EN17446 is the first common testing standard of its kind across Europe
MILWAUKEE, Wis., April 2024 – Johnson Controls is proud to announce that the ANSUL R-102 Restaurant Fire Suppression System is now certified to EN 17446 standards by BSI, the business improvement and standards company (Kitemark 804125). The new certification further solidifies the system’s reputation as a trusted and reliable solution for safeguarding food service kitchens against the devastating impact of restaurant fires around the world.
The R-102 system already complies with EN 16282-7, which was published in 2017 and standardized practice across Europe by creating consistent hazard classifications, performance testing, and service and maintenance guidelines related to the installation and use of fixed fire extinguishing systems.
The new EN 17446 standard describes the testing requirements in detail for multiple appliances with different risk factors. To receive EN 17446 certification, the R-102 system was vigorously tested across a wide range of commercial appliances like griddles and cooktops that are known to be grease-vapor-producing. The system is able to protect:
1. Ranges up to 762 mm deep
2. Griddles up to 762 mm deep
3. Fryers up to 705 mm deep
4. Tilt skillets up to 705 mm deep
5. Gas radiant broilers up to 914 mm deep
6. Electric broilers up to 863 mm deep
7. Ducts and plenums of multiple sizes
Appliances larger than those listed above may be covered using multiple nozzle protection. See the R-102 Restaurant Fire Suppression System manual for additional details.
“The testing regime required to meet EN 17446, offers a significant and necessary challenge to ensure compliance and I would expect that only the most robust systems will be able to meet these requirements,” said Jan Waldow, Business Development Manager at Johnson Controls.
Jan Waldow is an industry expert who represented the German standards body (DIN) during the development of the EN 17446 standard.
Jan concluded, “This recognition demonstrates our commitment to delivering innovative fire suppression solutions around the world that meet the highest international standards and help make commercial kitchens safer.”
Complying with kitchen fire safety testing standards
Commercial kitchens in restaurants and hotels can be particularly vulnerable to fires, which are not only potentially harmful to health and safety but also business operations. According to the NFPA, three out of five (61%) fires in eating and drinking establishments involve cooking equipment with deep fryers being the main culprit.
Such statistics emphasize the need for commercial kitchens to put clear safeguards in place for the safety and well-being of people and operations. Independently tested systems like R-102 that comply with the latest standards and are proven to extinguish fires quickly should maintain preference with restaurant specifiers, operators and insurers alike for safer fire protection, added reliability and peace of mind.
For added reassurance, ANSUL-certified technicians carry identification cards that show they have completed all relevant training for design, installation, commissioning, recharge, service and maintenance of both retrofits and new fire suppression systems.