Why Every Commercial Kitchen Needs a Fire Suppression System
It is important to have a comprehensive fire suppression system for commercial kitchens to ensure safety. Running a commercial kitchen comes with a lot of challenges. With hot oils, equipment, and fast-paced cooking appliances, the risk of fire is undeniable. In a commercial kitchen, fire safety should be at the top of the list. Installing an appropriate fire suppression system is vital for commercial kitchens where traditional fire protection methods are insufficient. For instance, grease and oils require specific suppression agents, where conventional fire extinguishers might fail to work. As a restaurant owner, you must know that working in a commercial kitchen can be dangerous. Cooking on a large scale on a daily basis with all the flames, heat, and cooking oils flying around, the chances of fire incidents are high. In this blog, we will highlight the reasons for having a fire suppression system for commercial kitchens.
Understanding Fire Suppression Systems
A fire suppression system of a commercial kitchen is specifically designed to detect, suppress, and prevent fires. There is various fire suppressing equipment that is installed around the kitchen to minimize the risk of fires. Generally, the systems are installed above the cooking range, grills, and fryers where the heat and oil can cause the ignition of fire. The fire suppression system consists of several other components, such as heat detectors, suppressing agents, and control panels. The heat and smoke detectors are installed to detect potential fires. The control panel automatically activates the fire suppression agent when a fire is detected. Typically, in commercial kitchen design, a wet chemical suppressing agent is used to extinguish the fires. The wet chemical agent leaves minimum residue and can effectively and quickly cool down the fire.
Why You Need a Fire Suppression System for Commercial Kitchen?
A fire suppression system in a commercial kitchen helps to detect and extinguish a fire before it spreads to other parts of the building. In case of a fire, the commercial kitchen fire suppression system significantly reduces property damage and safeguards lives.
Employees Safety
The employee’s safety is paramount. The first and most important reason why every commercial kitchen needs a fire suppression system is to protect the people working in it. A fire in a commercial kitchen can get out of control without preventive fire techniques. When a fire breaks out, it can quickly spread around the area, catching electronic equipment and cooking appliances. This further damages the assets of the restaurants and can cause injuries and even death. An effective fire suppression system is thereby necessary to enable people and customers to evacuate safely in case of a fire incident.
Employees Safety
The employee’s safety is paramount. The first and most important reason why every commercial kitchen needs a fire suppression system is to protect the people working in it. A fire in a commercial kitchen can get out of control without preventive fire techniques. When a fire breaks out, it can quickly spread around the area, catching electronic equipment and cooking appliances. This further damages the assets of the restaurants and can cause injuries and even death. An effective fire suppression system is thereby necessary to enable people and customers to evacuate safely in case of a fire incident.
Safeguarding Kitchen Property
A commercial kitchen has lots of expensive equipment and cooking appliances. A single fire incident can ruin your kitchen infrastructure within a second. The cost of damaged equipment and appliances can severely affect your business’s revenues. This additional cost of repairing, maintenance, and insurance premiums can also pose a significant burden on your overall budget.
Lower Insurance Premiums
In addition to preventing fire and protecting lives and property, a robust fire suppression system also lowers your insurance cost. The insurance companies view businesses with fire suppression systems in place as more reliable and secure. They offer reasonable premium rates to companies that have a fire suppression system as the chances of fire are relatively low. You can reduce the premium costs by installing a fire suppression system for your commercial kitchens. This is also a long-term investment and an effective risk management tool for your business. On the other hand, restaurants that still lack an effective fire suppression system may face difficulties in obtaining insurance coverage as they are at high risk of fire.
Important Factors of Commercial Fire Suppression System
The size of the kitchen is one of the most critical aspects when designing a fire suppression system. It is essential to install a fire suppression system that properly covers the size of the area it needs to protect. The system size and kitchen area should be proportional to each other. The layout of the fire suppression system must be appropriate to meet the specific needs of the kitchen and to provide maximum protection.
In addition, when installing a fire suppression system for a commercial kitchen, it is important to hire a reputable fire protection company. A qualified, experienced, and well-trained professional can design a comprehensive kitchen according to your requirements. Installation and maintenance are the two main areas which should be handed over to a reliable firm. The functionality of the system depends on how well it is installed. The fire protection companies are also aware of the upgraded fire codes and regulations. Hence, they can install a fire suppression system as per the regulatory requirements. You can be rest assured that your employees and property are protected against the risk of fire.
In a commercial kitchen, both gas-powered and electrical appliances are used. In every kitchen, gas shut-off valves are located near the cooking range. This is one of the vital components in a kitchen design that can quickly cut off the gas supply in case of fire incidents. The shut-off valves provide additional support in suppressing fire by preventing the spread of fires.
In addition to a fire suppression system, it is crucial to ensure a proper ventilation system in the commercial kitchens. Whereas a fire suppression system extinguishes the fires, the ventilation system helps remove the contaminants, smoke, and grease-laden air outside the area. A ventilation system also ensures better and fresher air quality, which leads to a safer and healthier workplace for the employees.