A kitchen fire is every restaurant’s nightmare, especially with the potential for crippling damage and injury to staff and patrons. Learning about proper kitchen fire safety maintenance and prevention is essential for everyone on staff. Here is a list to help you stay organized when running through safety guidelines with employees.

3 Ways to Prevent a Kitchen Fire

1. Schedule Regular Kitchen Fire Safety Maintenance

Although a fire can happen anytime, the danger is lessened if you are maintaining your systems. Have the ventilation hoods cleaned regularly to prevent grease buildup that is flammable and blocks airflow.

NFPA® 96 safety code requires regular inspection and cleaning for all commercial cooking establishments. Check all electrical components of the kitchen, from switch plates and sockets to appliances and cords. Replace any frayed cords or those with exposed wires as well as any broken sockets or switches. You should also keep appliances professionally repaired.

2. Have a Fire Suppression System

A complete fire suppression system should include sprinklers, wet chemical sprays, alarms, and portable fire extinguishers. Safety codes require that these systems are tested regularly, so make sure your business is up to date.

Have fire extinguishers checked as well, and ensure that staff know the location and how to use them. Test alarms and emergency lighting systems at least once a year.

3. Keep Grease Down

Grease fires are the most common types of fires found in kitchens. Grease can build up anywhere, but it’s most dangerous in the exhaust system as well as on stoves and grills.

While you may have the professionals in to clean the exhaust and grease trap, it’s crucial to have staff regularly cleaning other areas. Keep fryers a minimum of 16 inches away from any open flame to avoid ignition from splashes.

4. Staff Training

Part of fire safety is training kitchen staff to know how to put out grease fires effectively; they should also know how to use fire suppression blankets and extinguishers as well as have common-sense prevention — such as turning off a heat source to limit a fire.

All staff should know the fire evacuation plan and their responsibilities if an alarm sounds. Those working with open flame, table-side cooking implements, or deep fat fryers must be thoroughly trained to avoid accidents and injury.

For fire safety maintenance and systems in the Dothan, AL, area choose Advanced Fire & Safety Inc. Their experienced consultants will help your business make a fire safety plan, and licensed technicians will install suppression equipment as well as service hood and exhaust systems. Serving area commercial clients for 16 years. Call (334) 671-4596 to schedule a consultation, or visit them online to see a full list of services.