Fire protection is necessary for all buildings that accommodate large crowds of people all at once. Different establishments will have differently sized commercial kitchens. Take a moment to think about the differences you might see in a hotel restaurant kitchen versus somewhere serving fast food or even a food truck. Fire protection mistakes are easy to make and even easier to forget about, especially when it gets too busy.
Misplaced Equipment and Appliances
Restaurant management needs to be mindful of everything that could go wrong when it comes to a fire. Electrical shorts could be just as much as a problem as a gas explosion or a cooking fire going out of control. If all of the equipment and appliances in your kitchen are not laid out correctly, then it’s a mistake. All fire protection systems are optimized for where everything is in the kitchen.
However, some carts and storage units could be moved and get in the way of the systems, preventing them from carrying out their assigned functions whenever an emergency arises. Falling out of compliance with fire safety and fire protection regulations can negatively impact the reputation of your business along with exposing you to liability suits that you would rather avoid.
Neglected Maintenance
Another issue is the problem of neglected maintenance. All cooking and food preparation equipment and appliances must be inspected and maintained at set intervals, even if all they need is a thorough cleaning. That said, fire extinguishers, fire suppression systems, and other fire protection measures need to be cared for in the same way. Some preventative maintenance now can prevent a crisis later.
By ensuring maintenance is done when it needs to be, owners can avoid expensive repairs and even costlier downtime due to closing down the house whether or not the dinnertime rush is on. Grease clogs not only present a fire hazard, but these can also prevent fire protection systems from working correctly.
What to Do Next
Ignoring any necessary service is not the way to go. Instead, consider having inspections and any needed maintenance completed by the experts. Most business owners don’t know what they should look for, but fire protection technicians do, especially if they are knowledgeable about how to test and repair fire extinguishers.
Fire Protection Services from Fireline
Whether you need smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, or an automatic sprinkler system installed at your commercial property, Fireline has you covered. We have been protecting people and property from fire damage since 1947—and our experience shows in our excellent work! We are known for our superb customer service, our expertise, and our reliability. For more information on how we can help your residential or commercial property, visit us online or give us a call at (800) 553-3405. We are located in Baltimore, MD, with a second office in Leesburg, VA. For more fire safety tips, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.