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10 tips for safe restaurant operations

Your business is all about managing a restaurant, and keeping it running smoothly with no interruptions, no matter how hectic things get in the kitchen. Our business is to help you protect yours, and one way we do this is by helping to identify potential hazards.

2 male chefs in restaurant dining room

Here are ten tips to help you keep your restaurant safe from the kind of surprises you don’t want to see:

  1. Make sure all cooking appliances are protected by an approved fire suppression and exhaust and ventilation system
  2. Don’t use portable appliances to perform commercial cooking operations
  3. The fire suppression system that protects your hood, ducts and appliances should be serviced on a semi-annual basis in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications
  4. If your kitchen fire suppression system was installed prior to July 1, 1995, it will most likely need to be replaced or upgraded
  5. Standard spray sprinklers can be used to protect all cooking surfaces with the exception of deep fat fryers. Specifically approved sprinklers used to protect deep- fat fryers have lost their listing and as a result replacement sprinklers are no longer available for this application
  6. Post a Class K portable fire extinguisher near deep-fat fryers or other appliances using combustible cooking materials
  7. Overhead kitchen exhaust and ventilation ducts should be inspected regularly and cleaned by a certified technician
  8. Safeguard your alcohol stock by using physical protection and electronic security measures
  9. Verify that delivery people working on your behalf are properly insured
  10. Routinely inspect illuminated exit signs, designated exits and fire alarms in accordance with local codes

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This document is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as exhaustive nor as providing advice. Intact Insurance makes no representation, warranty or guarantee that use of this information will prevent damage or reduce your premium. Your insurance contract prevails at all times. Please consult it for a complete description of coverage and exclusions. Certain conditions, restrictions and exclusions apply.