A Guide to Restaurant Fire Safety (Infographic)

As the owner or manager of a restaurant, the last thing you want is a bad reputation due to poor safety. Fire can devastate many businesses, but none more so than those in the restaurant industry, so don’t risk the safety of your patrons or the future of your livelihood.

Restaurant Fire Statistics

Did you know that according to British Approval for Fire Equipment (BAFE) in 2019:

• 42% of all fires within the food and drink industry come from restaurants.
• Restaurants and cafes experienced fires mostly between midnight and 6am — that’s 35% of all fires, with evening trade (6pm-midnight) the second most common time.
• Fires in restaurants alone accounted for almost 10% of all large loss fires.

Common Causes of Restaurant Fires

According to the London Fire Brigade, the three biggest culprits for fires in restaurants and takeaways are: 

1. 25% Kitchen Appliances
2. 23% Cookers
3. 17% Electrical Distribution 

Here are some of the other common causes of fire in food businesses:

• Grease and oil build-up – Allowing grease and oil to accumulate provides fuel for fires and blocks ventilation. 
• Storage and rubbish – Another form of fuel for fires, both accidental and for potential arsonists to exploit, these issues also impact evacuation routes. 
• Dirty ducting – Fires can easily start in ducting that has become clogged with dirt and dust. 
• Tumble dryers – If you clean and dry a lot of linen yourself, you’ll need to maintain and clean your tumble dryers to avoid overheating and fires. 
• Electrical fires – From aforementioned appliances to lighting placed too close to flammable materials, any electrics need regular checks and maintenance. 
• Poor cooking technique – Overheating food and cooking using the wrong equipment can easily lead to fires breaking out.

Reducing The Risk

Here are six tips for minimising the risk of fire in your restaurant:

1. Maintain and service all cooking equipment and appliances with a qualified contractor
2. Store your flammable materials away from heat sources and electrical items
3. Don’t leave appliances or any pans unattended while they’re cooking
4. Keep your kitchen – including all cooking equipment – professionally clean
5. Keep fire extinguishers accessible and in full working condition
6. Make sure your staff know how to use the right extinguisher correctly through training

How Fire Safety Equipment Can Help

As well as minimising risk, you can provide proper fire safety equipment to help keep people safe, including:

• Fire safety signage – this will help customers and staff find exits as well as any necessary fire-fighting equipment such as blankets and extinguishers. 
• Wet chemical fire extinguishers – this extinguisher type is the only one you can use on cooking fat/oil fires as it coats the ignited fuel to extinguish rather than splashing it. 
• Fire blankets – these are ideal for small pan fires and waste bin fires, as well as for smothering anyone whose clothes may have caught fire.

Find vital fire safety supplies on the Fire Safety Equipment website today and get free delivery to help keep your restaurant, staff and customers safe.