When it comes to fire prevention and fire safety in restaurants, a variety of regular activities can be done on a daily or weekly basis. If you don’t already have a restaurant fire safety plan, put these tips into action!
According to the National Fire Protection Association, around 8,000 restaurants report fires every year. Each year, these incidents cause almost $250 million in direct property damage.
As a restaurant owner, Quickshipfire understands the challenges you face on a budget. Since the Covid-19 outbreak, many restaurants and bars have cut back on costs, reduced staff, limited operating hours, or even closed their doors entirely as a result of public health restrictions.
The lack of budgets prevents many restaurants from upgrading their kitchen equipment and systems. By properly training their staff to prevent and respond to such emergencies, restaurant owners can affordably reduce the fire risk on their property.
Having a fire safety plan for your commercial kitchen is important to ensure fire safety procedures are followed and your business remains safe.
Employees should be trained to take the following action in case of a fire:
- Correct use of fire extinguishers: To use a fire extinguisher correctly, pull the pin, point it at the fire, squeeze the handle, and sweep it from side to side as you approach it slowly.
- In the event of a grease fire, staff should not use water to extinguish it, as fat could splash and potentially expand the flame surface area. Use a fire extinguisher
- Stop the flow of gas and electricity to prevent the fire from spreading.
- Evacuate in case of emergency. The staff should be aware of basic evacuation measures and proper exit strategies. It is essential that at least one member of staff be designated as the evacuation manager, whose responsibility is to call 911 and instruct all staff and customers on how to safely exit the building.
Fire Safety Tips for Restaurant Staff
Fire safety training is an essential part of restaurant fire safety. In order to prevent fires, employees should be taught fire safety protocols, including how to avoid common fire hazards. It is also important that employees receive well-trained fire response training in order to react safely to fires. The following tips will help you provide comprehensive fire safety training at your establishment:
- Fire Safety Equipment: All staff should be familiar with how to handle and use fire safety equipment and emergency supplies such as fire extinguishers.
- Power Sources: It is important for kitchen staff to be aware of where power sources are located and how to turn them off in order to avoid sparking a fire.
- Crisis Response: To prevent panic and fear, train employees on how to respond calmly to emergencies, such as fires.
- Types of Fires: Training staff on how to deal with different types of kitchen fires.
- Chemical Safety: Provide employees a training on how to safely handle chemicals and other flammable items.
- Refresher Courses: Make sure employees are provided with fire safety refresher courses frequently to keep their knowledge fresh.
Restaurant Fire Safety Checklist
You need a variety of tools and plans to keep your restaurant safe from fires. Safety measures can not only help you to respond fires better, but can also help prevent them. Listed below are the most important aspects to consider:
- All emergency exits should be clearly marked with exit signs, and employees should always know where to go in case of an emergency.
- The location of the fire exit should be mapped out, posted on the walls, and taught to employees.
- In order to facilitate a quick evacuation, all exits should remain open and free of debris.
- Keeping appliances and other equipment in good repair and maintaining them regularly will reduce their risk of catching fire.
- Chemicals and liquids that are flammable should be stored properly to prevent fires.
- Place fire extinguishers throughout the establishment, especially in areas that are more likely to catch fire.
Keeping Your Commercial Kitchen Safe
If you need fire alarm equipment, fire alarm batteries or replacement fire alarm parts for your restaurant, call Quickshipfire today. As one of the largest fire alarm equipment providers in the USA, Quickshipfire offers a wide variety of commercial fire alarm parts.
