A restaurant is at an elevated risk of fire. As a business owner, you need to be aware of potential hazards and outfit your establishment with smoke and fire alarms to adhere to regulations. Here’s a brief overview of safety requirements to help you get started.

What Are Some Common Fire Hazards in Restaurants?

The kitchen poses the highest risks, since cooks work with heat and open flames. An oven or cooktop that isn't clean can start a fire. Appliances that don’t generate much heat, like refrigeration equipment, can get overheated if they’re damaged. Leaking gas lines and overflowing grease traps also provide fuel for flames.

Electrical wiring from light fixtures and outlets can pose threats without professional installation and maintenance. If your restaurant uses open flames for dishes or decorations, these items could cause accidents if they’re knocked over.

How Can You Protect Your Business?

First, make sure all your wiring and equipment is installed by licensed contractors, and that you have safety documentation for each system.

Install smoke and fire alarms throughout the building and properly maintain them. This might require replacing batteries and updating systems based on the schedules recommended by their manufacturers. It’s also necessary to maintain the fire extinguishers throughout the kitchen and dining areas following National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes, which vary according to occupancy and business type. 

Train your employees in fire safety, including how to use fire extinguishers to put out small grease and electrical fires. All equipment should be cleaned every week to remove oil buildup. 

If you need to install commercial smoke and fire alarms, choose Action Security & Communications in Rochester, NY. Serving Monroe County, they make safety a top priority and offer a full range of cutting-edge security equipment. Their commercial alarms identify excess smoke, carbon monoxide, and heat. Call (800) 445-1410 to discuss your needs, or visit them online to learn more about their detectors.