Why Fire Protection is Critical for Commercial Kitchens and Restaurants
Restaurant fires happen every year. Improper use of cooking equipment and appliances is the main reason for the majority of these fires. Whether it is a restaurant, commercial kitchen, cafeteria or a dining center, it is crucial to implement highly effective fire prevention strategies. Proper fire protection will ensure your employees and guests remain safe and comfortable. When it comes to mitigating the risk of restaurant and kitchen fires, there are two things you should focus on: adhering to the safety codes and following proper cleaning procedures. Most of all, you should consult with seasoned professionals to install the right type of restaurant fire protection and maintain these systems in a timely manner.
Let us find out why it is so critical to outfit your restaurants and cooking facilities with a robust fire protection system. In this article, we’ll discuss that as well as many other valuable things associated with it.
Introduction
Fire safety and prevention is extremely important for all kinds of restaurants, cooking facilities and commercial kitchens. Heat, smoke and grease produced in large kitchens increase the chances of fire. So, the purpose of fire protection systems is to reduce the risk of fire and prevent accidents. Modern fire safety systems are highly effective and sensitive and are designed to extinguish any kind of kitchen fire in the initial stage at the source itself, so that it does not get a chance to turn into a dangerous fire and spread to other areas of a restaurant.
In order to prevent restaurant fires, the first thing that should be done is the installation of a fire suppression system, which can be of various types. You need to choose a fire protection system that is an ideal match for the day-to-day needs of your commercial kitchen and the restaurant.
The Risk of Fire in Commercial Kitchens and Restaurants
According to data published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), around 7000 cases of restaurant fires happen annually. Fires in dining and drinking establishments tend to be disastrous and they can cause a lot of damage to property and lives, if not controlled in time. For proper fire protection, it is essential to install commercial kitchen fire suppression systems with the help of expertly trained and experienced professionals.
Fire in large kitchens and dining facilities cause civilian injuries, direct property damage and at least a couple of deaths in many cases. That is why kitchen fires are considered to be one of the most horrible fires.
A restaurant has all kinds of equipment and ingredients for the origin of a fire and for the fire to spread rapidly:
- Hot cooking equipment
- Open flames
- Several electrical connections
- Heated cooking oils
- Flammable cleaning liquids
With the presence of all these, the restaurant becomes a vulnerable place where fire can get out of control quite fast. If fire is not controlled and contained before it becomes worse, there can be a fire emergency. To mitigate these risks, every restaurant owner needs to invest in and install the right type of fire suppression system with the help of reliable and experienced fire protection companies. If you are in Denver, CO, you should reach out to Nationwide Fire Protection (NFP), a trusted specialist in fire safety inspections and fire protection services.
By installing a restaurant fire protection system, you will provide your kitchen workers and guests a safe environment. Plus, you will remain code-compliant and will be able to run your business in a smooth manner.
Regulations and Standards for Fire Protection in Commercial Kitchens and Restaurants
To mitigate the risk of fire, it is important to focus on kitchen safety and follow general fire safety guidelines as well, including the dining areas. No matter what type or size of restaurant or commercial kitchen you plan to set up, you need to adhere to a set of regulatory standards, both local and national. The NFPA has outlined some specific safety and building codes that must be followed in a strict manner, when operating a commercial kitchen or restaurant.
Fire Suppression Systems
Most of the kitchen fires originate from cooking equipment. When it comes to creating fire safety in a restaurant, a fire suppression system is what you need to build a strong base to mitigate the risk of fire. These fire protection systems are designed to operate in an automatic manner as soon as excessive temperature or flame is detected. These systems and units are required for all those kitchen equipment and appliances that can cause fire. Wet chemical fire suppression system is mostly installed in restaurants and large cooking facilities.
Installation of the right type of fire suppression systems helps you stay compliant with the local and national safety codes. Non-compliant with the codes not only poses risks of damage, but it can also create legal tangles and complications, which can also lead to the closure of the business. Therefore, it is extremely important to install fire safety systems and adhere to codes.
There are various types of fire suppression systems for installation in commercial kitchens, cafeterias, and food preparation establishments. If you are a restaurant owner or manager, you should reach out to one of our professionals at NFP in Denver, CO, to find out more on fire code compliance.
Ventilation System
For commercial kitchens, vent hood systems are designed in a way to work together with the fire suppression system. Exhaust hoods and ductwork are installed above the cooking equipment. The fire suppression systems are installed inside these range hoods or exhaust hoods.
Portable Fire Extinguishers
As per the NFPA 96 and NFPA 10 regulatory standards, restaurants require portable fire extinguishers to deal with emergency situations. Fire extinguishers are available in a variety of classifications. Before investing in these devices, you should make sure exactly what type of extinguishers you need for your facility. Plus, you will need to give all extinguishers timely inspection and maintenance in order to ensure they are also in proper condition and ready to use.
If you need fire extinguisher installation, talk to one of our experts at NFP for fast and reliable services. As one of the most trusted fire protection contractors, we supply fire extinguishers across Denver, CO.
