Did you know that nearly a third of non-residential building fires are caused by cooking? In 2022 alone, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) recorded 129,500 non-residential fires, totaling nearly $4 billion in losses. Busy commercial kitchens, packed with countless pieces of equipment, are especially vulnerable—and a lack of routine maintenance makes that vulnerability all the more acute.

While there’s no way to eliminate the risk of commercial kitchen fires, facilities managers can do much simply by learning more about common risks and easy ways to mitigate them, such as performing routine maintenance. Facilities managers can also partner with a reliable kitchen exhaust cleaning company to keep kitchen facilities cleaner, safer, and compliant with local codes and regulations.

Common Fire Safety Hazards in Commercial Kitchens

Regardless of the type of kitchen in your facility, it is crucial that precautions are in place to help prevent fires and ensure that you and your kitchen staff are familiar with common fire safety hazards. That way, you can keep an eye on these hazards and better mitigate fire risks moving forward. The three main types of fire hazards in commercial kitchens are:

• Electrical equipment: While nothing could be accomplished in your facility’s kitchen without the daily use of cooking equipment, electrical equipment can pose a serious fire hazard without proper care and attention. This is because when wiring, switches, sockets, or plugs begin to fray, they will project heat onto nearby flammable materials. Since this type of wear and tear is inevitable when equipment is used on repeat, it’s essential to remain vigilant about repair and replacement needs.
• Exhaust hood system: When your kitchen’s exhaust hood isn’t cleaned frequently enough, it can become hazardous due to the accumulation of grease-laden vapors. Exhaust hood fires can be particularly dangerous since a fire originating in any component can quickly spread throughout the rest of the system. You can minimize the risk of exhaust hood fires by partnering with a professional company to ensure proactive kitchen exhaust system maintenance. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requires that exhaust systems be professionally inspected for grease buildup in accordance with stated guidelines.
• Flammable materials: Similarly, a buildup of grease and oils produced by cooking equipment and improperly stored cleaning chemicals can pose a serious fire safety risk. When exposed to the high heat common in commercial kitchens, these materials can easily ignite and wreak considerable damage. Although grease production is practically unavoidable in most commercial kitchen settings, you can do your part to mitigate the risk associated with grease buildup by ensuring common problem areas and hard-to-reach areas in your kitchen are cleaned on a regular basis.

Fire Prevention & Preparation Tips for Facilities Managers

When it comes to fire safety, there are several things you as a facilities manager can do to help keep your commercial kitchen safe. For starters, making a habit of regularly checking fire extinguishers and sprinkler systems in your facility can go a long way in ensuring they work properly in the event of an emergency. Be sure to inspect fire extinguishers on a monthly basis to confirm they’re fully charged, easily accessible, and free from damage. You should also test smoke and heat detectors regularly and replace batteries as needed.

In addition to routine maintenance items, there are also things you and your kitchen staff can do on a regular basis to minimize fire risk and be prepared in the event of a kitchen fire. One of the most important items you should be incorporating into your facility’s daily operations is the cleaning of areas where flammable materials like grease and oils tend to accumulate. These areas include walls, stovetops, countertops, grills, convection ovens, broilers, and fryers.

Another way you can reduce fire risk in your facility is by training your kitchen staff to inspect equipment for any noticeable damage. Since cooking equipment is one of the leading causes of non-residential building fires, inspecting this equipment regularly is a great way to remain proactive about the potential risks it poses to not only your safety but that of your kitchen staff and patrons.

Last but certainly not least, you and your kitchen staff should always be prepared for the possibility of a kitchen fire. That way, you will know exactly what you need to do in order to respond properly, minimize damage, and prioritize safety. Key action items to consider when assessing whether you and your staff are properly prepared include:

• Making sure all exits are clearly marked;
• Establishing an emergency escape plan;
• Practicing fire drills at least twice a year;
• Ensuring staff know where all fire extinguishers are located; and
• Training staff on how to use fire extinguishers.

Since one of the biggest fire risks in commercial kitchens is the assumption that one is unlikely to ignite, preparation and proactivity can make a world of difference.

Benefits of Partnering with a Reliable Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Company

Although kitchen fires are always a possibility in busy commercial kitchens, partnering with a professional kitchen exhaust cleaning company can help minimize the risk while also helping to keep your kitchen up to code and running smoothly. Since these companies provide comprehensive kitchen exhaust cleaning and maintenance services, they are uniquely qualified to help you keep your facility’s exhaust system cleaner, safer, and compliant with local and national standards.

In addition, these companies are committed to exceeding your expectations while staying within the bounds of local as well as national regulations such as the NFPA Standard 96 and the IKECA ANSI C-10 Standard. By scheduling routine maintenance and cleaning services from a reliable kitchen exhaust cleaning company, you can rest assured that all systems in your facility’s kitchen are functioning properly and that you are doing your part to mitigate fire risk in your commercial kitchen.

Nathan Willard is the brand president of HOODZ International, a commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning and maintenance company based in Ann Arbor, Mich.

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