What Should Restaurant Owners Know About Fire Extinguishers?
Every restaurant owner knows the importance of fire protection for their business, not just for the safety of employees and patrons, but for the protection of inventory and equipment as well. Not every restaurant owner, however, is an expert in fire extinguishers themselves. If you find yourself in the market for some new restaurant fire extinguishers in Lawrenceville, GA, here are a few considerations you’ll want to keep in mind.
There are many types of extinguishers
If you’re not well versed in the various types of extinguishers that exist on the market, you might find it slightly overwhelming when you first do your browsing, because there are a lot of options out there. This is because different types of fires burn differently depending on what’s being burned and what started the fire.
Firefighters organize these fires into different classes. Class A fires are fueled by solid materials like paper, wood, cloth and plastic. Restaurants that have wood-burning stoves have a greater risk for these types of fires. Class B fires feature flammable liquids, Class C fires involve electrical circuits, Class D fires involve combustible metals, etc. You should conduct a fire safety assessment with your local fire department and make sure you know the types of fires that would most likely affect your kitchen.
You need a Class K fire extinguisher for your kitchen
A Class K fire is a fire involving cooking oils or fats. This is, as you might expect, one of the most common types of fires you’ll find in kitchens and restaurants. Having a Class K fire extinguisher in Lawrenceville, GA is an absolute must for your restaurant. This type of extinguisher sprays a mist to suffocate the fire, avoiding issues with splashing hot oils that might react poorly with other types of extinguishers. The extinguisher’s chemicals form a sort of shield between the oil and the oxygen to prevent the fire from reigniting.
All employees should be trained in how to use an extinguisher
It’s not just enough to have fire extinguishers located around your kitchen and restaurant—your employees need to actually know how to use them. This includes everyone from kitchen staff to the manager to waitstaff and hosts. Fire departments will often offer training sessions, so you can send your staff to these events. You can also have a fire extinguisher professional come out to your restaurant and discuss the different types of extinguishers and how to use them.
Keep in mind that your fire extinguisher purchase will not last you forever. It should be frequently serviced to ensure it maintains enough pressure to be usable in an emergency situation. If the pressure dies down, or if anything about the extinguisher looks worn or damaged, it’s a good idea to replace it.
If you’re interested in learning more about the various types of fire extinguishers or what you should know specifically about restaurant fire extinguishers in Lawrenceville, GA, we encourage you to contact the team at AAA Fire Protection Resources, Inc. today with any questions.
Categorised in: Fire Extinguisher Service
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