On November 21, 1994, a new Underwriters Laboratories test standard entitled UL 300, Fire Testing of Fire Extinguishing Systems for Protection of Restaurant Cooking Areas went into effect. This new standard is the result of changes in fire hazards involving commercial cooking equipment.

Pre-engineered chemical suppression systems were developed in the 1960's for the protection of commercial cooking equipment, plenums and ducts. Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) developed a series of fire tests for these systems designed to duplicate the potential fire hazard found in the work place. These tests established specific requirements (and limitations) affecting extinguishing agent, fire detection, piping limitations, nozzle coverage, etc., for each manufacturer who submitted its system for UL testing. Following successful completion of such tests, this data created the installation and maintenance manual for that specific manufacturer.