It is very important to remain fully aware of all the fire safety requirements for owners of restaurants, commercial kitchens, cafeteria, community kitchens, pubs, food preparation establishments, dining facilities etc. The safety codes for these are highly complex and detailed. To understand what all these codes mean and how they relate to your daily operations, you should reach out to one of our specialists to have a discussion to remove your doubts and confusions, if any.
Types of Fire Protection Systems for Commercial Kitchens and Restaurants
Fire protection systems are designed to perform in various ways and control different types of fire. You need to install a fire safety system that is a best match for the kind of commercial establishment you operate. However, all fire suppression systems have one job to fulfill: extinguish fire. If you are a restaurant owner, you should definitely have some knowledge about the various types of fire protection systems that are available for installation in commercial kitchens.
Water-Mist Based Suppression System
One of the most powerful suppression systems for kitchen fires, water-mist protection systems use a technology that converts water into mist and removes oxygen from the air where fire breaks out. The purpose behind using mist, and not water, is that mist provides large coverage. Plus, the use of fine mist doesn’t cause any kind of interruption or damage in the kitchen. As a result, the activities in a commercial kitchen can be restored very fast after the fire has been extinguished. The fire detection technology used by these commercial kitchen fire suppression systems is highly advanced and can control kitchen fires in the initial stage.
Wet Chemical Based Suppression System
This fire suppression system is the most commonly installed system for restaurants and commercial kitchens. Wet chemical here refers to a mixture of 90% water and 10% foam and chemical agents. As soon as the system starts to perform its function, it creates a layer of foam over fire, so that the fire can be contained quickly, before it spreads to other areas and becomes worse. The extinguishing agents used by these systems are biodegradable. The best thing is that the use of the wet chemical-based agent doesn’t cause flooding in the commercial kitchen. There is no collateral damage caused either by the extinguishing agent.
To get further details on the innovative configuration of this fire suppression system, feel free to get in touch with NFP in Denver, CO. Our professionals will answer all your questions about how it works.
Fire Sprinkler Systems
Fire sprinkler systems use an advanced technology to detect ignition or presence of fire and get activated rapidly. Since it functions automatically, there is no requirement for action by the end user. These systems are installed just above the cooking equipment in a commercial kitchen. The good thing about this fire safety system is that it is easy and quick to install and requires only the least amount of maintenance. Also, there is no extra power supply required.
Fire Alarm System
There are multiple types of fire alarm detectors including ionization, photoelectric, heat and combination ionization and photoelectric. Based on your exact needs, you should select the right type of restaurant fire alarms. Key factors for selecting the most ideal fire alarm detectors include the type of commercial facility you have, the size of the property and the day-to-day needs.
If you want to know more about fire suppression systems for large kitchens, restaurants, cafeterias and cooking facilities, feel free to reach out to NFP, which provides expert installation of a wide range of fire protection systems for a wide range of drinking and eating establishments in Denver, CO.
Benefits of Investing in High-Quality Fire Protection Systems
When it comes to restaurant fire safety and fire code compliance, there should never be any compromise on quality. This is about the safety of your kitchen employees, guests and valuable property and assets. You should get in touch with highly experienced and trusted fire protection companies and seek fire code consulting and then invest in top quality fire protection systems.
Top quality and innovative fire suppression systems ensure improved safety for your people and visitors. Setting up a restaurant and commercial kitchen requires ample planning, effort and investment of money. By installing the right type of fire protection system, you will keep your property and assets well-protected. Most importantly, high quality systems will help you stay compliant with all the necessary health, building and safety codes in a proper manner. Therefore, take the time to consult with our experts and get the installation done right.
Selecting the Right Fire Protection System and Provider
Selection of the most-suited fire safety system for your facility requires consultation with a professional. A fire protection specialist will first evaluate the specific needs of your restaurant kitchen and then take all the essential factors into account including the building layout, size of the facility, number of employees, local safety codes and ordinances that affect installation. In many locations, permits and approval from multiple local authorities will be required to carry out the entire installation procedure as per the regulatory standards and guidelines.
One of the most trusted fire protection contractors, we specialize in assessing the exact needs of a restaurant and commercial kitchen. Our expertise in designing, installing and maintaining restaurant fire suppression systems is well-known to commercial facility owners throughout the Denver area.
For fire code consulting services and expert advice on choosing the right fire safety system, get in touch with our office for a detailed assessment of your exact needs and consultation with our specialists.
Still Have Questions?
It doesn’t matter whether you want to install a new fire suppression system or give the existing one in your restaurant an upgrade, you should seek the help of reputable and experienced fire protection companies. If you are in Denver, CO, you should get in touch with Nationwide Fire Protection (NFP) that specializes in fire safety inspections, fire protection services, preventative fire protection services and fire restoration services as well as electrical and electronic services for restaurants. All our services are backed by a guarantee for high quality.
If you have a question or want to schedule an inspection of your fire safety prevention system, reach out to one of our specialists right away. You can give our Denver office a phone call or send us an email.
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