A new law promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association will affect businesses with grills or fryers that produce “grease-laden vapors.” As such, restaurants, bars, and churches may be affected.
UL-300, as it has come to be known, requires businesses to install nozzles capable of spraying chemicals to extinguish grease fires. For businesses to properly comply with UL-300, the State Fire Marshall’s Office first explained, it must also comply with another standard called National Fire Protection Association Standard 96 (NFPA 96). NFPA 96 requires businesses install 18-gauge stainless-steel hoods, vents and pricey exhaust ducts.
In an effort to comply with NFPA 96 (and thus UL-300), several business received estimates of upwards of $10,000 to install the hood and duct systems thought necessary to comply. Several small business owners also considered shutting their doors, as complying with NFPA 96 would have been financially infeasible.
Fortunately for business owners, the State Fire Marshall’s Office reversed positions. Now, compliance with NFPA 96 is not a requisite for compliance with UL-300. In other words, a business with a hood and duct system, which complied with NFPA standards at the time of installation, is grandfathered in.
Despite the misunderstanding, businesses will still have to comply with UL-300 by installing chemical fire extinguishing systems. But most existing businesses will not have to comply with NFPA 96.Please Note: although you may be grandfathered in by law, your insurance policy might require your business to comply with the most current safety codes. If you own a small business, talk with an attorney to be sure your business meets ALL necessary saftey requirements.
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