Fire Suppression System Needs Re-Certification

What's causing it

Fire suppression certifications expire on a fixed 6-month cycle regardless of whether the system has been used or tested informally. The most common reason operators fall out of compliance is simply losing track of the expiration date, especially after staff turnover or ownership changes. Some systems also fall due when a kitchen undergoes a hood cleaning or equipment swap that was not followed up with a suppression inspection. In other cases, the original certification was completed by a contractor who is no longer under contract, and no replacement vendor was scheduled.

What happens if you wait

An expired certification is a documented fire permit violation under LA County Fire Code and NFPA 96, which means a fire marshal inspection can result in a notice of correction or an order to cease operations until the system is re-certified. Insurance carriers may deny fire-related claims if suppression certification was lapsed at the time of an incident. Over time, uninspected systems can also develop nozzle blockages or agent pressure loss that would cause the system to fail in an actual fire.

NFPA 96 and LA County Fire Code require inspection and certification every 6 months, and an expired certification is a citable violation that can trigger operational shutdown orders during a fire marshal inspection.