If you are the owner or manager of a restaurant, then the safety of your customers and employees sits in your hands. Fire safety is essential for restaurants, and it has been noted that most restaurant fires start in the kitchen, which means you need to take protective measures to prevent fire outbreaks, whether in the kitchen or the dining space of the restaurant. To ensure fire safety in London, especially in restaurants where preventing a fire emergency is mandatory, we have written this blog which will help you identify the causes and also offer tips on how to prevent a fire outbreak.

The Most Common Causes of Restaurant Fire Outbreaks

Kitchen

This area does not come as a surprise. It’s a high-risk zone, and you might be surprised to learn that fire outbreaks are usually caused in kitchens due to inadequate maintenance of the appliances in the kitchen. The buildup of oil and grease is not only unhygienic, but it can lead to a serious fire outbreak. Appliances in the kitchen, like grills, ovens, and deep-fat fryers, are often found in small places and can develop a dangerous amount of grease buildup. This can pose a serious fire threat. It’s important to give the nooks and crannies of the kitchen a deep clean regularly to avoid grease buildup and any fires as a result.

Restaurant Equipment

In some cuisines, customers personally use tableside equipment like BBQs and grills. While this might be the USP of your restaurant, the use of propane gas is a significant risk factor. If such pieces of equipment are left to the customer without any supervision, it can lead to a fire emergency. That’s why you should always train your staff to supervise customers who are using the restaurant’s heating equipment.

Dining Space Decoration

While the aesthetics of the restaurant are important, so is safety. Items like lanterns and candles might look great, but do not place them on top of wooden furniture or tablecloths, as if left unattended, they might catch fire!

Open Restaurant Kitchens

In this kind of kitchen space, the kitchen area is visible from the customer’s dining space. In recent years, this kind of decor has been extremely popular, as customers find it appealing to watch their food being prepared.

However, the absence of fire doors or walls means that in the event of an emergency, there is nothing to protect the customers from a kitchen fire. Not only does this endanger guests by lowering the amount of time they have to flee the restaurant, but it also increases the chance of structural damage because fires are not as well controlled.

Faulty Electrical Wiring

Restaurants contain a lot of appliances and equipment, and this presents numerous risks if they are not checked regularly. It is important to check if there is any old or faulty wiring that needs repair. Especially if the restaurant is based in an old building, there are chances that old wires can struggle with the power voltage that is required to power modern electrical appliances.

Tips To Prevent Restaurant Fires

Now that you are aware of the importance of fire safety requirements in London restaurants, it is important to keep a watchful eye on fire safety tips that will help prevent a fire at the restaurant.

Know The Basics

We are sure that you have already taken some measures to prevent a fire outbreak in your restaurant. However, we must repeat numerous times, in case you miss out on some mandatory protocols. Firstly, fire alarm detectors are a must for restaurants. During emergencies, every second is vital, and with automated fire alarm systems, you can alert the staff and customers early, giving them the vital time needed to evacuate. If there are fire doors, then ensure they are closed, as it takes seconds for a fire to get out of hand.

Make a fire safety checklist in London to make sure you have all precautions in place, as missing out on something can be detrimental.

Fire Alarm Maintenance Is Non Negotaible

Well, you might have all the necessary fire safety equipment in place, but is it working? Fire alarm maintenance is necessary, as it’s of no use if the smoke detectors are not working or the batteries have run out. Moreover, you need to make sure that the fire extinguishers are positioned in the right places and are reachable when you need them the most. The staff should not be running through several rooms to reach the fire extinguisher when the fire is blazing in the kitchen.

Regular Maintenance

You need to ensure a clean kitchen space and that all the equipment in your kitchen is safe to use. This can be done by having all the kitchen appliances and equipment checked on a regular basis. Make sure to also look out for damaged and worn wires that might cause a spark.

Maintenance needs to be kept up-to-date to ensure complete fire safety in restaurants. Regular maintenance and testing can save lives and property. So, instead of getting the appliances and fire alarm detectors checked once in a blue moon, ensure the maintenance is regular and conducted by professionals.

At IQ Fire Solutions, we have a long-standing team of qualified and experienced engineers who have the skill set to handle fire alarm maintenance and servicing and ensure your fire alarm detectors in London are all up-to-date and working in the best condition. While we can take over the service and maintenance work virtually, we also attend to emergency call-outs whenever necessary.

IQ Fire Solutions: Fire Safety in London Now in Safe Hands

Whether you are looking for regular fire servicing or fire alarm detector installation in London, fire alarm monitoring, installation of fire extinguishers, or a general fire risk assessment, IQ Fire Solutions can offer you the perfect solution. With over 20 years of industry experience, our services are BAFE accredited, as we provide tailored solutions to address potential issues, ensuring your peace of mind.