Thermocouple

Douglas Hicks

Tim McElwain, thanks for the information on thermocouples. Now I have another question about thermocouples. Recently I serviced a fire suppression system in a resturant. Part of the service includes dis-arming the system, then tripping the fire suppression system. This should also shut off fuel sources, includeing the automatic gas valve to the appliances. The gas valve tripped and shut off the fuel gas. After resetting the fire system, I lit the pilot lights. One of the fryer pilots did not light. I coudl have changed the thermocouple, but I have never had the need to change a thermocouple in a fryer, just ovens. I told my customer, he contacted a local gas service agency to replace the pilot. The thermocouple they used also fit a furnace. Of course he blames me for the problem, saying everything worked until I touched the appliance. Now in 25 years + I have only seen about 10 or 15 thermocouples go bad in commercial appliances. At about 250 resturants serviced per year, 2 fryers and 2 ovens each store times 25 years = 25,000 thermocouples that have not failed. So what went wrong, the thermocouple worked prior to the gas shut off.

Thanking you in advance
Douglas Hicks
General Fire Equipment Co of Eastern Oregon, Inc

jim lockard

Maybe

As Mr Newton said an object in motion/ an object at rest. Your T-Couple needed a rest. Sounds like the t-couple had the power to hold the pilot in, just not the power to pull the pilot in. Doug it would have failed sooner or later. Best Wishes J.Lockard

Empire_2

Baso switch

Check to see if there is a baso switch which must be depressed in order for the t-couple to stay lit provided it's good. As far as the test goes, you did what is I'm sure required by fire code to keep the restaurant safe in case of an emergency. Although nobody does it, the pieces of equipment should be serviced and maintained just like a furnace. Who knows, maybe the grease cooled enough and bloched the pilot orifice.....:) Anything is possible.
Mike T

rich pickering

I've replaced lots of parts in fryers. They wear out,which is why they sell replacment parts and new fryers. Fire that customer. BTW, do you have many fire claims a few months after you have done an inspection?

Unknown

Douglas, Jim Lockard hit the nail

on the head. It is often the case that a system is on its last legs and ready to go. When you shut it off it does not have the ability to come back on. In that case it needs replaced.

As one who had a restaurant service business for 9 years all equipment needs serviced. I serviced all my restaurant customers once a month and did a monthly maintenance.

The failure was not your fault it was going to go soon anyway.

Douglas Hicks

Thank you all for your responses. I had a good idea what the problem was, and you confirmed what I had already told the customer, that it was time for thermocouple to be replaced. This customer only has his fire suppression system serviced about every 3 years, code calls for 2 times a year. Oddly enough, his insurance company renews every 3 years. He maintains all of his equipment like his life and safety equipment, only when something does not work. He always has a complaint and never pays on time. And I did fire him, we have too many good customers to waste our time and resources on customers like him.

Douglas Hicks
General Fire Equipment Co of Eastern Oregon, Inc

Douglas Hicks

To Rich, I have never had a fire system go off after several months. I have however had systems trip while I was working on them, 5 in 25 years. I've broken things, made a mess, stuck my foot in the fryer, set off fire alarms, had jobs take longer than expected and so delayed opening of a resturant. If you are in any kind of service business, you have screw-ups, just admit it,clean it up, make it right, pay for it, and go on with life. I have never lost an account because of an honest mistake. In fact, my customers are so surprised any one will admit a mistake, they are more loyal. As a result, we have accounts we have serviced for more than 25 years, accounts we have keys for, accounts who may not know we were in the store until they get a bill, accounts who tell us to take care of the service & not to bother them. Treat people right, they will treat you right. Those who do not appreciate good service we just send them elsewhere. We take any classes we can. We are licensed, certified, insured, for all aspects of our trade. We have an excellent raport w/our inspectors, who often refer customers to us. Sometimes I come across as an arrogant ****, but we are the best in our part of Oregon. We enjoy the tough jobs, they are the most fun. In fact, sometimes I think most of us running small shops have similar traits that may be irritating to others.

Douglas Hicks
General Fire Equipment Co of Eastern Oregon, Inc

rich pickering

Fireguy, the thought of sticking my foot in a fryer almost freaks me out. Heard of a girl here that was cleaning the hood, slipped, and stuck her whole leg in the fryer.

Let me rephrase my question. Any claims of the system not going off during a fire? I know of one sprinkler company here that quit doing restaraunts because of bogus insurance claims.

Douglas Hicks

Rich, sorry for the misunderstanding. I have never had a fire stystem not work in a fire situation. I have had threats of bogus insurance claims. I did have a customer claim my fire system did not work. The system did not trip, because the fire did not last long enough or generate enough heat. The customer installed his own fryer, one the pipes was not tight and leake propane, boom. The cook grabbed a fire extinguisher, after clearing the resturant of customers. She used the extinguiusher and controlled the fire. the customer blaimed me of course. After I did my fire investigation, he would not come into the resturant so I could show him the problem. Turns out the staff could smell gas, but the owner did not listen to them. Chemical systems normally need to reach 600* to activate, and maintain this temperature for 5 or 6 minutes. The fusible links are rated from 360* to 500 *. Sprinklers are rated from 155* to 600*. I have been threatened w/legal action so many times I just tell them to call my attorny & to enclose a check for $300.00 for the first 2 hours. Now that is for bogus claims, legitimate claims we respond immediatly and take care of any problems. Have you ever noticed the same customer the plumber has problems with, the electrician has problems with, and the HVAC guy has problems with?

Douglas Hicks
General Fire Equipment Co of Eastern Oregon, Inc