5 Tips On How To Prevent Commercial Kitchen Fires…
Commercial kitchen fires are a serious hazard that can have devastating consequences. In the US alone, an estimated 5,000 restaurant fires occur each year, resulting in over $200 million in property damage and hundreds of injuries. The primary causes of commercial kitchen fires include malfunctioning kitchen equipment, a lack of maintenance, and improper food-handling techniques.
Fire safety is an important concern in commercial kitchens. A kitchen fire is one of the most common and dangerous types of fires in commercial kitchens. To ensure the safety of everyone in the kitchen, it is important to understand the potential causes of a commercial kitchen fire, how to prevent them, and what to do if one does occur.
Continue reading to learn more about commercial kitchen fires and kitchen fire suppression techniques.
What Are the Different Types of Commercial Kitchen Hazards?
Commercial kitchen fires can be a devastating occurrence and they’re all too common in restaurants. There are several different types of commercial kitchen fires, each with its own unique set of risks and prevention strategies.
- Grease Fires
Grease fires are one of the most common types of commercial kitchen fires. Grease fires occur when oil or fat is heated to its flashpoint and catches fire. They can be particularly dangerous because the flames can spread quickly and be difficult to extinguish. To prevent grease fires, it’s important to keep mop buckets, grease traps, and other flammable materials away from heat sources, and to always use dry, clean pot holders and towels when handling hot surfaces.
- Electrical Fires
Electrical fires are another common type of commercial kitchen fire. These fires can be caused by faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, and other electrical malfunctions. To prevent electrical fires, it’s important to make sure all wiring is up to code and inspected regularly. It’s also important to keep all electrical cords and appliances away from stoves and other fires.
- Ventilation Hood Fires
A ventilation hood fire is a potentially dangerous situation that can occur in a commercial kitchen or other enclosed space. It happens when grease, oil, or other flammable materials accumulate in the exhaust system and ignite. The fire can spread quickly through the duct work, causing significant damage to the property, and putting anyone in the vicinity at risk of serious injury or death.
What Are the Causes of Commercial Kitchen Fires?
- The most common cause of commercial kitchen fires is grease and oil being stored improperly or left unattended.
- Another common cause of kitchen fires is improper storage of combustible materials. Any combustible materials should be kept away from heat sources and flammable liquids. Additionally, workers should pay attention to their clothing and hair, which can easily become combustible if not properly secured.
- Malfunctioning kitchen equipment is often the source of many restaurant fires. Faulty wiring, old and outdated appliances, and inadequate ventilation can all contribute to the risk of fire.
- Lack of maintenance and fire inspection is another common cause of restaurant fires. Restaurant staff should be sure to clean all equipment and surfaces regularly to prevent grease build-up and other combustible materials from collecting.
Tips to Prevent Commercial Kitchen Fires
Most kitchen fires are highly dangerous and can cost so many innocent lives, along with the building infrastructure. These kitchen fires are mainly due to grease deposits that are found near the open flames. Grease is a highly flammable substance that contributes to the rapid spread of the same. Below are some tips that can be implemented in commercial kitchens to prevent kitchen fires.
- Cleaning the grease regularly
As mentioned above, grease fires are a major cause of commercial kitchen fires. This is primarily because grease is a highly flammable substance and is generally deposited near open flames. Therefore, it is best advised to remove grease near the open flames and ventilation system regularly. Grease and oil should be stored in sealed containers and kept away from heat sources. Grease and oil should also be cleaned from surfaces and equipment regularly to help prevent kitchen fires.
- Installing Kitchen Fire Suppression System
A kitchen fire suppression system can help control the spread of fire and smoke, allowing occupants to escape quickly and safely. When choosing a kitchen fire suppression system, it is important to consider the size and type of the building, the fire hazard level, the fire and safety service, and the budget. Before beginning fire installation, the building should be inspected by a qualified fire protection engineer to determine the best system for the property.
- Conducting regular maintenance services
Regular maintenance should be performed on all devices, including kitchen appliances, wires, gas connections, fire extinguishing devices, and so on. It is also important to find trustworthy fire and safety services to perform a complete checkup, thus ensuring the safety of your staff, customers, and property.
- Conducting awareness sessions for employees
Every employee of your business should be well aware of all the fire and safety devices that have been installed. In addition to that, employees must be trained to conduct regular checkups and remove grease near the flames. Employees shall also be aware of how to respond to certain emergencies and the necessary precautions that must be taken.
- Ensure that you are maintaining a safe environment
As mentioned above, it is important to keep a check on the kitchen fire suppression system and maintain it. Along with that, it is best advised to follow the above-mentioned points. One of the most important things one should look for is grease accumulation, flammable materials, and electrical wires.
Benefits of Installing Kitchen Fire Hood Suppression System
A kitchen fire hood suppression system is similar to a fire sprinkler system that suppresses any kitchen fires with the help of chemical fire extinguishers. Besides putting out fires, it gives you several other benefits, such as the following:
- Commercial kitchen fires can cost you a fortune. This kitchen fire hood suppression system, on the other hand, saves you a lot of money by suppressing commercial kitchen fires.
- Most importantly, it makes certain that employers and customers are safe.
- A kitchen fire hood suppression system detects kitchen fires immediately and gets activated in such an event within seconds, thus suppressing commercial kitchen fires.
Wrapping Up
Now that you are aware of the different types of commercial kitchen fires and their causes, certain tips or highly recommended precautions for the same could be of great help to restaurant owners. You must be in search of the best fire and safety services in Canada and the USA. If so, TAS Fire Protection has got your back.
Our expert team is ideal for providing you with the best advice and services. Our long list of services includes installation, maintenance services, annual inspections, and certification of fire safety devices such as fire alarm systems, security alarm system, fire hoses, emergency lighting, sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, and smoke detectors, among others. Contact us now and ensure the safety of so many innocent lives and your property by installing a kitchen hood fire suppression system.
Contact Us (905-870-7779) for a Free Consultation!
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About TAS Fire Protection
TAS Fire Protection offers comprehensive and cutting-edge fire, security, and electrical services to clients with residential, commercial, industrial, or high-rise properties. Our team of highly skilled professionals has years of experience in installing, maintaining, and inspecting fire, security, and electrical systems and equipment.
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