Smoke Detector Alarms and Fire Safety Plans

Fire safety and installing smoke detector alarms is one of those things that people seem to ignore most of the time. How bad can it be? Well, if you ask those who have experienced being in a fire, it can be the difference between life and death.

Nowadays every building is required to have a smoke alarm system installed, especially in the case of a restaurant, since public safety is involved, we must take fire safety much more seriously.

There are many different types of smoke alarms and fire safety equipment to choose from. This variety can be a bit overwhelming to lots of folks who don’t have experience in this topic.

In this blog, we want to discuss all there is to say about fire & safety, types of fire alarm systems, and what NOT to do in case of a fire. 

If you want advice on fire safety and are a restaurant owner in Colorado or Utah,
don’t hesitate to call (800) 750-7313 for a free quote

Types of Smoke Detector Alarms 

Let’s start with the first line of our fire defense, smoke alarms. Fire gets stronger and more dangerous each second it is ignored. Applying a reliable smoke and carbon monoxide detector system can be a great investment.

Preventing a disaster can be much cheaper than restoration afterward. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors give you a head start in case of a fire. So you can evacuate before everything gets out of control.

• Ionization Smoke Alarm

This type of smoke alarm system is more reactive to flames. Utilizing two plates along with a bit of radioactive material in between, ionizes the air which creates an electricity current to flow between the two plates. Smoke disrupts the outflow of ions and activates the alarm. 

• Photoelectric Smoke Alarm

Much similar to ionization smoke alarms, this type uses a beam of light that is reflected to the sensor. When smoke enters the system, it causes the light to get scattered which triggers the smoke alarm chirps. Responding well to smoke produced by smoldering fire, it can be triggered well before a fire starts.

• Ionization/Photoelectric (Multi-sensor) Alarms 

This modern type uses both factors of electricity and light to detect a fire. Your local fire marshal will tell you that this is the safest way to ensure the full safety of a building against fire. However, we don’t recommend using it in the kitchen, there are instances of false fire alarm chirps due to its high sensitivity. 

The question you might be asking is “Which one suits me and my business?”. Most of the time it is recommended to use different smoke detector alarms in different areas.

Different types of smoke detectors offer different benefits. Just like an extinguisher which has different types for different fires. Naturally, using both types in different parts of your building can offer extra protection against different kinds of fire. 

Since the ionization alarm is more responsive to flames and the photoelectric alarm to smoldering fire, we can use that as a criterion for installing each one in its right place in the building.

Fire Safety Measures

The reason we mentioned smoke alarms first is because the majority of people do not know that it is the smoke that causes most of the problems in a fire. It can take a while for the heat to grow, so meanwhile, a first alert smoke alarm can help you evacuate or deal with the fire before it is too late.

Possible Fire Hazards

Before installing any fire safety measures in your business, you must first realize what is the source of the threat. In a restaurant, kitchen appliances are responsible for 25% of the fires. The cooker can cause 23% of incidents and 17% are electrical 

Each of these fire hazards requires a specific way to counter. Using a kitchen fire extinguisher or a fire blanket can be the next line of defense against fire after the smoke detectors.

Before all of this hassle, however, it is much more recommended to prevent the fire. Checking the appliances, cookers, and electrical wiring regularly, is a great step to make sure you don’t have to deal with fire hazards. 

However, you need to understand what kind of fire you are dealing with and the type of fire extinguisher you need. We suggest reading our blog about types of fire extinguishers for more information.  

Different Alarm Systems

We can’t limit alarm systems to smoke detector alarms. There are many instances where you would need a detection system that does not just rely on smoke. Here are various types of alarms that can provide extra safety alongside smoke detectors. 

Heat Detectors 

Installing a smoke detector in certain areas is not always recommended. Attics, basements, garages, and generally, rooms with high dust build-up can trigger a false alarm in smoke detectors. Chemical storage rooms are also very heat-sensitive areas that do not necessarily need a fire to cause a disaster. Heat detectors have two varieties. 

• Fixed Threshold Detection         

This model usually has a trigger point when the temperature of the environment passes 136.4°F (58°C). It is very ideal for kitchens and all places in which the temperature can rise rapidly because of all the equipment such as ovens and cookers in use.

• Rate of Rise Detection 

Because of thermal lag (delay in temperature measurement), some industries that produce highly flammable chemicals use this type of alarm system. It measures sudden temperature changes and if it starts to go up too high too fast, it triggers the alarm. It is ideal for storages that hold heat-sensitive materials. But it is not so ideal for a kitchen, where the temperature can rise very quickly. 

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

In addition to heat and smoke detector alarms, you will also need a carbon monoxide detector. Public safety is one of the key considerations of any restaurant and where there is gas, there is carbon monoxide. A small leak left ignored can cause irreversible damage to assets and lives, which is why it is important to consider the installation of carbon monoxide detectors as well. 

