In this guide, we will look at how Arizona restaurants can reduce the risk of commercial kitchen fires by following the NFPA 96 code.
Many restaurants operating in Arizona today are unaware of the NFPA 96 code and how it can help prevent commercial kitchen fires. But with this guide, we will show you how following the code can help reduce the risk of fires in your commercial kitchen.
What Is NFPA 96
NFPA 96 is a code that establishes the minimum requirements for the design, installation, and operation of systems that protect commercial cooking operations from fire.
The code was created by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an organization that develops and maintains standards for fire safety. Though NFPA 96 is not a mandatory code, it is widely used by fire code officials, insurance companies, and restaurant owners as a guideline for fire safety in commercial kitchens.
The code covers various topics, including exhaust system design, grease removal, and proper venting of cooking appliances. By following the guidelines outlined in NFPA 96, restaurant owners can help to ensure the safety of their employees and customers.
What Are the NFPA Kitchen Hood Cleaning Requirements?
NFPA has a set of requirements for the cleaning of commercial kitchen hoods. By following these requirements, Arizona restaurants can help reduce the risk of commercial kitchen fires. According to NFPA 96, all Kitchens with systems using solid fuel cooking appliances shall have the hoods cleaned monthly.
The code also requires restaurants with high-volume cooking operations, such as those that do 24-hour cooking, work cooking, or charbroiling, to have their hoods cleaned quarterly.
Another requirement by NFPA 96 is that all kitchen systems that do moderate-volume cooking, such as those that do frying or sautéing, should have their hoods cleaned semi-annually. It also provides requirements for low-volume cooking operations, such as churches, day camps, seasonal businesses, or senior centers. NFPA 96 recommends that these be cleaned annually.
By following these guidelines, restaurant owners can help ensure that their exhaust systems are free of grease and other combustible materials. This, in turn, can help to prevent commercial kitchen fires.
Best Ways to Protect Restaurants from Fires
The NFPA 96 code helps Arizona restaurants reduce the risk of commercial kitchen fires. By following the code’s requirements for exhaust system design, grease removal, and venting of cooking appliances, restaurant owners can help to ensure the safety of their employees and customers.
In addition to following the NFPA 96 code, there are other ways that Arizona restaurants can protect themselves from fires.
These include the following:
Fire Suppression Systems
Arizona restaurants can install fire suppression systems in their commercial kitchens. Fire suppression systems are designed to detect and extinguish fires automatically. There are many fire suppression systems, including sprinkler systems, foam-based systems, and wet chemical systems. By installing a fire suppression system in their commercial kitchen, restaurant owners can help to ensure the safety of their employees and customers.
Portable Fire Extinguishers
One of the best ways to protect Arizona restaurants from fires is to have portable fire extinguishers. Portable fire extinguishers are designed to be used by trained personnel to extinguish small fires. One can use these extinguishers to extinguish grease, electrical, and other types of fires. When restaurant owners have portable fire extinguishers in their commercial Kitchens, they can help to ensure the safety of their employees and customers.
Employee Training
Another way to help protect Arizona restaurants from fires is to train employees to use fire extinguishers properly.
Restaurant owners should train employees on how to identify different types of fires and how to extinguish them. They should also be trained on how to use fire extinguishers properly.
- Some of the key things that employees should know include:
- How to identify a fire emergency
- How to evacuate the premises
- How to use a fire extinguisher
- What to do if someone is trapped by fire or smoke
- How to provide first aid in the event of a fire emergency.
Training employees on fire safety can help to ensure the safety of your employees and customers.
Automatic Sprinkler Systems
Another emergency measure restaurant owners can take to protect their business from fires is installing automatic sprinkler systems. Automatic sprinkler systems are designed to detect and extinguish fires automatically. These systems can effectively prevent fires from spreading and causing damage to the restaurant.
When appropriately installed, automatic sprinkler systems can help to ensure the safety of your employees and customers.
Automated Fire Alarm System
Arizona restaurants should install an automated fire alarm system to ensure the safety of their employees and customers. An automated fire alarm system is designed to automatically detect and notify the fire department in the event of a fire. These systems can effectively prevent fires from spreading and causing damage to the restaurant.
Fire alarms have been proven effective in reducing the number of deaths and injuries from fires. In addition to installing an automated fire alarm system, restaurant owners should also have a manual fire alarm system.
The manual fire alarm system should be located near the exits of the building so that employees and customers can easily evacuate the premises in the event of a fire. By having both an automated fire alarm system and a manual fire alarm system in place, restaurant owners can help to ensure the safety of their employees and customers.
Maintenance and Checkups
As long as you have the proper systems in place, it is essential to maintain and check them regularly to ensure that they are working correctly. This includes checking the batteries in your fire extinguishers, testing your fire alarm system, and inspecting your sprinkler system.
It is also essential to have a professional come in and inspect your commercial kitchen regularly. This professional can help identify any potential hazards and make recommendations on reducing the fire risk.
Some tips for inspecting cooking equipment include:
- Checking for signs of wear and tear
- Cleaning the equipment thoroughly
- Checking for overheating
- Inspecting the electrical wiring
Having a Well-Planned Emergency Evacuation Plan In Place
Another important tip for Arizona restaurants is to have a well-planned emergency evacuation plan. This plan should help employees, and customers safely evacuate the premises in the event of a fire.
Restaurants should revise the emergency evacuation plan on a regular basis to ensure that it is up-to-date and effective. Some things that one should include in the emergency evacuation plan include:
- A list of all exits
- A map of the building
- Instructions on how to use the fire extinguishers
The emergency evacuation plan should be posted in a visible location so all employees and customers can see it.
By having a well-planned emergency evacuation plan in place, restaurant owners can help to ensure the safety of their employees and customers.
Conclusion
Fire safety is an essential concern for all Arizona restaurants. By taking some simple precautions, such as installing automatic sprinkler systems and having a well-planned emergency evacuation plan, restaurant owners can help to reduce the risk of fire.
NFPA 96 compliant Arizona restaurants can help to ensure the safety of their employees and customers by taking some simple fire safety precautions. These precautions can help reduce the risk of fire and make the restaurant safer for everyone. By taking these steps, restaurant owners can help to ensure the safety of their employees and customers.
