NFPA 96 1

[ChrisConley]

The plan approval engineer for the AHJ has indicated on a recent high school project that the Home Ec lab must meet the requirements of NFPA 96. The lab consists of ~10 stoves with residential range hoods. There is no deep fat frying at all.

I've always assumed that NFPA 96 was aimed more at commercial/restaurant kitchens. Is this regulation typically applied for Home Ec rooms?

We're currently arguing that the lab won't be producing grease-laden vapours that are substantially more than would be produced in a normal household environment. I'd appreciate any comments anyone might have.

 

[stookeyfpe]

NFPA 96 has clarified that your condition would not be subject to the requirements of the standard. Section 1.1.4 of the 2001 edition states:

This standard shall not apply to facilities where all of the following are met:
(1) Only residential equipment is being used.
(2) Fire extinguishers located in all kitchen areas in accordance with NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers.
(3) Facility is not an assembly occupancy.
(4) Subject to the approval of the authority having jurisdiction.

It appears from your post that requirements (1) through (3) are met. You are also correct that these appliances will produce no more grease laden vapor than in a single family dwelling. However, I can already hear the AHJ stating that all ten stoves are operating at a single time. That can occur. But where's the fire loss history in Educational occupancies to show that this is a problem? Apparently a problem does not exist based on this new language in the 2001 edition of NFPA 96. Therefore the AHJ should not require Type K fire suppression systems.