What does this kitchen hood fire suppression annual checklist cover?

15 items across 4 sections, covering before the service, service observed, design reconciliation, return to service. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.

Who should run this inspection?

The licensed suppression contractor performs the semiannual or annual service; the kitchen and facilities team walk it, observe and record.

When in the schedule should this walk happen?

On the contractor's service cycle, the deep pass that renews fusible links and checks the whole detection and release chain the quarterly round only eyeballs.

Why do these items ask for a photo?

8 of the 15 items call for photo evidence, 10 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.

What most often fails a kitchen hood fire suppression annual inspection?

Fusible links replaced but the cookline that changed since design never reconciled, so coverage is still wrong after the service. System 'serviced' without the actuation path fully traced, and the gas shutoff tie-in never confirmed to still drop the line.

Can I use this checklist in RTI?

Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

Free checklist

Kitchen hood fire suppression annual maintenance checklist

The annual kitchen suppression system service is the deep pass: the measurements, cleanings and tests a quarterly round doesn't reach. This checklist keeps the full service on record with the photos that make it defensible later. Work is commonly verified against NFPA 17A, NFPA 96. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction has adopted.

Start free with this checklist Download as PDF

The checklist

Every item, and the photo evidence it needs

The photo count on each row is what RTI would require before the item can be submitted. Work the list here and watch the gate hold, or load it into RTI and let it enforce the real thing.

Before the service

Monitoring company and owner notified before the trip test
Owner told the service window, the monitoring company told alarm signals are expected where the system reports to the building alarm, both calls logged.
No photo
Impairment procedure followed while the hood is unprotected
Impairment opened under the owner's procedure, no cooking under the hood while protection is out, fire watch set where the procedure calls for one.
No photo
Cooking line off and cool before the trip drops fuel
Appliances off and fryer oil cooled before the contractor trips the release, kitchen told gas and power to the line will drop and stay off until reset.
No photo
Agent tank isolated by the contractor before the trip test
Contractor removes the cartridge or disconnects the agent tank per the manufacturer's service procedure so tripping the release discharges nothing. Never done by the site.
No photo

Service observed

Agent tank and expellant checked against the nameplate
Contractor weighs the cartridge against its stamped weight or reads the stored-pressure gauge against the nameplate, agent level confirmed, readings recorded.
Nozzles cleaned, piping proven clear and caps renewed
Deeper than the quarterly look: the contractor cleans each nozzle, proves the piping clear as the manufacturer directs and fits new blow-off caps, anything replaced listed.
Fusible link replacement witnessed and dated
Links removed and renewed by the contractor, old links accounted for, replacement date captured for the record.
Link temperature ratings matched to each location
New links carry the rating the manufacturer lists for their spot over each appliance and in the duct, read on the link stamp before it goes up.
Detection and release chain checked end to end
Contractor's trace of link line to release watched, gas or electric shutoff interlock confirmed to trip, results recorded not certified by the site.
Manual pull station operated and the release seen to trip
Contractor pulls the station with the tank isolated, the release trips from the station alone, cable travel smooth at the pulley elbows, station reset after.
No photo

Design reconciliation

Coverage reconfirmed against the current cookline
Nozzle count and aim re-checked against appliances as they sit today, any line change since design flagged with the contractor.
New service tag current and deficiencies logged
Updated tag on the system with the visit date, any coverage or shutoff issue the contractor raised written down with the follow-up.

Return to service

Release re-armed and the agent tank reconnected
Contractor resets the release, reconnects the cartridge or tank, fits new tamper seals on the release and pull station, and the tank gauge reads in its band.
Fuel and power to the line restored and appliances relit
Gas valve or shunt reset only after the release is armed, pilots relit by the kitchen or gas tech, every appliance proven to light before service resumes.
No photo
Owner and monitoring company told the hood is protected again
Impairment closed with the owner, the monitoring company told signals are restored where it was called, and the contractor's report copy filed.
No photo

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

Fusible links replaced but the cookline that changed since design never reconciled, so coverage is still wrong after the service.
System 'serviced' without the actuation path fully traced, and the gas shutoff tie-in never confirmed to still drop the line.

Verified against

NFPA 96 & 17A

Common questions

6 answers

What does this kitchen hood fire suppression annual checklist cover?: 15 items across 4 sections, covering before the service, service observed, design reconciliation, return to service. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.
Who should run this inspection?: The licensed suppression contractor performs the semiannual or annual service; the kitchen and facilities team walk it, observe and record.
When in the schedule should this walk happen?: On the contractor's service cycle, the deep pass that renews fusible links and checks the whole detection and release chain the quarterly round only eyeballs.
Why do these items ask for a photo?: 8 of the 15 items call for photo evidence, 10 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.
What most often fails a kitchen hood fire suppression annual inspection?: Fusible links replaced but the cookline that changed since design never reconciled, so coverage is still wrong after the service. System 'serviced' without the actuation path fully traced, and the gas shutoff tie-in never confirmed to still drop the line.
Can I use this checklist in RTI?: Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

Related checklists

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Run it with the Photo Gate

A checklist nobody can submit half-finished

Load this list into RTI, stick a QR tag on the area it covers, and the submit button stays locked until every mandatory item is answered and the 10 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident record behind every line.