Douglas Hicks
Member
A fire occured in a restuant account. The owner called and told me he had a fire and wanted me to do the clean-up in the cooking line area. I asked about the cause and damage. I was told the Char Broiler caught fire. The scenario as reported to me was as follows:
1. The fire was announced by the cook
2. The cashier cleared the dining room
3. The cashier called 911, who dispatched the Volunteer FD. A county deputy sheriff also responded.
4. After notification of the patrons, the cook used a 5 # ABC to control the flames. A 2.5 # ABC suppplied by the Sheriff Deputy was also used.
5. The FD arrived, and used a hose of unknown size. I do not know if a hydrant lay was done nor do I know how much water was used. I do not know if the fire was completly out prior to the FD arrival. I do not know if the building was laddered or if grease filters were removed to check for fire extension. On my arrival on scene, the filters had no hand marks that would indicate the removal of any filters. The Fire Chief made a comment that the fire suppression system should have activated immediatly. I do not know what knowledge or training the Fire Chief has which would give any credibility to his statement. I do not know if he has any training in fire suppression systems of any kind.
6. Fire suppression systems normally do not activate for 5-6 minutes after a fire starts. The fusible links were Globe 450° F links. None of the links were melted, nor was any of the grease melted from the links. The only fire damage done was to the Abiti wall covering, and that was under the shelf which deflected the flame. Abiti is a masonite material with a plastic covering. I do not know the fire rating of Abiti. There was no evidence of the grease on the filters (galvanized baffle filters, which appear to meet UL standards) being on fire or even being exposed to enough fire to melt the the grease on/in the filters. There was no evidence of fire extension into the plenum or duct. None of the grease in the duct or plenum was melted.
7. the system was last service in Nove ow 2005. This exhaust system is only cleaned on an annual basis. The fire suppression system is only service on an annual basis. The 2 A 10 BC fire extinguisherwas last serviced in 2003, and was past due for a pressure test. Teh 40 BC fire extinguisher was last serviced in 2003 and was past due for a pressure test. The customer did not want the fire extinguishes serviced. The resurant now has a K class fire extinguishers and a new 2A0BC fire extinguishser. We cleaned the exhaust system. We removed the appliances and stainless steel tables and cleaned those. The floor was cleaned of grease build-up. The customer told me the fire started in the char broiler and that the appliance had been on fire several times before.
Estimated loss, not included loss of business, less than $10,000.00
1. The fire was announced by the cook
2. The cashier cleared the dining room
3. The cashier called 911, who dispatched the Volunteer FD. A county deputy sheriff also responded.
4. After notification of the patrons, the cook used a 5 # ABC to control the flames. A 2.5 # ABC suppplied by the Sheriff Deputy was also used.
5. The FD arrived, and used a hose of unknown size. I do not know if a hydrant lay was done nor do I know how much water was used. I do not know if the fire was completly out prior to the FD arrival. I do not know if the building was laddered or if grease filters were removed to check for fire extension. On my arrival on scene, the filters had no hand marks that would indicate the removal of any filters. The Fire Chief made a comment that the fire suppression system should have activated immediatly. I do not know what knowledge or training the Fire Chief has which would give any credibility to his statement. I do not know if he has any training in fire suppression systems of any kind.
6. Fire suppression systems normally do not activate for 5-6 minutes after a fire starts. The fusible links were Globe 450° F links. None of the links were melted, nor was any of the grease melted from the links. The only fire damage done was to the Abiti wall covering, and that was under the shelf which deflected the flame. Abiti is a masonite material with a plastic covering. I do not know the fire rating of Abiti. There was no evidence of the grease on the filters (galvanized baffle filters, which appear to meet UL standards) being on fire or even being exposed to enough fire to melt the the grease on/in the filters. There was no evidence of fire extension into the plenum or duct. None of the grease in the duct or plenum was melted.
7. the system was last service in Nove ow 2005. This exhaust system is only cleaned on an annual basis. The fire suppression system is only service on an annual basis. The 2 A 10 BC fire extinguisherwas last serviced in 2003, and was past due for a pressure test. Teh 40 BC fire extinguisher was last serviced in 2003 and was past due for a pressure test. The customer did not want the fire extinguishes serviced. The resurant now has a K class fire extinguishers and a new 2A0BC fire extinguishser. We cleaned the exhaust system. We removed the appliances and stainless steel tables and cleaned those. The floor was cleaned of grease build-up. The customer told me the fire started in the char broiler and that the appliance had been on fire several times before.
Estimated loss, not included loss of business, less than $10,000.00