Fire Protection Recommendations for Hotels and Restaurants

Fire protection is a serious matter for any business owner, but having the added responsibility of a large number of visitors or guests can really cause some headaches. There are people that — no matter the evidence to the contrary — believe that a fire alarm is always a test and refuse to leave their area or even hide out in a bathroom. Business owners are required to step in to ensure that everyone gets out of the premises safely and to minimize the damage to their property as much as possible. Managing the two directives at the same time takes skill, preparation and having a solid plan in place or you risk disaster. See how these fire protection recommendations for hotels and restaurants can provide peace of mind to business owners and managers.

Fire Prevention

Restaurants.org has some great Fire Prevention 101 advice for hospitality business owners. Their tips are meant to reduce the more than 8,000 fire events that happen in hospitality businesses every year. This staggering number of fires caused in excess of $246 million in damages, for an average of $30,000 or more per event. This cost would severely inhibit the ability of most small businesses to continue operations, even if insurance was available to help cover the costs. Their tips include:

• Invest in preventative maintenance, including the installation of fire suppression technology in the kitchen.
• Maintain backups, such as portable fire extinguishers that are specifically geared to handle kitchen fires.
• Checking exhaust system for grease backup, and having it regularly cleaned and maintained.

Grease fires are a major cause of kitchen flare-ups, and keeping the grease under control is not only the sanitary option but it can save you significant money in the long run.

Staff Training

Training your front and back of house staff on a regular basis can mean the difference between getting everyone out of the building safely in the event of an emergency and having a truly tragic situation on your hands. Staff should receive training on the various types of fire detection and prevention mechanisms as well as a thorough understanding of the exit strategy in case of emergency. Keep these tips in mind when you’re scheduling training:

• Provide bulleted written and digital checklists for emergency events. No one has time to read a manual, but they may be able to glance at a handily-placed printout!
• Why it’s critical to maintain a high level of cleanliness throughout the facility. Stacks of flammable goods or blocked entrances and exits are exceptionally dangerous in the event of a restaurant or kitchen fire.
• Train managers and supervisors on how to properly schedule maintenance visits and ensure that they are being conducted properly. They don’t need to become fire prevention or protection experts but should have a good overview of what needs to be done and the schedule.

Protecting your staff and facility from a fire is a shared responsibility between the owners, managers and even the guests! Visitors to your hotel or restaurant should always be clear on how to exit quickly if needed. One of the best ways to keep them informed is to publicly post details on your walls in conspicuous locations so they are always visible.

Learn more about protecting your hospitality business from fire by contacting AAA Fire Protection at 855-356-0020, or by filling out our quick online contact form. Our experience with restaurant fire suppression systems and our highly dedicated team of fire protection professionals are standing by to answer your questions or provide a free initial review.