According to the U.S. Fire Administration, commercial kitchen fires cause over $100 million in damage every year. Kitchen fires are extremely dangerous and can lead to personal injury, loss of life, and massive property damage. Below, we’re going to discuss how property and business owners can help prevent commercial kitchen and cooking fires.
Why Are Kitchen Fires so Serious?
Kitchen fires are the most common source of fires in businesses, and they’re responsible for more than half of all fires that start.
Kitchen fires are particularly dangerous because they often start or spread due to the buildup of grease. Grease is not only highly flammable but can also splash and spread fire rapidly. Grease is continuously being produced in commercial kitchens in high quantities and is usually found near open flames.
Below are some tips that can help reduce the chance of a kitchen fire starting. Implementing these in your commercial kitchen can help keep your property and employees safe.
1 – Remove Grease Regularly
It is imperative to clean grease and areas exposed to it thoroughly on a daily basis. Grease buildup in the kitchen will inevitably be exposed to open flames and can cause a fire to start and spread very rapidly. Pay special attention to your ventilation system, which is designed to catch grease.
2 – Service Your Equipment
Ensure that your appliances and equipment are adequately maintained at all times. Updated and maintained equipment with adequate fire-suppression technology can help keep a fire localized if one does occur in your kitchen.
3 – Maintain Your Fire Suppression System
A proper fire suppressions system can be the difference between a localized fire and total property loss. Installing and maintaining a fire suppression system can not only help mitigate damage and injury, but it’s also required by law. If you’re looking for a new fire suppression system or need to have your existing one serviced or inspected, contact one of our experts for more information today.
4 – Train Your Employees
Every person working in or around your commercial kitchen must be appropriately trained to respond to a grease fire. They should be reminded of extinguisher locations, how to use the equipment, and how to respond to a fire if one does start.
5 – Maintain a Safe Environment
Inspect your kitchen regularly for frayed electrical wires, trip hazards, and proximity of flammable materials to ovens, cooktops, or other sources of fire. While a fire can occur anywhere at any time, maintaining a safe kitchen that isn’t prone to accidents is one of the best ways to reduce the chance of fire.
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Speak with one of our kitchen fire suppression experts today.
