ASHRAE Journal - February 2015 - 18

TECHNICAL FEATURE

Lessons Learned From
Commercial Kitchen
Fire Investigations
BY DOUG HORTON

According to a report from the National Fire Protection Association, "U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 7,640 structure fires per year in eating and
drinking establishments between 2006 and 2010. These fires caused average annual
losses of two civilian deaths, 115 civilian injuries, and $246 million in direct property
damage per year. Three out of five (57%) of these fires involved cooking equipment."1
From a recent ASHRAE Journal article, "Fires in commercial kitchens most often start in or near appliances.
Notable examples include ignition from natural gas or
solid fuel flames, such as with charbroilers; ignition of
cooking oil in deep fat fryers; and ignition of grease deposits in or near appliances, exhaust hoods, and ducts."2
This article describes many factors contributing to the
cause and spread of fires in commercial kitchens. Some of
the descriptions come from forensic fire investigations in
which the author participated, while other descriptions
come from public reports. The high proportion of deep
fat fryer fires among the fires described here likely relates
more to the author's particular investigation assignments
than to the actual proportion of fryer fires nationwide.

Fire Case Studies From the Author
Total loss of quick service restaurant and play area. A
large amount of burnt grease was found inside the backs
Doug Horton is principal consultant at D. J. Horton and Associates, Inc., Batavia, Ill.
18

ASHRAE JOURNAL

ashrae.org

FEBRUARY 2015

of three fryers, suggesting ignition from the gas burner
flues. Although the fire suppression system activated,
fire spread throughout the building, which totally collapsed as shown in Photo 1. Investigators noted that the
kitchen equipment installation did not meet code and
standards requirements for clearance to wood construction behind the appliances and exhaust hood, likely
contributing to the spread of fire.
Near total loss of barbecue restaurant. Fire likely
started in one of three fryers, which was found nearly
empty of cooking oil, causing overheating and autoignition, in spite of built-in safety devices. The fire
suppression system discharged, although appliances
had been rearranged from the original layout, resulting in a mismatch of suppressant nozzles and appliances, with less suppressant discharge to the burning
fryer. Fire spread was accelerated by wood facing on
walls and ceiling.



ASHRAE Journal - February 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ASHRAE Journal - February 2015

Contents
ASHRAE Journal - February 2015 - Cover1
ASHRAE Journal - February 2015 - Cover2
ASHRAE Journal - February 2015 - 1
ASHRAE Journal - February 2015 - 2
ASHRAE Journal - February 2015 - Contents
ASHRAE Journal - February 2015 - 4
ASHRAE Journal - February 2015 - 5
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ASHRAE Journal - February 2015 - S1
ASHRAE Journal - February 2015 - S2
ASHRAE Journal - February 2015 - S3
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ASHRAE Journal - February 2015 - S7
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ASHRAE Journal - February 2015 - Cover3
ASHRAE Journal - February 2015 - Cover4
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