Ensuring the safety of employees and guests should always be at the top of mind for any restaurant owner. Among the many safety procedures restaurants have in place, fire safety protocols must hold top priority. Fire regulations often change over time and new risks within restaurants emerge, so preparing and updating your fire safety protocols is key.
Let’s look at a few areas restaurateurs must keep their fire safety protocols updated so everyone within the establishment stays safe in case of a fire emergency.
Assess Existing Protocols
Restaurant owners must periodically assess any fire risks in the establishment. Evaluating your space at least twice a year will help you stay up to code and prevent any potential fire hazards. Inspect your fire suppression systems, including sprinklers, gas shutoffs, and fire extinguishers. Make sure equipment is functioning properly and that all staff is up to date on their fire safety training.
By understanding your existing infrastructure, you can help prevent a fire and address any issues before they become dangerous.
Recognize Changing Risks
The restaurant industry is constantly changing with new operational procedures, technology, and environmental practices. Since the restaurant landscape changes, so must the fire protocols set up to protect them.
When introducing new equipment to your restaurants, such as stoves, fryers, or changing building layouts, you must stay within current fire codes. Additionally, hiring new staff or changing the occupancy of your establishment requires even more fire safety protocols to be put in place.
Stay on top of any changes within your restaurant and understand the fire codes before making any changes. If you are unsure what you need to do to stay in compliance, contact your fire marshal.
Comply with Regulations
Restaurants must adhere to strict government guidelines and fire safety regulations, which update periodically. Restaurant owners must stay aware of these changes to ensure the protocols within their establishment are up to code. Failure to adhere to these regulations not only puts those within the building in danger, but they can also include hefty fines and potential legal problems. Proactively staying up to date with these fire protocols allows your restaurant to be up to code and shows your dedication to safety.
Update Training Techniques
For fire safety protocols to effectively work, restaurant staff must have the proper training. Hold regular training sessions with staff members and educate them on essential practices in the event of a fire. Make sure everyone understands their roles. These may include people designated to help guests exit the building, someone outside to help guide emergency responders, or a staff member to shut off the gas to the stoves.
All training procedures should include how to use fire extinguishers, evacuation protocols, proper communication techniques, and ways to mitigate any fire hazards. Investing in the training of your staff allows them to respond quickly to a fire emergency that can potentially save lives.
Updating fire safety protocols is crucial to the safety of all people inside of your restaurant. By adapting to risks, maintaining proper regulations, investing in updated training, and conducting risk assessments, you will keep your establishment, staff, and guests safe in case of a fire emergency. Being proactive is key when it comes to fire safety, so keep up to date on all protocols and update them as needed.
Steve Lockwood is the owner of Mountain State Fire Protection LLC in Phoenix, Arizona. Mountain State Fire Protection specializes in premier fire equipment and comprehensive fire protection services.
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