What Is a Class K Fire Extinguisher?

Class K fire extinguishers are designed specifically for fires involving cooking oils, animal fats, and vegetable oils used in commercial food service environments. These kitchen fires burn at extremely high temperatures - often above 700 degrees Fahrenheit - and cannot be safely suppressed with standard ABC dry chemical fire extinguishers or water-based units.

Class K units use a wet chemical agent, typically potassium acetate, that reacts with the burning cooking oil to form a foam blanket. This blanket cools the flammable liquid and seals the surface, cutting off oxygen and preventing dangerous re-ignition. For any business with a commercial kitchen in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Long Island, or New Jersey, keeping a properly serviced Class K unit on hand is not just good practice - it is a requirement under FDNY rules and NFPA-10.

Explore our full kitchen fire extinguisher service page for more detail on the different types of kitchen extinguishers we carry.

FDNY-Required Protection for NYC Commercial Kitchens

Commercial kitchen fires are among the most dangerous and fastest-spreading fires in any business setting. Cooking oil fires can flashover in seconds, especially around open-flame equipment like commercial fryers and woks. The FDNY mandates that every commercial kitchen with high-temperature cooking equipment maintain a properly serviced Class K fire extinguisher within 30 feet of the cooking surface.

A&J Fire is an authorized, FDNY-certified fire extinguisher service company serving restaurants, cafeterias, delis, diners, hotels, hospitals, and food trucks throughout the NYC metro area. Our expert technicians follow NFPA-10, OSHA, and UL 300 standards on every job - so your business stays fire code compliant and protected.

Class K vs. Purple K - What's the Difference?

Purple K was a potassium bicarbonate dry chemical agent once used for kitchen and flammable liquid fires in older commercial settings. While Purple K is still used in certain industrial and aircraft applications, it has been replaced by wet chemical Class K extinguishers as the current FDNY and NFPA standard for restaurant and food service protection. Modern Class K units use a wet chemical foam agent that is far more effective at suppressing high-temperature cooking oil fires and meets UL 300-listed performance requirements. If your kitchen still has an older Purple K unit, contact A&J Fire to upgrade to a compliant Class K extinguisher.

Our Class K Extinguisher Services

A&J Fire provides a full range of extinguisher service options for commercial kitchens and food service businesses:

  • Annual inspection and tagging - FDNY-compliant extinguisher inspections with updated certification tags
  • Recharge after use - Fast recharge service after any discharge, even partial
  • New unit sales - UL 300-listed Class K extinguishers sized for your kitchen
  • Installation and placement - Proper installation near cooking equipment per NFPA-10
  • 6-year maintenance - Internal examination and recharge as required by fire code
  • Violation correction - Fast FDNY violation removal for kitchen extinguisher deficiencies
  • Commercial fire extinguisher service contracts for multi-location businesses

Who Needs a Class K Extinguisher?

Any commercial fire safety plan for a food service operation must include Class K extinguishers. The following businesses are required by FDNY and OSHA to maintain properly serviced units:

  • Restaurants and full-service diners
  • Cafeterias and school lunch programs
  • Hotel and banquet hall kitchens
  • Hospital and nursing home food service areas
  • Catering operations and food trucks
  • Grocery stores with commercial deli counters and hot food stations
  • Bar and nightclub kitchens
  • Office building cafeterias and break rooms with commercial equipment

Not sure if your business qualifies? Call A&J Fire at (718) 852-2762 for a free assessment. We serve all commercial businesses needing commercial fire extinguisher service across NYC.

FDNY, NFPA-10, OSHA, and UL 300 Compliance

Every Class K fire extinguisher we sell and service is UL 300-listed, meeting the highest standard for commercial kitchen fire suppression. Our inspection and recharge procedures follow NFPA-10 protocols to the letter. We issue FDNY-compliant inspection tags and full service documentation, so your records are in order for any fire marshal visit.

OSHA regulations (29 CFR 1910.157) require all employers to keep fire extinguishers in proper working condition and ensure employees know how to use them. Failing an FDNY inspection can result in violations and fines that disrupt your business operations. A&J Fire helps businesses avoid violations - and if you already have one, we clear it fast.

All technicians on our team carry current FDNY certification and are trained in NFPA-10 standards for portable fire extinguisher service. We bring everything needed to your location - no need to haul your units anywhere.

What Happens During a Class K Extinguisher Inspection?

Our certified extinguisher inspections cover every component required by FDNY and NFPA-10:

  • Visual inspection of the cylinder for corrosion, dents, or damage
  • Pressure gauge check to confirm proper charge level
  • Wet chemical agent level verification
  • Discharge hose and nozzle inspection for clogs or cracks
  • Safety pin and tamper seal check
  • Review of service history and recharge dates
  • Updated FDNY-compliant inspection tag applied to the unit

Annual fire inspection is required by both FDNY and NFPA-10. After any discharge - even a partial one - the unit must be fully recharged before it is ready for service again. Skipping a recharge after use is one of the most common FDNY violations we see. Don't let it happen to your business.

Where to Place a Class K Extinguisher

Proper placement is part of fire code compliance. Under NFPA-10, a Class K fire extinguisher must be located within 30 feet of the cooking equipment it protects, with a clear path for access during an emergency. It should be mounted on a wall bracket at the correct height, with appropriate safety signage visible from the cooking area.

Our technicians assess your kitchen layout during every service call and advise on optimal placement to meet FDNY requirements. If you need additional units or have equipment in multiple cooking stations, we will design a placement plan that keeps your entire kitchen protected and fire code compliant.

Same-Day Service Across Brooklyn and NYC

Need a class k fire extinguisher brooklyn ny inspection or recharge completed today? A&J Fire offers same-day service for commercial kitchens across Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Long Island, and Northern New Jersey. We know that restaurants and food service businesses can't afford downtime - so we come to you, on your schedule, with flat-rate pricing and no hidden fees.

Call (718) 852-2762 or use the quote form to schedule your service today. Our local team is ready to help keep your kitchen and your business protected.

Brooklyn Kitchens Trust A&J Fire for Good Reason

A&J Fire has been serving Brooklyn's restaurants, delis, and commercial kitchens for years. We understand the fire safety pressures that NYC food service businesses face - tight inspections, fast turnarounds, and strict FDNY compliance requirements. Our flat-rate pricing means no surprises on your invoice, and our FDNY-certified technicians do the job right the first time, every time. Whether you operate a single kitchen or a multi-location chain, A&J Fire is the local team that has your back.

For full details on kitchen fire suppression options, visit our kitchen fire extinguisher page or contact us today at (718) 852-2762.