Preventing Commercial Kitchen Fires

2/9/2021 (Permalink)

Of all the businesses you can think of, which seem like the most likely to catch fire? You guessed it: restaurants and buildings with commercial kitchens. Besides the obvious fact that commercial kitchens often contain ovens and stoves, they also usually have refrigeration equipment, big electrical appliances, and different types of cooking equipment like fryers that lend themselves well to going up in flames if the wrong materials are nearby at the wrong time. 

So how do you prevent commercial kitchen fires? We’ve put together a list of safety precautions to help you avoid an unplanned kitchen fire and maintain a safe commercial kitchen. 

1) Maintain your cooking equipment regularly

We can’t stress this point enough. Although maintenance may seem like a hassle to schedule and unnecessary fees every year, it’s an integral part of maintaining a commercial kitchen with minimal fire hazards. Since cooking equipment and appliances are normally fired up every day, or at least most days, wear and tear builds up in no time. If any minor issues are left unaddressed, this could lead to more vulnerabilities in the equipment that may make it easier for things to catch fire. Be proactive about repairing any damage and fine-tuning the equipment to save money in the long run as well as be vigilant about safety.

2) De-grease your kitchen

Almost all restaurants experience grease building up on their appliances and countertops as oil splatters out of pans and things aren’t properly cleaned as people are moving speedily about your kitchen. However, grease is a highly flammable substance that should be degreasing all of your kitchen surfaces on a regular basis. So many kitchen fires stem from grease catching ablaze, but reducing the amount of grease available to catch fire should automatically reduce the risk of your kitchen going up in flames. 

3) Have fire safety systems in place

Does your restaurant have a sprinkler system in place? It should at least have carbon monoxide detectors installed and fire extinguishers in the kitchen. Make sure that your entire kitchen staff is trained on what to do in the event of a fire and where to go. They should all know how to use a fire extinguisher, and education on how to handle grease fires (do NOT throw water on them) should also be widely known.

If you experience fire damage, water damage, storm damage, mold, or another disaster, give the SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville restoration specialists a call at (615) 242-9391. We’re available 24/7, 365 days a year. This franchise is independently owned and operated.