How to Prevent Fires With Excellent Restaurant Kitchen Safety

With fast-paced movements, stovetop flames and plenty of hot grease, restaurant kitchens can be a high-risk area for fires. Fire prevention methods are key to keeping your employees, building and customers safe. This process goes far beyond reactive measures like having a working exit sign and a fire extinguisher onsite. Your restaurant should be taking several preventive measures to avoid dangerous fires in the first place. Here, we’ll explore three steps you can take to reduce the risk of anything in your space being set ablaze.

1. Follow a Regular Preventive Maintenance Schedule

Over time, solid fuel can create a flammable residue buildup in your exhaust systems. Add several maintenance steps into your kitchen cleaning routine to make sure you’re staying on top of kitchen fire safety. The steps should include:

• Inspecting and cleaning all solid fuel cooking appliances monthly to stop residue from accumulating
• Inspecting cooking appliances at least quarterly to make sure they’re not wearing down and at risk of causing an electrical fire
• Regularly testing your kitchen fire suppression system, smoke detectors and fire alarms to make sure they’re working properly
• Checking your emergency and exit lighting each month to make sure it’s still shining bright

2. Stick to Good Housekeeping Habits

Inspection and maintenance checks aren’t the only way to encourage fire safety either. Your employees can do their part each and every day by following smart housekeeping habits. You probably already have staff members devoted to wiping surfaces and mopping floors — but what about cleanup that will lower your fire risks? Remember, it only takes one spark around built-up grease to cause serious problems.

Make sure these cleaning steps are being completed:

• Empty your grease containers and deep fryer oil at least once a day.
• Vent cooking appliance exhaust outside to avoid greasy exhaust buildup.
• Fireproof walls around your ovens and fryers.
• Clean your oven surfaces and equipment using hot water, soap and chemical degreasing agents, if needed.

3. Train Your Employees on Fire Safety

Your biggest line of defense for restaurant kitchen safety should be properly trained employees. Make it a priority to schedule thorough fire safety methods with each employee. You’ll want to cover an introduction to the hazards of fuel-air combustion, the dangers of explosive materials and the safe and proper operation of equipment.

Anybody working for you should also learn about common fire risks, safe cooking methods and how to react in an emergency fire situation. You’ll want to touch on how to operate the fire extinguishers so that employees can quickly eliminate a small fire before it becomes a major problem.

How Unlimited Restoration Can Upgrade Your Restaurant Kitchen Safety

Are you looking for ways to improve your restaurant kitchen safety for fire prevention? Unlimited Restoration can help. We offer expert disaster planning and training, including professional emergency planning that can be tailored to your business. With detailed onsite inspections and evaluations, we can bring your restaurant kitchen to a high safety standard and make sure you’re doing everything you can to stay safe.

Even if disaster strikes and an emergency does arise, your team will be equipped to handle it. Our fire damage and smoke damage restoration services are just a call away — browse our services or reach out to learn more.