Restaurant owners have to juggle a wide range of compliance requirements, with fire safety being one of the most important in order to keep diners and staff safe. 

But what fire safety equipment do you need if you own a restaurant? That’s what we’re covering this month at Fire Safety Equipment, helping you understand the common risks and the things you need as standard to detect and fight fire.

Common fire risks in restaurants

Four of the most common fire risks in restaurants include:

1. Kitchen appliances and open flames. A high-temperature environment that includes ovens, hobs and other equipment increases the likelihood of fires.
2. Flammable liquids. Kitchens and storage areas are home to cooking oils and other flammable substances that can ignite when not handled or stored correctly.
3. Electrical hazards. Faulty wiring in your restaurant or malfunctioning electrical equipment can be the cause of an electrical fire.
4. Poor housekeeping. If you let grease, clutter and waste accumulate in your restaurant, this can act as fuel for any fire.

Fire safety equipment for restaurants

With the many fire hazards in different areas of your restaurant, there are several categories of fire safety equipment to consider: detection for early warnings, fire fighting to put out small fires before they spread, and items that aid in a swift, safe evacuation of your premises.

Detection equipment

• Fire alarms – Providing coverage of your restaurant – including the kitchen, front of house, office and storage rooms – to alert you of a fire. This gives you time to evacuate, tackle small fires and contact the authorities for the best chance of stopping the fire.
• Fire suppression systems – Automatic fire extinguishers and suppression systems are vital in kitchens where fires can happen unexpectedly and require an instant response to prevent disaster.

Fire fighting equipment

• Fire extinguishers – These are essential for tackling small fires, with different class types to extinguish different fuel types. For example, kitchens require Class F extinguishers – wet chemical units – to safely use on cooking oil fires. Meanwhile, a CO2 extinguisher is ideal for electrical fires and general water extinguishers help to extinguish organic solids found front of house.
• Fire blankets – A fire blanket can be used to smother and extinguish a small fire in a restaurant or kitchen. You can learn more about how they work in our previous post here.
• Sprinklers – Sprinkler systems can be installed in your restaurant, triggering when there is a fire. This can extinguish flames and soak surrounding areas to prevent them from spreading.
• Fire buckets – Having a fire bucket around for any flammable liquid spills can be handy for kitchens. A special absorbent material can be spread to remove any risk.

Evacuation equipment

• Exit signage – Pointing staff and guests in the right direction during an evacuation is crucial for keeping people calm and safe, which is why exit signage is a must-have.
• Emergency lighting – Triggering in the event of a power failure, emergency lighting can guide people safely out of the building.

Further safety measures

As well as all of the above, there are several other measures you can take to ensure the safety of your restaurant. The following can not only help to prevent fires, but could be the difference between handling a fire safely, keeping you in business, and total devastation:

• Fire safety training for staff
• Regular fire inspections and maintenance of equipment
• Fire warden equipment
• Fire log books
• Fire risk assessments

Fire regulations for restaurants stipulate that you provide adequate protection and equipment, and the same applies to any business. To keep your restaurant compliant and protect lives, browse our fire safety equipment for restaurants and kitchens. Order online today for fast, free delivery on all orders in Mainland UK.