One minute you’re running the day-to-day operations of your fast food operation. The next minute your kitchens up in flames.
How did it get to this point?
In this guide, we’ll teach the dangers of kitchen fires and how to prevent them from possibly ruining your business.
Grease Fires In The Kitchen
Grease fires can lead up from carelessness and complacency; a clean kitchen is less at risk than an unclean one. One common mistake is to put out a grease fire with water. Do not do this under any circumstance. Water repels grease, which spreads the flame further out.
The video below which shows a demonstration in a controlled outdoor environment demonstrates how even a small amount of water on a grease fire turns a small flame into a towering inferno. See how far it shoots up, now imagine this was indoors.
For a smaller flame, having the right fire extinguisher on hand will do a better job than hitting it with a wet towel or dumping a few dashes of baking soda. Wet chemical fire extinguishers are the best types to use against a cooking oil/grease fire.
How To Put Out A Grease Fire
Wet Chemical extinguishers are specifically designed to fight ‘Type F’ fires, usually involving cooking oil and fat, using a method called saponification, This rapidly converts a burning substance to a non-combustible soap.
As an employer, you’re responsible for fire safety, ensure you’ve put in place appropriate fire safety measures. The wet chemical fire extinguisher we sell come equipped with one year warranty and a wall bracket, keep it safe nearby.
Already own the right extinguisher?
As a forward thinking employer, it’s great that you’ve addressed your fire safety concerns, though we are only human and some tasks can be quickly forgotten and left by the wayside.
For instance, Fire extinguisher testing. Are you aware that servicing should be carried out annually?
Even if you had to use it briefly, extinguishers should be refilled/serviced by a competent person/company to make sure they will work in case of a crisis.
Otherwise, your staff and customers could be at risk. Take the video below where a grease fire starts and just when they bring out the fire extinguisher it…
At Direct365, we’re fully accredited and keep up-to-date with UK legislation to ensure you’re compliant. Additionally, our engineers are qualified to test all extinguisher types and do minor repairs on visits. That way you can be safe in the knowledge if a fire needs extinguishing, you’re ready.
For a quick, reliable test, get in touch for a no obligation free quote today.
Massive fires aren’t as easy; the best way to combat them is through early prevention. That’s why we’ve launched our commercial kitchen duct cleaning service for businesses like yourselves.
Preventing Grease Fires Early
Cooking appliances are one of the leading causes of commercial fires. Many respectable fast food businesses are regularly cleaning for hygiene and good working standards, some areas that need it the most aren’t as easily accessed.
On this issue, DIrect365 Managing director Kathryn Skinner said in a recent businesses article:
“Kitchen areas are subject to strict regulation as it is an environment that presents a number of fire hazards. Some of the dangers are not easy to spot, particularly in kitchen ductwork so it’s important they are regularly cleaned as a build-up of grease and grime only needs a low ignition point before catching fire. This area is also subject to the same hygiene requirements and issues with accessing ductwork means it’s not cleaned as easily as other kitchen surfaces and appliances.”
Our duct cleaning is up to par with TR19 regulations, governing the best practice for kitchen extract systems, maintaining and minimising risks of fire associated with grease build-up.
The service doesn’t just end with cleaning, with our extensive specialist knowledge, we can suitably advise you on how often cleaning needs to take place based on your level of usage.
Think about it, do you know the last time those ducts were looked at, nevertheless cleaned?
Protect your staff, customers and business through a good, proper, thorough clean. Get an instant free quote today.