Based on information from the National Fire Protection Association or NFPA, between 2010 and 2014, there were over 7,400 fires in bars and restaurants every year. Each year, restaurants in these establishments result in fatalities, injuries, and millions of dollars in property damage.
Of all the fires considered by NFPA, over 59% of them began in the kitchen. This illustrates how important it is to understand and implement the proper fire safety equipment and practices.
Keep reading to learn more about the importance of proper commercial kitchen fire safety and employee training to reduce the risk of a devastating fire in your commercial kitchen.
Tips for Preventing Commercial Kitchen Fires
Mechanical or electrical failures caused around 26% of the fires studied in the report mentioned above. They also occur due to the malfunction of kitchen appliances and equipment.
Because of this, preventative maintenance is necessary to reduce the risk of a fire.
Maintaining Kitchen Exhaust Systems and Appliances
Your appliances and exhaust system need to be working properly to prevent serious issues. Some steps to provide proper maintenance include:
Electrical equipment must be inspected and maintained regularly to find hazards that may result in a fire.
Malfunctioning or damaged appliances should be repaired by professionals right away.
Deep fat fryers should be located away from any open flame cooking equipment.
Invest in regular cleaning and maintenance for your kitchen exhaust system to prevent grease build-up.
Maintaining Kitchen Fire Suppression Equipment and Systems
When it comes to fire safety in a commercial kitchen, you must make sure you are compliant with all fire safety regulations related to the inspection, testing, and maintenance of your property’s fire suppression system. It’s also essential that you know the regulations relevant to all other aspects of fire safety, such as emergency lighting.
Some tips to help with this maintenance include:
Keep portable fire extinguishers nearby as a backup.
Have your kitchen fire suppression system inspected and tested regularly.
Regularly inspect and test your building’s fire alarms.
Test all exit and emergency lighting.
Housekeeping Tasks to Help Prevent Kitchen Fires
Good housekeeping and cleanliness can help to significantly reduce the overall risk of fires in a commercial kitchen. This is important because the information from NFPA has shown that up to 22% of the fires that take place in commercial kitchens every year occur because of the staff’s failure to clean.
To avoid this situation, it is a good idea to make sure your staff is properly trained on the right ways to clean a commercial kitchen. Investing in this now can help you save a lot of money in the future.
Keeping Your Commercial Kitchen Safe from Fire
If you want to minimize the possibility of a fire in your commercial kitchen, be sure to use the tips and information found here. Doing so will pay off and help ensure you don’t have to deal with a devastating fire on your property. Being informed is the best way to prevent commercial kitchen fires.