How Often Should You Clean and Inspect Your Restaurant Fire Suppression System
The kitchen is often regarded as the heart of any restaurant. It is safe to say that any restaurant fire suppression systems service is the main artery that provides proper oxygen to your kitchen. This is why it is important for any restaurant owner to make sure that this part of your kitchen never gets neglected
Importance
The safety of your kitchen staff, servers, and customers are all on the line when we talk about restaurant fire suppression system maintenance. Even if it might cost you a bit of money to have it checked and cleaned regularly, you need to do it so you can prevent fires and other health and safety hazards from disrupting your business.
Think about it. This system makes sure that there is ample fresh air coming into your kitchen. It also makes sure that cooking exhausts properly go out of your kitchen’s space. However, because oil is an integral part of any cooking method, the air that comes out of your kitchen through these pipes are also greasy. Over time, this grease can accumulate, forming grime and attracting dust particles.
If you do not have your restaurant fire suppression system inspected and cleaned regularly, and frequently enough, it poses as a fire hazard. It can also cause lung problems among your kitchen staff, and also cause nasty odors in your kitchen.
Professional inspection
You should get in touch with your fire protection agency for regular inspection of these pipes. In some areas, this is necessary for you to keep your business running. Having professionals look at your restaurant fire suppression system has its advantages. These pros know what they are looking for, and they have access to parts suppliers just in case your pipes, ducts or fans are getting clunky.
The fire department may or may not offer cleaning services for these ducts, but one thing is for sure: you would want to have a professional look into the nitty-gritty of your fire suppression systems service. Regular cleaning also helps to lengthen the lifespan of your kitchen’s ventilation system.
Regular cleaning
You must also clean your vents regularly. You or your staff might not be able to clean the ducts, but you must make sure that the exposed surfaces of your kitchen hood are wiped clean of grease and grime. This way, if an accidental kitchen fire happens, your hoods won’t help spread it. Regular wiping of your hoods also helps to prevent nasty odors.
Frequency of inspections and cleaning
If you serve food 24/7, you need to have your hoods inspected every 30 days at the bare minimum. You might be asked to have your hoods cleaned more frequently depending on the amount of oil you use for cooking. Restaurants that serve food more moderately may need to have their systems checked every 90 days. Kitchen hoods over ovens are usually inspected every 180 days, and community kitchens that do not serve food as frequently may have their kitchen fire suppression systems checked once a year.
Just to be on the safe side, you should contact your fire protection unit. They can give a better assessment of how frequently you need to have your hoods checked depending on your kitchen’s function.
If you need a reliable restaurant fire suppression systems service, contact us today at Westminster Fire. Let us help you protect your business.