There’s no busier kitchen than a restaurant kitchen. All that frying and sautéeing is necessary for the creation of wonderful, mouthwatering entrées. Unfortunately, culinary activities can also contribute to the creation and proliferation of kitchen fires.
Here are five easy ways to avoid a catastrophic fire in your restaurant’s kitchen.
- Train All Kitchen Staff in Fire Safety Protocols
Having kitchen staff that is properly trained in fire safety measures can prevent a small fire from getting out of control. This is especially important because grease fires, which are common in commercial kitchens, are worsened when water is thrown onto them. Therefore, grease fires require methods of suppression that are different from normal fires, but easily trainable.
- Properly Store and Dispose of Flammable Materials
Ignitable materials should be stored and kept away from areas that are likely to have intense heat and flames. These materials should also be disposed of outside the restaurant when they are no longer needed to eliminate the risk of catching fire. Discarding grease in this manner is especially important because of its high combustibility potential.
- Run Routine Checkups on Your Fire Suppression System
Fire suppression systems are the second line of defense when a kitchen fire takes over. When the system senses the presence of a fire, it will release compounds that are designed to put out the flames. Maintain the integrity of your fire suppression system by having it routinely inspected and serviced, if need be. Searching for reputable fire protection systems New York companies can help you find businesses that specialize in fire suppression system installation and maintenance.
- Place All Fire Extinguishers in Convenient Locations
Ensure that all fire extinguishers in your kitchen are stored in locations that are easy to access so that they can be readily used if a fire breaks out. It is also important to periodically inspect your fire extinguishers to make sure that they have not outlived their expiration dates. Replace them as soon as possible when they expire.
- Formulate a Practical Evacuation Plan
Having a fire in your kitchen is bad enough, but a panicked, unorganized crowd can make matters far worse. Formulating a solid evacuation plan that allows for a calm, orderly exit of the building minimizes the possibility of injury to guests and employees.
Admittedly, an evacuation plan does not prevent a kitchen fire, but it does reduce the risk of casualties attributed to the fire.
While commercial fires are not wholly preventable, there are still ways to minimize the extent of damage they cause. Following these five easy steps can keep your kitchen safe and productive.