If you are a restaurant owner in Utah or Colorado,  call800-750-7313for professional advice about the best equipment suited for you.

“If you are a restaurant owner in Utah or Colorado,

 call 555 for professional advice about the best equipment suited for you.”

Common Reasons for Restaurant Fire 

The hassle of keeping a business up is so much that people often forget to consider the safety of their facility and the lives of their customers. In this part, we want to mention the common causes of restaurant fires and what you need to do to solve these problems. 

• Equipment

Checking the grease buildup is not only necessary for hygienic reasons. Grease and oil are flammable and they are one of the reasons why cooking equipment is the top cause of fires in restaurants. 

Aside from cookers and ovens, there is a myth that we all believe smoke detector alarms will always inform us before a fire erupts. Know that even the best smoke, heat, and other detection systems might fail to perform when in top condition.

Performing regular maintenance ensures maximum performance. This is essential to make sure you are providing a safe environment for your staff and customers, and to remain up to date with fire & safety standards. 

• Unreliable wiring and electrical equipment

When people think of fire, they are reminded of gas and flammable liquids, but in reality, one of the most common causes of fires in kitchens and restaurants is electricity. 

Many appliances rely on electricity and they are always connected to a power source and use a lot of power. As time goes by, the wiring, the outlet, and the equipment start to wear. This causes the electricity to generate heat and eventually a fire. 

Regular checking and maintenance is the most important step in preventing these types of incidents. Kitchens can sometimes be a messy and wet environment so be sure to cover the outlets if possible.

• Decoration

Creating the best atmosphere for customers is always a top priority for every restaurant owner. scented candles and different lighting create the mood of your dining area. However, they should not come at the cost of fire safety. 

Don’t overdo when it comes to decoration. Keeping it minimal is always the best option, both in the sense of appearance and practicality. You don’t want the waiter to accidentally set the place on fire while reaching for the menu next to the candle. 

Generally, regular maintenance and cleaning of the grease and oil build-up is enough to significantly reduce the threat of a fire hazard. Follow your local fire marshal’s advice and make sure to train your staff and fully prepare them for a fire threat. 

Evacuation in Emergencies

In this section, we want to discuss different safety measures in emergencies. It is important to know that all safety equipment is there to help us prevent disaster, but at the end of the day, they are still machines and might malfunction.

In these situations, a plan B. An escape scenario is crucial to save lives and assets.

• Time is Limited

The most important aspect of a fire hazard is ensuring everyone can make it out. It is not the flame that takes lives but the smoke. It can fill up your place in about 5 minutes since you hear smoke detector alarms. Make sure everyone is out by then. 

• Appoint Roles

More often than not, panicking has proven to be deadlier than the flames itself. It is very important to train your staff to be aware of these situations. They must know their role in this scenario and each performs their assigned tasks perfectly to minimize losses. 

• Use The Stairs

It is hard to trust an elevator on a normal day. In a fire hazard, please steer clear of any cabins hanging by a few cables and use the stairs. The elevator depends on lots of factors to work and all of those factors require electricity, which is not the most trustable element in a hazard. 

• Beware of People with Disabilities 

One of the reasons to have a PEEP (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan), is to make sure some employees take care of those with disabilities and try to evacuate them as soon as possible. It is also essential to provide special stairs facilities to minimize the risk of injury. 

• Call 911

It is essential to contact 911 as soon as possible. The one thing that people underestimate is the speed at which fire grows. In a restaurant, most of the equipment in your kitchen connects to a gas source. It doesn’t take long for fire to destroy everything. 

• Stay Away from The Building

Do not try to recover or save anything once you are out of the building. Follow the instructions from fire department personnel and try to stay calm. Your life is worth more than whatever is in the building. 

Following these basic steps, using common sense, and remaining calm are the keys to a successful evacuation plan that minimizes the risk to both assets and lives. Remember to prioritize the safety of your customers and employees and know that preventing disaster is far easier than managing it. 

Remember the top priority which is staff training. Everyone must know how to use an extinguisher and be aware of fire safety rules. Have a fireproof safe to make sure your valuables remain safe in a fire hazard which also relieves a lot of stress in a fire. 

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Fire Safety Services in Utah and Colorado

There is no doubt that the installation of reliable smoke detector alarms and other types of fire safety equipment is a must for every business, especially a restaurant. It is also important to perform regular maintenance and services to make sure your alarm system is functional and ready for the worst-case scenario.

We can’t limit the maintenance to the safety equipment and must make sure that we regularly tend to the equipment inside the kitchen. Even regular fire extinguisher services and cleaning can sometimes save lives.

It is always best to remove the source of the problem instead of finding ways to deal with it. Regular maintenance saves you the hassle of finding ways to deal with the fire and finding fire restoration services. 

Last but not least, always make sure you are always following the latest standards of the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association).  Stay updated with the latest training drills and routines, to ensure maximum efficiency in an emergency.