What's the best fire extinguisher for the kitchen?

According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly 50% of residential fires originate in the kitchen. Grease, high temperatures, unattended cooking, and various high-temperature appliances like microwaves and ovens all provide ignition points. Yet, many households are not fully prepared for this. Most of us know that commercial kitchens in restaurants, hotels, and schools are highly susceptible to Class K (Class F) fires and have even witnessed such disasters. However, many people don't know that, in addition to the aforementioned causes, human error is also a major cause of kitchen fires. Kitchen fires not only cause property damage but can also cause burns, inhalation injuries, and even death. Especially in high-density residential areas or apartments, a kitchen fire can spread rapidly and affect the entire building structure. Therefore, it's crucial to have dedicated fire extinguishers for both commercial and residential kitchens.

A qualified kitchen fire extinguisher should not only be easy to use and extinguish quickly, but it should also be capable of extinguishing both grease and electrical fires to minimize damage and ensure personal safety. This article takes a deep dive into kitchen fire safety. Whether you're looking for appropriate fire extinguishing equipment for your commercial restaurant kitchen or your home kitchen, you'll find the answers here.

Why are kitchens more prone to fires?

According to data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) from 1996 to 2016, kitchens accounted for nearly 50% of all residential fires resulting in casualties, with the majority of fatal fires occurring during cooking. Kitchens are more prone to fires primarily because they are inherently fire sources, easily ignited by carelessness or improper use. Kitchens also have a high concentration of high-powered equipment, which can also easily cause fires if improperly used and maintained.

What types of fires are common in kitchens?

Class K (F) Fires

Class K (F) grease fires are common in kitchens. Commercial restaurants often use deep fryers or cook grease-rich foods at high temperatures. These flammable ingredients, when cooked at high temperatures, can easily cause a Class F grease fire. Grease is also fluid, so if not handled properly, it can quickly engulf the kitchen. Without the right fire extinguishers, these fires are difficult to control. So, how can you extinguish kitchen fires caused by grease? Grease fires require a PFAS-free wet chemical fire extinguisher. Grease fires are difficult to extinguish due to the high temperatures and splattering. ABC dry powder fire extinguishers are no longer suitable for grease fires; instead, a dedicated Class K fire extinguisher is required.

Why are Class F fires so dangerous and difficult to extinguish? Generally speaking, Class F fires are caused by fats and cooking oils. These burn at extremely high temperatures, and even after being extinguished, there's a risk of reignition. They also tend to splatter and can even explode if poured with water. Therefore, it's recommended that both commercial and home kitchens have a dedicated kitchen fire extinguisher. It's also important to keep the kitchen clean and stay inside while cooking greasy foods, as most kitchen fires are caused by human negligence.

Class A Fires

Both commercial and home kitchens contain a variety of flammable items, such as wood, plastics, packaging, and fabrics. If these items are close to the flames, they can ignite and cause a fire. However, compared to grease fires, these fires are easier to extinguish with standard Class A or ABC fire extinguishers.

Class C Fires

Kitchens often have many electrical appliances, and aging wiring and improper use can also cause electrical fires. Furthermore, kitchens contain large amounts of combustible materials, so improper handling can also lead to serious consequences. Like Class A fires, electrical fires can be treated with standard Class B fire extinguishers.

What fire extinguisher is best for a kitchen fire?

Based on the kitchen environment, water mist fire extinguishers are the safest choice for Class A and Class C fires. Water mist fire extinguishers are versatile and can extinguish Class A, B, and C fires, as well as electrical fires. Combined with wet chemical fire extinguishers for grease fires, they are sufficient to ensure safety in your kitchen or restaurant.

What are the advantages of a Class K kitchen fire extinguisher?

Whether you're in a home or commercial kitchen, we recommend purchasing a Class K kitchen fire extinguisher to prevent fires. So what are the advantages of a Class K fire extinguisher?

Class K fire extinguishers are primarily composed of wet chemical agents. They react with hot grease to form a foamy layer that covers the oil, isolating it from oxygen and extinguishing the fire. The extinguishing agent also contains potassium, which acts as a coolant and prevents oil from splashing and spraying. Cooling flames is crucial because it prevents them from spreading and allows for better fire control.

