits:
Every deficiency is listed in your report with a written quote for the repair, and when we have the part on the truck we can often fix it on the same visit. For larger work, see Repair & Recharge and UL 300 Upgrade. If your system has discharged or the fire department has issued a red tag, see what to do after a discharge or a red tag.
The manufacturers' owner's guides recommend a quick check at least once a month. A manager can check that:
If anything looks wrong, call us. Do not adjust, bypass or reset the system yourself.
We inspect and service the major wet chemical kitchen systems, including systems another company installed:
California's fire code requires kitchen systems to comply with UL 300; an older system that does not is upgraded or replaced.
A single hood system usually takes about 45 minutes. Cooking stops for a short time while we test the gas shut-off, and we can come early in the morning or outside your service hours.
No, and one does not replace the other. The semi-annual service is testing and maintenance by a licensed contractor at least every six months. Your fire department inspects the business on its own schedule and checks, among other things, that the system carries a current service tag. We can also walk your kitchen before the fire department's visit.
Yes. We inspect and service the kitchen systems listed on this page whoever installed them. If documents are missing or parts have been changed, we tell you what is needed before the system is tagged.
The report lists each deficiency and we give you a written quote. When we have the part, many repairs can be done on the same visit, and the system is tagged once it is back in working order.
It depends on how many systems and cylinders you have, how many fusible links each one uses, access, the time of the visit, and any parts that need replacing. Tell us about your kitchen and we will quote it; our article on fire suppression system costs explains the factors.
Yes. With your permission, we email, call or text you before your next semi-annual service is due.
Verified reviews
Overall customer rating: 5.0/5 from 151 Google and Yelp reviews.
I called S.O.S. to do a bi-annual checkup on my annul system. Brandon and Juan came out the very next day and accomplished two things simultaneously; 1). Educated me on every aspect of this service. 2). Thoroughly examined my equipment and got everything up to speed in a couple of hours time. 3). Brandon and Juan were incredibly capable and passionate about the service they provide. 4). A follow up visit the next day by Zohar finalized the installation and he was equally great at what he does. They were the Dream Team and have earned a customer for life! Douglas Whithorne Santa Monica, CA
These people have my business for life! I needed our fire suppression system and extinguishers serviced and replaced. From the initial call to the actual service, Maureen and Zohar were amazing and very knowledgeable. Their prices are definitely better than the competition that I went and quoted from and they came in the next morning! As long as I need any maintenance or service, these people have a lifelong customer. You won't regret coming to them for your needs. If I could give them 10 stars I would.
SOS Fire Services were awesome! This was my first time dealing with commercial kitchen and SOS was sooooo helpful in getting me through the process. They went above and beyond! Thanks again!
Great partners for our restaurant. Always transparent and honest. We are so glad we switched over. Truly thankful!
SOS fire services installed my suppression system and completed all the plans and fire inspections for me. Mr. Zohar is a professional, he is courteous, and is always available to speak to you when questions arise. More importantly, they are quick to return and draw up plans. Also, he passed the inspection the first time without any issues. SOS is the only company I would consider for my next project, since I know how seamless the experience is with them from start to finish.
SOS fire team installed a new Hood Fire System In my buffet restaurant. they did an amazing job, very professional we will use their services for many years to come Thank you very much SOS Fire Services!!!
Our work
Jobs we completed for this service. Every card names the city where the work was done.
Semi-annual test of a CaptiveAire two-tank system over a range, griddle, salamander and fryers: balloon air test on every nozzle, gas and power shut-off, and the alarms.
Wok-line grease had seized the detection line. We replaced the cable, pulleys, brackets and fusible links, then completed the semi-annual service and filed the report.
A semi-annual inspection found the Ansul R-102 piping packed with hardened grease. We cleared or replaced every blocked fitting, flushed the lines and capped every nozzle.
Semi-annual service of a CaptiveAire CORE system, which fights a hood fire with water and a surfactant: alarm and fan interlocks tested, valves actuated, pressure checked and the system tagged.
Semi-annual service for a kitchen protected by two systems side by side, a CaptiveAire CORE and an Ansul R-102: fusible links replaced, both systems tested, tagged and documented.
Semi-annual service of a Pyro-Chem Kitchen Knight II system: control head, detection line, nozzles, gas valve trip and manual pull station tested, and the system tagged.
We provide on-site service in Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura and San Bernardino counties. Share your service address and equipment details so we can confirm the work and coordinate a visit. Emergency dispatch is arranged by phone.
References on this page to LAFD or the Los Angeles Municipal Code apply to the City of Los Angeles jurisdiction. For other service addresses, we confirm the relevant fire authority and its requirements.
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California requires hood suppression systems to be inspected every six months. We file the report the way your fire department requires.
