Kitchen safety is paramount in a restaurant, and there are a variety of potential fire sources in the kitchen. 41 per cent of nonconfined restaurant fires originate in cooking areas and kitchens, starting in deep fryers (nine per cent), with ranges (7 per cent), and with other miscellaneous kitchen and cooking equipment (five per cent).
Teaching your staff to prioritize workplace safety is crucial in ensuring that everyone is on the same page, looking for signs of danger and handling an emergency situation according to your procedures. Train your team to take simple steps to keep your kitchen safe and free from fire:
- Schedule regular maintenance and checkups. These assessments should include hood systems, nozzles, pipes, valves, extinguishing agents, caps, pull stations, gauges, fusible links, and control panels to ensure that everything is in working order.
- Grease traps can create flammable and toxic gases over time, so they must be tested and monitored regularly.
- Keep equipment clean to eliminate grease as a potential fire hazard.
- Maintain a clutter-free kitchen, keeping pathways clear and exits available in case of emergency.
- Keep flammable materials safely stored out of range of the heat from the kitchen. This includes cooking oils, paper products, table linens, cleaning products and more. Follow the directions on the label for safe storage and use.
- Ensure that you have the correct amount of smoke detectors and that they are functioning properly. This also applies to fire alarms and sprinkler systems.
- Unplug appliances when not in use. Appliances with heating elements like coffeemakers and toasters could be a potential fire hazard.
- Create a safety plan, so everyone knows where exits are, fire extinguishers are located, and what they should do in case of emergency.
- Check with your local fire department to ensure that you are in compliance with the safety rules and regulations for your area.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire departments report about 20 restaurant fires every day. Kitchens are often busy and chaotic, but taking the time to make it safe is vital for your team and your business. Take a proactive approach to prevent fires before they happen in the kitchen.