Furthermore, wet chemical extinguishers have a long spray range and a wide reach, allowing them to be used away from the flames, without having to be in close proximity. They are less harmful to people and the environment, and are easier to clean up.

Wet chemical extinguishers have a wide spray range and a long reach, making them easier to use in confined spaces, such as kitchens, near ovens, and grills. Often, in these confined spaces, you may need to extinguish the flame from a distance before approaching directly. Furthermore, these extinguishers have a lower pressure, so there's no need to worry about backfire. In addition to Class F fires, wet chemical extinguishers can typically handle Class A and Class B fires.

How many fire extinguishers do you need in the kitchen? Where should they be placed?

To ensure you can extinguish kitchen fires, we recommend having two fire extinguishers: one specifically for Class K grease fires and one Class A, B, and C extinguisher for other fires. Fire extinguishers should be easily accessible, preferably within 2-3 meters of the kitchen, such as near the kitchen door. Use a bracket to mount the extinguisher in a conspicuous, floor-level location, ensuring everyone can quickly spot it without hindering access. If your kitchen is small, you can also wall-mount the extinguisher if necessary.

What fire safety equipment is needed in a commercial kitchen?

1. Smoke and heat alarm systems: Smoke and heat alarms are highly effective fire detection devices. While smoke alarms can effectively detect early warning signs of fire, they cannot effectively distinguish between cooking fumes and hazardous smoke. Therefore, heat alarms are needed to compensate for this lack of functionality. By monitoring the smoke and temperature in the space, they can detect and prevent fires, effectively helping to prevent them.

2. Kitchen fire suppression systems: Fire suppression systems provide active fire protection. Designed specifically for commercial kitchens, kitchen fire suppression systems react quickly to fires, effectively suppressing them, and preventing them from re-igniting.

3. Class K (Class F) Fire Extinguishers: Class K fire extinguishers are wet chemical fire extinguishers (PFAS-free). They are the best tool for safely extinguishing hot oil and cooking grease fires and are ideal for commercial kitchens.

4. Fire Blankets: Fire blankets are also a common firefighting tool in commercial kitchens. For small fires, such as a frying pan, covering the pan with a fire blanket can effectively extinguish the fire by isolating it from oxygen.

Is Your Kitchen Safe? Kitchen Fire Safety Self-Check

The vast majority of kitchen fires are caused by human negligence, such as leaving frying pans, boilers, or flammable items near stoves unattended. Kitchen fire safety requires constant vigilance. We've compiled a kitchen fire safety checklist for your reference:

1. Never leave the kitchen unattended, especially when stewing.

2. Turn off the stove when no one is in the kitchen.

3. Always monitor ovens, microwaves, and other high-temperature appliances.

4. Keep flammable items away from cooking utensils, especially flames.

5. Keep children away from the kitchen and away from stoves and ovens.

6. Clean kitchen grease, such as old grease on grills, promptly and keep the kitchen clean.

7. Install and maintain dedicated fire extinguishers and fire blankets, and inspect and maintain them regularly.

8. Install smoke and heat alarms.

9. Commercial kitchens must have a kitchen fire suppression system.

10. Commercial kitchens must conduct regular fire training and drills for their employees.

11. Do not use water to extinguish oil fires (grease fires cannot be extinguished with water!).

If a kitchen fire occurs, evacuate personnel immediately, then implement firefighting measures based on the situation and call the fire department.

Kitchen fires are unpredictable, but most are preventable. Perform kitchen fire safety checks, avoid leaving flames unattended while cooking, and keep firefighting tools readily available for prompt response in the event of a fire. Class K(F) wet chemical fire extinguishers are designed specifically for commercial and residential kitchen fires and are the optimal extinguisher for kitchen fires, effectively controlling and extinguishing them. Commercial kitchens should also be equipped with smoke and heat alarms, as well as automatic fire suppression systems, for comprehensive protection.

If you would like to learn more about fire extinguishers, please contact us!