Owning a restaurant comes with a lot of responsibilities, and protecting your employees and customers from fires should be at the top of your to-do list. While it may seem like the obvious thing to do, many restaurants are not prepared for fires and do not have comprehensive fire protection systems to prevent catastrophes.
Fires in dining establishments cause an average of $246 million in direct property damage every single year, and you can lose everything you’ve worked so hard for in just a few minutes. Restaurant fire suppression systems can activate as soon as flames erupt and prevent the fire from spreading. As a restaurant owner, it is up to you to make sure these systems are present and working at all times. Here is a quick breakdown of why it’s so important for restaurateurs to invest in commercial fire protection:
- Restaurant equipment is highly-flammable. This may go without saying, but you’d be surprised at how many restaurateurs overlook proper fire protection for the sake of money. A restaurant fire suppression system is not something to cut corners on, and just about everything in your kitchen can cause a massive blaze. Deep fryers (9%), ranges (7%), and miscellaneous kitchen and cooking equipment (5%) are the leading types of equipment involved in nonconfined restaurant building fires. Disaster can strike at any moment, and you need to be prepared for if and when it does.
- Kitchen fire suppression systems work. Several statistics show that you are far less likely to suffer fire damage when you obtain commercial fire protection. A study of more than 2,000 fire incidents revealed that portable fire extinguishers had successfully extinguished more than 80% of those fires. Additionally, having a complete fire suppression system throughout the restaurant will further enhance your fire protection.
- Inspections are crucial. As an added tip to protect your restaurant, you need to schedule routine inspections to ensure your suppression system is working properly. In commercial kitchens, automatic extinguishing systems should be inspected and serviced every six months by a qualified contractor. Inspecting your fire suppression system on a regular basis will ensure that it is ready to protect your business at a moment’s notice.
No restaurant owner can afford not to have a comprehensive fire protection system, and you need to invest in one before it’s too late. Your customers and employees depend on you protecting them, and a commercial fire suppression system could be the best investment you ever make.