Restaurant Fire Safety: Create Your Kitchen Safety Plan

How would your kitchen staff handle a fire in your restaurant? If you are unsure of the answer to this question, consider this your wake-up call. Most restaurant-related fires start in the kitchen, and your staff and clientele rely on you to have a kitchen safety plan now, before you need it, to keep everyone safe. 
Check Your Emergency Facilities
Before you begin creating your kitchen safety plan for restaurant fire safety, it is a good idea to check the status of your emergency facilities. Fire protection systems are crucial in the event of an emergency. Take inventory and see what needs replacing or is scheduled for maintenance. 
Test Your Emergency Doors
Emergency doors must open in the direction of escape. Sliding and revolving doors can be additional exits, but there must be marked exit doors that follow these guidelines and remain unlocked during hours of operation. Be sure that you check them over and test their functionality. What good is your plan if a malfunctioning door creates a barrier for escape?
Examine Exhaust Fans
Your business relies on a properly functioning kitchen exhaust fan. If you do not have a consistent kitchen exhaust system inspection, you put your employees and guests at risk. The kitchen can be a dangerous part of a restaurant, and many different emergencies can happen in just this one room. Preparing for fire safety includes training staff, testing your facilities, and creating a safety plan to ensure you are ready for any fire emergency.
The kitchen can be a dangerous part of a restaurant, and many different emergencies can happen in just this one room. Preparing for fire safety includes training staff, testing your facilities, and creating a safety plan to ensure you are ready for any fire emergency.
Create a Plan
Decide how to exit and where to meet outside. Establish a point of contact and a system for accounting for each employee. Ensure that you post a summary of this information and all emergency numbers so everyone on the kitchen staff can easily access them. Create an evacuation plan, but don’t just stop there; create plans for multiple scenarios, including robbery, fights, or natural disasters. Once you’ve created your kitchen safety plan for fire safety, practice it with your staff regularly.