By following these tips and being proactive in fire prevention, restaurant owners and kitchen staff can significantly reduce the risk of kitchen fires. Remember, prevention is always better than dealing with the aftermath of a devastating fire.
Stay vigilant, stay prepared, and keep your restaurant kitchen safe.
EDUCATION
Educate staff on:
- where to find extinguishers and how to use them
- where to locate all exits in case of fire
- the importance of cleaning, especially greasy equipment and surfaces
- how to activate the hood system (manual pull station, just in case)
EQUIPMENT
Ensure all equipment is regularly inspected and well maintained. Malfunctioning kitchen equipment, such as stoves, ovens, and deep fryers are one of the leading causes of kitchen fires. Grease traps can be not only a fire hazard, but also a slip hazard.
OILY RAGS
Oily/greasy towels should be stored in a metal container with a lid. They should be laundered by a professional service. Oily/greasy towels can spontaneously combust in laundry bags or the dryer!
FIRE SUPPRESSION
There are strict regulations for maintaining fire suppression systems. These regulations include regular cleaning and servicing. You MUST comply to avoid potential legal issues or fines and, most importantly, to be sure your systems are ready to function as intended if there is a fire. Failure to clean and maintain systems could result in a fire loss that is not insured.
EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
Work with your local fire department and create an emergency action plan that outlines what to do in case of fire. Review the plan regularly with your staff. Many fire departments offer free training for fire prevention and emergency preparedness.
For information about insuring your business with ICC, contact an agent today. Use our Find an Agent search to locate an agent in your area.
