What an ANSUL System Does
The ANSUL R-102 is a pre-engineered wet chemical fire suppression system for commercial kitchens. It protects the cooking appliances, the hood plenum and filters, and the exhaust duct.
When heat from a fire reaches a detector in the hood, the system discharges ANSULEX® Low pH agent through nozzles aimed at each hazard. The agent knocks down the flames, cools the hot oil, and forms a foam layer on the surface that helps keep the fire from reigniting. At the same time, gas or electric supply to the appliances under the hood shuts off.
Hawkeye Fire & Safety installs, inspects, and services ANSUL systems for restaurants and commercial kitchens in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and across Eastern Iowa. We check your system against your current cooking line and tell you what is required to stay compliant.
How an ANSUL System Responds to a Kitchen Fire
1. Detection. Fusible links are mounted in the hood above the cooking line and connected by a steel cable. When a link reaches its rated temperature, it separates and the cable releases.
2. Release. The released cable trips the release mechanism, which opens a gas cartridge and pressurizes the agent tank.
3. Discharge. Agent flows through fixed piping to nozzles over each appliance, in the hood plenum, and in the exhaust duct.
4. Shutoff. Gas or electric supply to the appliances under the hood shuts off. If the building has a fire alarm system, the suppression system signals it.
Staff can also activate the system by hand with the manual pull station.
ANSUL R-102 System Features
ANSULEX Low pH agent is made for grease fires. It cools hot cooking oil and forms a foam layer that helps prevent reignition.
Fusible links are rated from 165°F to 500°F. Each is matched to its location so normal cooking heat does not set it off.
A gas cartridge pressurizes the agent tank only when the system activates. Cartridges are weighed at every service visit.
Gas or electric supply to the cooking appliances shuts off when the system discharges.
Nozzles can be aimed at each appliance, or set in overlapping zones so appliances can be rearranged along the line.
The system meets UL 300 and is installed and serviced to NFPA 17A and NFPA 96.
What an ANSUL System Protects
Equipment Covered
- Fryers, griddles, and ranges
- Charbroilers and upright or chain broilers
- Woks
- Hood plenum and grease filters
- Exhaust ductwork
Kitchens We Protect
- Restaurants and bars
- School and university kitchens
- Hospital, nursing home, and senior living kitchens
- Hotel and event center kitchens
- Church and community kitchens
- Convenience stores with hot food service
The right nozzle layout depends on which appliances are on your line and where they sit. Hawkeye designs coverage around your kitchen and reviews it whenever the line changes.
ANSUL System Services from Hawkeye Fire & Safety
We lay out nozzles, detection, and the fuel shutoff around your cooking line, install the system, and test it before the kitchen goes into service.
We service the system every six months, replace the fusible links, and update the service tag. You get a written report of what passed and what needs attention.
After the system discharges, it has to be recharged and reset before the line goes back into use. We replace the agent and cartridge and reset the shutoff.
When appliances are added, moved, or replaced, we review nozzle coverage and add nozzles or piping as needed. We also replace older systems that no longer meet UL 300.
ANSUL System Inspection Requirements in Iowa
Iowa adopts the International Fire Code, which requires commercial kitchen suppression systems to be serviced at least every six months by a trained technician. Monthly checks between those visits are the owner’s responsibility.
Not sure when your system was last serviced? Check the date on the service tag attached to the system. If there is no tag, or the date is more than six months old, call us to schedule an inspection.
Schedule Service
If your system is due for service, or you are looking for a new service provider, Hawkeye can take over inspections on an existing ANSUL system.
- Call our Cedar Rapids office at (319) 363-9923 or our Iowa City office at (319) 338-3096, or request a quote online.
- Have the date on your current service tag and a list of any appliance changes since the last inspection.
- We inspect the system and tell you what is required to pass, what is due soon, and what can wait.
Related Services
- Fire Suppression Systems: industrial, vehicle, and clean agent systems
- Fire Inspection Services: extinguisher, suppression system, and equipment inspections
- Fire Extinguishers: Class K and general purpose extinguishers
- Training & Instruction: train kitchen staff on the pull station and Class K extinguisher
- Hydrostatic Testing: 12-year testing for agent tanks