Salt Lake City, UT – While restaurants bring a lot of people joy, the fact is they are highly dangerous places. The kitchen is the culprit. Hot equipment, flames, chemicals, and paper products increase the risks of fire significantly. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that thousands of establishments report fires every year to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. In other words, as a restaurant owner, a fire could cost you a significant amount of money and could cost you your business altogether. It’s not worth the risk, especially when there are ways to prevent restaurant fires. Here are the steps to take.
A fire suppression system releases chemicals when it detects a fire. The chemicals suppress the flames, and the system automatically turns off the electrical supply.
Keep Class K Extinguishers Within Arm’s Reach
Place K Extinguishers near all areas where fires could start, such as near the stoves and ovens. ABC extinguishers are best for areas where paper, wood, and electrical fires could occur.
Schedule Inspections Regularly
Inspections ensure everything is in good working order and there are no fire risks. They should be conducted quarterly unless your restaurant is a high-volume operation. If your kitchen has wood or charcoal burning ovens, you should schedule monthly inspections.
Train Your Staff
Fire Restaurant Safety training for staff is important. All staff should have a refresher every six months. Training should include:
Fat removal method
How to deal with a grease fire
Clean the ashes method
Where to store flammable liquids
The importance of keeping areas tidy
An emergency plan
Maintenance Is Important
You should have all equipment maintained at least every six months. A Fire Restaurant Safety professional can check for any loose or frayed wires and broken switch plates. A report will identify any fire hazards you’ll need to take care of to pass inspection.
Schedule Maintenance to Prevent Restaurant Fires
Is it time for a maintenance and Fire Restaurant Safety inspection appointment? Contact APS-Hoods for professional cleaning, maintenance, and fire protection services. We can protect your business by ensuring your kitchen’s equipment and setup have a low risk of fire. Call us today at 800-750-7313 for a free quote.
Denver, CO – Each year, fires cause serious damage to property, sometimes even resulting in injury and death. One of the most effective strategies to protect a building against fire is for management to educate everyone on staff regarding methods of fire prevention and urge them to report any possible fire hazards so that the situation can be handled quickly and properly. Although workplace environments vary, there are some common fire hazards business owners need to be aware of; following are some examples and tips on how to reduce the risk of them causing a fire.
Flammable Liquids and Vapors:
This is more of a threat in some environments than others. Particularly at risk are factories and industrial warehouses where large amounts of vapors and flammable liquids are kept. Flammable liquids can ignite immediately when they come into contact with a flame or spark. To decrease the risk of a fire in these areas, always be sure that solvents and flammable liquids are correctly sealed – and if a spill does happen – be sure they are safely and properly cleaned immediately.
Waste and Combustible Material:
In many business offices, there is a buildup of trash, paper, and other flammable items that can easily catch fire. If these objects are not discarded on a regular basis, they can provide ample fuel for a dangerous blaze. Avoid stowing rubbish on site as much as possible, or make sure it is in an assigned area, away from main buildings and any possible sources of ignition.
Overheating Objects:
In some cases, electrical equipment and machinery warm up during use, providing the potential for a fire. Combustible materials should be kept away from heat sources and unplug any equipment that is not being used whenever possible. Never leave any machinery or electrical equipment turned on overnight unless it is necessary.
Overloaded Sockets:
This is a common cause of electrical fires, but it can be easily avoided. A fire can start if faulty extension cords are used or there are too many appliances plugged into the same socket. Use one plugin each socket only, and never use appliances that total more than 3,000 watts or 13amps across the entire socket.
Faulty Equipment:
These fires are one of the most common types that occur in the workplace. Encourage staff to be on the lookout for any signs of loose cables or damaged plugs and replace them immediately. All electrical equipment should be checked by an expert technician on a regular basis.
Human Negligence:
Unfortunately, one of the most common causes of fires in the workplace is human negligence. Even though the component of human mistakes cannot be completely removed, with proper training business owners can eliminate these errors by providing effective training and guidance for their staff.
A clean workplace is a safe workplace. For all your commercial cleaning needs in the Denver areas, call APS-Hoods today at (800) 750-7313 to schedule a consultation, or request a free quote online.
