Restaurant Insurances – such as Commercial Property Insurance and Business Liability Insurance – helps repair damage caused by a kitchen fire and get your business up and running again.
But, there’s no denying that a fire will have a negative impact on your business – possible interruption of business, injuries, brand reputation, etc. Therefore, doing what you can to prevent kitchen fires is key to a restaurant’s success.
“U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 7,410 structure fires per year in eating and drinking establishments between 2010 and 2014,” according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). “These fires caused average annual losses of three civilian deaths, 110 civilian injuries, and $165 million in direct property damage each year.”
Don’t become a statistic. Follow these five tips to minimize your risk of a kitchen fire in your restaurant:
Provide Proper Training
We understand the restaurant industry has a high employee turnover rate, so it’s tempting to skimp on training. However, to minimize the risk of a fire, all kitchen staff should be trained on fire prevention, how to quickly extinguish different types of fires – including grease fires, and your restaurant’s evacuation plan in the event of a fire.
Minimize Grease and Grease Buildup
NFPA reports that a failure to clean was a factor in 22% of fires in eating and drinking establishments. All kitchen surfaces should be regularly cleaned, with particular attention paid to grease and grease buildup. Grease is a combustible energy source and can make a fire spread more quickly. Exhaust hoods, duct systems, and ventilation systems are prone to grease buildup; however, grease can also buildup on walls, floors, and other surfaces.
Maintain Equipment
According to NFPA, cooking equipment is the leading cause of structure fires in eating and drinking establishments – accounting for three out of five fires (61%) and 38% of direct property damage. All kitchen equipment should be regularly maintained and inspected, so they are in good working order.
Provide Fire Extinguishers and Install Fire Sprinkler Systems
A small fire that is quickly contained will cost you less than a fire that has spread. Your restaurant should have at least one Class K fire extinguisher, which is explicitly made for grease fires. Extinguishers should be regularly inspected, and kitchen staff should be adequately trained on how to use them to extinguish a fire.
Your kitchen’s automatic sprinkler system should be your last line of defense since this type of system will only be activated for larger fires. However, NAFP reports, “in eating or drinking establishments, direct property damage per reported fire was 75% lower when wet pipe sprinklers were present, compared to fires with no automatic extinguishing equipment present.”
Fire sprinkler systems should be regularly tested, inspected, and maintained to ensure they are functional and up to code.
Prevent Electrical Fires
Only 9% of structure fires in restaurants were caused by electrical distribution and lighting equipment; however, wiring, lighting, electrical cords, etc. accounted for 21% of direct property damage, according to NFPA. All of the electrical appliances used in a kitchen can overload an inadequate electrical system and cords can fray or melt.
To prevent electrical fires, don’t overload outlets or circuits. Inspect electrical outlets and cords regularly and replace damaged electrical outlets or cords. Also, keep combustibles away from electrical equipment and encourage kitchen staff to report any potential electrical hazards they notice immediately.
The Right Restaurant Insurance Can Help!
If a fire does occur in your restaurant kitchen, the right insurance can help get you back on your feet. American Insuring Group specializes in Restaurant Insurance and can make sure you have the right coverage at the lowest price. We're independent agents who shop the market, so you get quality protection at the best price. Give us a call today at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848, or connect with us online for a free estimate.
