Restaurants are notorious for being a melting pot of hazards with their industrial kitchens that sport open flames, cooking oils, hot equipment and electrical connections. Fires can cause damage in the millions to restaurants across Australia each year which is why fire safety is taken so seriously by this industry and a strong focus on fire prevention is warranted.

The basics of restaurant fire safety consist of staff training, preventative measures and being prepared.

Staff training – ensure your staff are taught how to clean up grease in the kitchen, how to use a fire extinguisher, how to tidy up to avoid fire hazards and how to store flammable liquids properly. Choose a day once a month to focus on safety and hold a safety meeting with staff to discuss concerns and to review safety procedures in order to build a safety-conscious mindset in the staff. This can go a long way in helping to prevent fires.

Preventative measures – keep fire extinguishers near the restaurant kitchen in case of a fire. Wet chemical fire extinguishers are best for suppressing kitchen fires that involve grease, fats and oils that burn at extremely high temperatures, which are class A and F fires. Install an automatic fire-suppression system in the kitchen. Given that 57% of restaurant fires involve cooking equipment, this system can deliver chemicals to cover the flames and it automatically shuts down the fuel supply to nearby cooking equipment. Finally, schedule regular maintenance on electrical equipment and have your exhaust system inspected monthly for grease build-up.

Be prepared – have an emergency plan in which all of your staff are trained, to allow them to take control in the case of a fire and evacuate the building. One staff member per shift is a designated evacuation manager responsible for contacting emergency services and ensuring everyone exits the restaurant.

Your staff should also be trained in first aid and should conduct inspections of the kitchen first aid kit on a regular basis to ensure it stays up-to-date. The moderate-high risk wall mount cabinet is ideal for kitchen restaurants as it is suitable for up to 50 people in low and moderate risk workplaces. The kit is comprised of an extensive range of materials including burn treatments, trauma dressings and eye wash care.

Remember – fire safety and accident prevention is all about being aware of hazards and being prepared.

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