How To Prevent Fires In Restaurants

CONTENTS

• Have an emergency procedure in place
• Provide thorough safety training to staff
• Consistently clean the area
• Be cautious of electrical hazards
• Invest in an effective fire suppression system
• Our smoke odour removal service
  • We're ready to help

Providing a clean and inviting atmosphere is crucial for restaurants and commercial enterprises. Customers won't be impressed with bad odours in the building, and may not come back to your restaurant again due to this.

At ICE Cleaning, we provide a wide range of odour removal services to remove unpleasant smoke smells in all kinds of environments. Operating 24/7, 365 days a year, our technicians can be on site within the hour to begin work in cases of emergency.

Continue reading to learn some of the main ways you can prevent a fire from occurring in your restaurant. We also detail how to remove stubborn odours that have remained behind from a fire, which is important because of the risk created by third-hand smoke.

Have an emergency procedure in place

As an employer, you have a responsibility to ensure your staff are safe at work. One of these obligations is to have an efficient emergency procedure in place that can be followed during a fire.

Your fire marshal will be in charge of the evacuation process, and all employees should be made aware of who holds this position. Additionally, staff must know where the emergency exits are and how to safely leave the building in the event of a fire.

The fire marshal is also tasked with safely evacuating customers. They should take attendance once everyone is in the designated fire meeting point while they wait for the emergency services to arrive.

The London Fire Brigade has provided some useful information about what should be included in your fire safety plan. To take a look at this, click here.

Provide thorough safety training to staff

This is one of the most important measures you can employ to reduce the likelihood of fires. Conduct regular health and safety training with your employees, as this can help save lives. Training can include:

• How to use fire extinguishers
• What the evacuation plan is
• Who the appointed fire marshal is
• How to safely exit the building

Be sure to keep a record of what training has been undertaken and who took part, as this will assist you in keeping up-to-date with your safety responsibilities. 

If any of your team are tasked with handling hazardous substances in the workplaces, this will require additional training. Any flammable substances must be stored securely to prevent accidents taking place. 

Carrying out regular training can increase productivity in the workforce, as people are more likely to feel safe and relaxed at work when they know how to act if an emergency situation arises. It will also mean they respect you as an employer for making their well-being a priority.

Consistently clean the area

Keeping to a good cleaning routine is an effective way of preventing a fire in your restaurant, as it stops a build-up of grease and other fire hazards. Be astute with the clean, making sure hard-to-reach areas, such as the vent hood system.

All waste in the kitchen must be disposed of consistently, and kept away from open flames. There should be a designated space for waste to be stored that is away from the kitchen. 

As well as keeping the space hygienic, clutter can present a problem when it blocks exits. This could mean the difference between life and death during a fire, so ensure that entry ways are always kept free of objects and waste. 

On top of your daily cleaning routine, undertake a deep clean of the kitchen regularly too. At ICE Cleaning, we can help you with this. We have years of experience in commercial kitchen cleaning, and follow strict safety regulations to protect everyone's health while on site.

Be cautious of electrical hazards

In a kitchen environment, electrical hazards are numerous. It is important that you carry out regular checks of all equipment powered by electricity in your kitchen for any signs of wear or tear. Throughout the year, a professional electrician should be hired to conduct checks and provide maintenance.

When using appliances in the cooking area, make sure not to place them near any open flames. Additionally, don't plug too many devices into a single electrical outlet, as this may also create a fire risk. 

It is crucial that staff understand not to leave loose wires hanging around the kitchen, and put away any small appliances securely when not in use. 

Should you suffer any fire damage in your kitchen, let us know and we can help. Our team are based nationwide and have the expertise to deal with the dangers of fire damage cleaning. Call us today to find out more.

Invest in an effective fire suppression system

Having an effective fire suppression system is vital in any workplace or domestic property. This can alert you to a fire in its early stages, giving you as much notice as possible to evacuate the premises.

A fire suppression system can include smoke alarms and sprinklers. This can help stop a fire in its tracks before it causes significant damage. 

As noted above, a professional should regularly inspect these systems for any faults. Though installing them maybe expensive, it can save you greatly on more extensive damage that could have occurred if your kitchen wasn't equipped with one.

Our smoke odour removal service

If smoke odours linger within a building, then the health of those in the vicinity could be threatened. Third-hand smoke can cause symptoms including breathing difficulties and skin irritation, so it is best to call in the professionals to help you eradicate the problem. 

In an article, the Mayo Clinic detail the concerns surrounding third-hand smoke, and explore in greater detail its impact on our health. It is worth being aware of these dangers when you have loved ones or pets in the home.

At ICE Cleaning, we use advanced solutions and technologies to carry out odour neutralisation in properties. We will work hard to return your site to a safe and hygienic condition, and never leave the site unless you're happy with the work that has been carried out.

Our services can also be booked at a time that fits your schedule, even through the night if required. This can help you reduce downtime if you run a busy establishment, helping you get back up and running quicker. Just discuss your wishes with the team when you call us.

We're ready to help

Should you find a lingering odour from a fire in your restaurant, book your odour removal with our friendly team today on 0208 066 0360 or enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk. We will respond to your query as soon as we can!