Fire Damage Prevention Tips

4/29/2019 (Permalink)

Fire Safely in the Workplace

As the owner, or manager, of a corner cafe or a quick service restaurant, you know that fire is one of the worst things imaginable. It will endanger the lives of your staff and your guests and destroy your property, shutting you down indefinitely.

It will always be a good idea to take a look at your established policies to ensure that your practices and procedures to prevent fires in your establishment are appropriate and are being followed.

Here are some essential fire damage prevention tips for your commercial kitchen:

EQUIPMENT SAFETY. Cooking equipment is often responsible for restaurant building fires. All your equipment must be maintained in top condition, from ovens to fryers. Following established cleaning practices daily, and to the letter, in addition to regular professional inspections, will ensure that repairs are made before something happens and that your equipment won’t outlive its safe operation. 

GREASE. A buildup of grease in hoods and grease traps can be a dangerous thing. These equipment components operate under high-heat constantly, so they can easily become a fire hazard, as can kitchen duct work. Contact an experienced cleaning and restoration professional to address these issues and help you to maintain healthy indoor air quality.

SPRINKLERS. A critical component of commercial kitchen fire safety is the fire sprinkler system. Corrosion can weaken their effectiveness, so having them regularly inspected will be a good practice in preventing fire damage.

UL COMPLIANCE. If you don’t know how old your kitchen UL suppression system is, verify that information during your next inspection. You may want to consider an upgrade to UL 300 compliance to ensure your commercial kitchen’s safety.

EMPLOYEES. The very best equipment and the most top quality maintenance can never completely prevent restaurant fires. The most effective weapon in your arsenal is going to be your employees. Train them well to always be ready for restaurant fire emergencies through monthly meetings and drills, and encourage their input when addressing safety issues. Make sure everyone knows how to use fire extinguishers and how to safely evacuate your building.

Getting your doors back open quickly will be easier with the help of a professional restoration company. Call us here at  SERVPRO of Fairfield County if you experience fire damage, water damage, or mold issues.