Emergency Fire Protection Questions

My fire suppression system discharged. What do I do right now?

Stop all cooking immediately. The system has already shut off your gas supply. Do not touch the system, do not try to reset it, and do not attempt to clean the discharged chemical yourself.

1. Call Whitewater at 307-677-7296
2. Call the fire department if they are not already responding
3. Evacuate the kitchen if there is smoke or fire
4. Wait for the licensed technician to arrive

The technician will inspect all components, replace discharged cylinders, install new fusible links, test the gas shutoff, and certify the system before you can resume cooking. The hood, duct, and cooking surfaces must also be cleaned of discharged chemical before food preparation can restart.

Who do I call for emergency fire suppression system service in Salt Lake City?

Call Whitewater Fire Protection at 307-677-7296. We serve Salt Lake City and the entire Wasatch Front. For system discharges, failed inspections, and fire marshal citations, we respond as quickly as possible to get your kitchen back in operation.

Only a Utah State Fire Marshal-licensed company can recharge, repair, or certify a fire suppression system. Do not use an unlicensed service, as the work will not be accepted by the fire marshal and your inspection tag will be invalid.

How quickly can a fire suppression system be recharged after discharge?

A straightforward recharge with no damaged components typically takes 1 to 2 hours on site. If components need replacement (corroded nozzles, damaged piping, failed cylinders), it may take longer depending on parts availability. We carry the most common parts and chemical agents on our service truck.

The cleanup of discharged chemical from the hood, ductwork, and cooking surfaces is separate and may take additional time depending on the extent of the discharge.

Can my restaurant stay open after a fire suppression system discharge?

You can keep the dining area open if it is safe, but you cannot cook until the suppression system is recharged, tested, and certified by a licensed technician. The gas supply was automatically shut off by the system and cannot be restored until the system is back in service.

If the discharge was caused by an actual fire (not an accidental activation), additional clearance from the fire department and possibly the health department may be required before cooking resumes.

What is a fire watch and when does Utah require one?

A fire watch is one or more people assigned to continuously patrol a building watching for fire hazards when fire protection systems are out of service. Under IFC Section 901.7 (adopted by Utah), a fire watch is required when any fire protection system is out of service for more than 4 hours in a 24-hour period.

Fire watch personnel must remain awake and alert, carry an approved means of notifying the fire department, patrol the entire affected area continuously, and have no other duties during the fire watch. The building owner is responsible for arranging the fire watch.

Source: Utah Risk Management Fire Protection Impairments (PDF)

What happens when the fire marshal red-tags my fire suppression system?

A red tag means the system has been found non-compliant. Depending on the severity, you may be given a compliance schedule (typically 30 to 90 days for non-imminent hazards) or ordered to cease cooking operations immediately (for imminent hazards like a completely non-functional system).

Contact a licensed fire suppression company immediately to address the deficiencies. Once the system is repaired and certified, the technician applies a new inspection tag. You may need to notify the fire marshal that corrections have been made and request a re-inspection.

How quickly do I need to fix fire code violations in Utah?

The timeline depends on severity. Imminent hazards (non-functional suppression system, blocked exits, missing extinguishers in a kitchen) can result in immediate closure. Non-imminent violations typically get a written notice with a compliance schedule of 30 to 90 days.

Each day a violation continues is a separate offense under Utah Code 53-7-208. Do not wait for the deadline. Fix the issue as soon as possible and document the correction.

My fire extinguisher was cited by the fire marshal. What do I do?

Common citations include expired inspection tags, wrong extinguisher type, missing extinguishers, blocked access, and damaged or corroded units. Contact a licensed fire extinguisher company to schedule immediate service. We can usually resolve extinguisher citations within one service visit: inspect, recharge or replace as needed, apply current tags, and verify placement meets code.

Keep the citation paperwork. After corrections, you may need to contact the fire marshal's office to schedule a re-inspection or provide documentation that the issues have been resolved.

Does Whitewater offer 24/7 emergency fire protection service?

We respond to emergencies as quickly as possible during and outside of normal business hours. If your system has discharged, you have been red-tagged, or you need emergency service to keep your business operating, call 307-677-7296. For non-urgent scheduling, use our online request form.

What should I do if I smell gas or see smoke near my fire suppression system?

If you smell gas, evacuate the building immediately and call 911 from outside. Do not turn on or off any electrical switches. Do not manually activate the fire suppression system unless there is an active fire. The fire department will determine whether it is safe to re-enter.

If you see smoke coming from cooking equipment, use the manual pull station to activate the suppression system. The system will discharge chemical, shut off the gas, and suppress the fire. Then evacuate and call 911. After the fire department clears the scene, call Whitewater to recharge and certify the system.