Cooking oils, electric appliances paper products, cleaning chemicals, open flames, or hot equipment all make the commercial kitchen very susceptible to fire.
Restaurants present a high risk of fire. Cooking oils, electric appliances paper products, cleaning chemicals, open flames, or hot equipment all make the commercial kitchen very susceptible to fire. A small fire can turn into a big fire with the resultant destruction of property, loss of revenue, and even permanent closure of your business. There are ways to reduce the risk of restaurant fires and what to do in case a fire does start. Read on to learn more!
Install a Fire Suppression System
Automatic fire suppression systems for commercial cooking exhaust hoods are a must. They are required by code in most jurisdictions. More than half of all restaurant fires start in cooking equipment. Fire suppression systems automatically discharge chemicals to suppress flames before they spread and prevent reflash. When the system is activated electricity or gas supply to cooking equipment is cut off automatically.
Maintain Your Fire Suppression System
The fire suppression system must be inspected and tested and installed at least twice per year. This will ensure that it is in good operating condition. This calls for a professional fire protection team, licensed in the installation and inspection of kitchen hoods.
Install Portable Fire Extinguishers
Portable fire extinguishers are required for commercial kitchens. Class K fire extinguishers have been specifically developed to fight cooking oil fires. They are extremely effective, extinguishing fires originating from fats, grease, and oils that burn at extremely high temperatures. Class K fire extinguishers utilize the same agent employed in automatic systems. You should also have a multi-purpose ABC fire extinguisher for fires caused by paper plastic, wood, and electricity.
Have a Consistent Maintenance Schedule
A regular, consistent maintenance schedule for all your fire protection equipment is imperative. It can get a bit hectic working in a restaurant, so it’s nice to have a routine schedule for fire extinguisher and automatic systems inspection and testing. This applies to fire alarm and sprinkler systems if you have them in your facility.
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.