Avoid FDNY Fire Violations in Your NYC Restaurant Kitchen
Learn the most common FDNY fire violations in NYC restaurants and how to avoid them with expert tips from Master Fire.
Running a restaurant in New York City is tough enough — the last thing you need is a fire code violation from the FDNY shutting your kitchen down. At Master Fire, we’ve spent over 50 years helping commercial kitchens across the five boroughs stay compliant, avoid fines, and stay open for business.
So, what is a fire violation? It's a formal notice from the FDNY that your kitchen is out of compliance with fire safety codes. These can result from routine inspections, 311 complaints, or emergency response calls. Once issued, these violations are mandated — meaning you are legally required to correct them.
Here are the most common violations we see, along with best practices and the required service frequency for each system:
Hood Suppression System: Violations often involve clogged nozzles, expired tags, or poor nozzle alignment. Best practice? Have a licensed technician inspect the system every 6 months. We’ll track this for you so you never miss a deadline.
Exhaust Hood & Ductwork: Grease buildup, dirty filters, and missing access panels are major red flags. Depending on your cooking volume, systems should be cleaned monthly to quarterly. We’ll provide the cleaning logs and schedule reminders.
Fire Extinguishers: The FDNY requires Class K extinguishers near cooking equipment. These must be inspected annually and visually checked monthly. We tag and mount them correctly — and train your staff on visual checks.
Fire Sprinklers: Whether it's blocked sprinkler heads or a missed 5-year hydrostatic test, sprinkler violations can be costly. Schedule annual flow tests and 5-year hydro tests. We handle both and file the reports with the city.
Equipment Positioning: Fryers next to flames or equipment moved outside the suppression zone? That’s a violation. We review your layout during every scheduled visit.
Master Fire not only corrects violations — we prevent them. Our automated scheduling, digital logs, and licensed service mean you’ll always be up to code without lifting a finger.
Call Master Fire today to schedule your next inspection and avoid costly disruptions. We serve restaurants, cafes, food halls, and nightclubs across NYC — and we make fire safety easy.
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For more information give us a call at (718) 828-6424!
Master Fire Prevention being a reliable fire protection services company in NYC requires a combination of our expertise, rapid response, regulatory compliance, advanced technology, and exceptional customer service. By excelling in these areas, we effectively safeguard lives and property, earning the trust and loyalty of our clients in the ever-dynamic landscape of New York City.
