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Lafayette Fire Department Enforcement Policy: Commercial Cooking Suppression Systems and UL 300 Compliance The following is an interpretation from Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) regarding existing commercial cooking hood fire extinguishing systems and portable fire extinguishers. This information is directly related to the enforcement of International Fire Code Section 904.11. – Commercial Cooking Equipment and Section 904.11.5 – Portable Fire Extinguishers. The UL interpretation, dated May 26, 2005, shall be utilized in the enforcement of existing commercial cooking systems and portable fire extinguishers by the Lafayette Fire Department. It has been UL's position that the systems and portable extinguishers retain their Listing provided that they are maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's maintenance instructions and the applicable NFPA standards. If the systems cannot be maintained in accordance with these instructions, they should be replaced. It has been the case where service or replacement parts were provided by suppliers other than the manufacturer. In this instance the AHJ needed to determine that the replacement parts were suitable for the system to continue in service. Likewise, the AHJ will need to make the judgment of the use of salvaged parts as replacement parts. UL is not in a position to make a judgment as to the suitability of used parts in a system due to factors such as age, environmental exposure, and other conditions of the part. The extinguishing system manufacturer should be contacted by the AHJ to determine the suitability of the salvaged parts. An existing commercial cooking fire protection system and/or any portable fire extinguisher shall be considered in compliance with its applicable UL standards unless a properly authorized vendor or manufacturer deems the appliance or component in non-compliance and must be replaced. Existing systems and portable fire extinguishers are not required by UL or the IFC to comply with the latest and/or most current standard, so long as a vendor is capable of servicing the appliance, system or device and insures its operability. Questions should be directed to the Fire Prevention Bureau at (303) 661-1202