When it comes to restaurant fire safety, extreme care has to be taken.
That’s because fire accidents in restaurants can be devastating. There is a higher risk to life in these scenarios. Additionally, fire safety standards are always changing. This is why restaurants must always update their safety measures too.
Luckily, the following are some restaurant fire safety tips which make sure that your establishment is safe and sound and in line with industry standards too:
- Get Class ABC and K Fire Extinguishers
One of the first things you should do is make sure that you have ABC fire extinguishers. The Class ABC means that the extinguisher can be used for fuel fires, electric fires and more. For the kitchen, you should have a class K extinguisher.
This is designed to be specifically used with kitchen fires that are caused by fats, grease or oils. Having these two types of extinguishers is necessary to ensure that all fires can be contained properly. It is a good idea to make sure that you check the extinguishers from time to time to ensure that they haven’t expired.
- Don’t Have Open Flames
Do your best to contain any and all open flames. In a restaurant kitchen, this can be a bit difficult as cooking on the stove means that you won’t exactly contain the flame. However, try not to flambé or sear things when there is a high chance that the fire can get out of hand.
Similarly, if you are using candles for décor, make sure to have them in a candle holder. This prevents the candles from toppling over and rolling under the table. In such cases, the table cloth can catch on fire and if not contained, can quickly spread.
- Have a Clear Fire Exit
Keep all exits clear and mark them prominently. There should an exit for the kitchen and a separate one for the patrons. Don’t place any tables, boxes or chairs in front of them. You are required by law to have an accessible fire escape.
If you are blocking the way, you could end up facing legal fines and penalties. Additionally, when you do need to use the exit, this issue can spell disaster.
- An Auto Fire Suppression System
For the kitchen area, you should have an automatic fire suppression system that will automatically shut down all-electric or fuel sources. The system will also release chemicals that will help to put out the fire. This entire system should be checked twice a year by a professional.
Having this system in place is important for safety. It means that a kitchen fire will be easily contained and will not spread to other areas of the restaurant.
Conclusion
Restaurant fire safety is extremely important and will ensure that your establishment is safe for you and your patrons. By having a few systems in place, you also manage to contain the damage and ensure that there is no risk to anyone.
