Fire System Question

Ihave been servicing fire suppressions systems for close to 14 years and as I already know the answer to this I just thought I would get your opinion on this.. I recently took on a bunch of accounts. where they have moved the appliances under the hoods leaving them unprotectected from nozzle height and coverage requirements... My biggest issue if I understand the code correctly is that if the system is not UL 300 I can not alter it in any way... So being said if a restaurant moves the appliances under the hood or removes nozzles and such and a total repipe must be performed am I right to assume the whole system would need to be changed out if it is only a UL system and not a UL300 system... I have 4 stores so far that have actually removed pipe and nozzles or have installed new equipment with no nozzle coverage and the systems ( Mostly Range Guard ) are only UL listed and not UL 300.. I have previously Red Tagged these systems and sent in my comments about what I believe needs to be performed ie(new systems) but I have not heard back from the restaurants on this issue... Tough call for me..

In California, ALLautomatic fire suppression systems that service commercial kitchens with the single exception of public schools, must be upgraded to UL300 systems before the second service in 2008.
Also in California, if appliances are moved the system is required to be modified to provide correct coverage (thus upgrading to UL300 before the second service in 2008).
UL300 has been on the books since November 1994, and by now everyone of your customers should have been notified in writing of the changes. Everyone of our customers that is not compliant has received several notifications and full bids for system mods or replacement as required.
As for MS, check with your AHJ's for clarification.

Not to get myself in a world of trouble but One of our largest hospitols in Jackson is still having the 6 - HDR-50 dry chem systems that have been in service since th 70's .... I cant disclose the company that services them , but its not me... Years ago I contacted the State fire marshalls office and was told as long as the fire equipment company servicing this system deems it able to be inspected we are fine with it... .. I guess I would be rich in Cali... All I can do is suggest to the customer that they need a new system and explain why , fill out the report and have it signed... This leads to a shouting match phone call... stuff like """ Why did the last guys inspect it and you won't... I think maybe I should pay a visit to the state fire marshall's office in person... Believe it or not I have refused to tag old safey first dry chem systems that are still in service ... and the customers say the inspectors say it is ok because it is granfather claused in ... but if it should ever go off they have to have it changed out with a new system... Well I have been informed by my insurance company as well as a friend that is a fire inspector for one certian city/county that if I feel its not able to be inspected in his town to red tag it and send him a copy of the inspection report... So here we are.... Remember Mississippi does not require you to be certified to service fire equipment in Mississippi as of yet...but I hope one day we will... I have taken test after test after test on fire suppression systems of all kinds and one more test wouldn't hurt..

Tell them "Grandpa is dead", John.

Insurance companies have been giving notice to fire system companies in California that they will not cover losses for non compliant systems effective this year.

I agree we need to have someone tell insurances companies that in MS..I have been red tagging systems so much in Mississippi that I have a reputation as the guy that will not inspect your fire system unless it perfect.. LOL .. Hey thats a compliment .. Another thing I get alot is I want my system tagged but dont do the links this time because they cost to much... WOW.. But I know you here this alot right... I also had a customer tell me she new her system was down and didnot have the money for a new system but the fire dept said she had to find someone to recharge the old hdr-25 or she would have to close the kitchen operation .. She said can I put tape over the guage and you sell me a tag for it ... I told her I would give her a red tag for free , when she read the tag she threw me out... Yall need to ride with me thru Mississippi for just one day...

I agree with all the comments from above. Beyond the obvious (Price) the problem remains ignorance and apathy on the part of the restaurant, AHJ and insurance industry.
You might make a point of notifying your insurance company of these situations as both a protection for yourself and for educational purposes.

This would not get the problem fixed as the restarant is likely not a client of that agency. But your insurance company might be a little wiser.

In the case of your original questions, Perhaps -- Get yourself some new jobs while notifying the AHJ (double registered letter) of the situation. That will very likely lose you the customer, but would also put the fire department in a position of knowing there is a problem, yet willfully ignoring it. This approach is obviously froth with danger, but it is up to you (and every contractor) as to how "militant" you want to be.

Tough call either way.