One of your most important roles is preventing fires. An electrical fire in your restaurant could have devastating results. A fire could shut down your restaurant, and not only would this prevent you from servicing your community, but customers, employees, and your bottom line could also be impacted. Since most fires are preventable, fire prevention begins with your training and operations program.
Here are some of the top items that help prevent electrical fires.
- Electrical systems should be inspected by a licensed electrical contractor every 2 years.
- Maintain and test GFCI outlets and circuit breakers regularly.
- Ensure all modifications to electrical system are performed by an approved contractor with a permit that has been acquired through your local municipality.
Work examples: Kiosks, Digital menu boards, additional outlets for charging ports or conversion to LED lighting.
- Load calculations should be performed for any modifications to your system that exceed 20 amps.
- Avoid using power strips. These allow circuits to be overloaded.
- Inspect electrical boxes, conduits, receptacles, plugs, cords, or appliances. Be sure to check high-stress areas of the cord, such as the point where it enters the equipment. Take action to have defective equipment repaired promptly by a professional.
- Make sure all connections are tight and all ground wires are properly installed.
- Make certain covers are installed on all electrical equipment (switchboard, panel boards, junction boxes, etc.).
- As always, follow all corporate recommendations, O&T manuals, equipment’s maintenance recommendations, etc.
Important reminder:Use extreme caution when extinguishing an electrical fire. Never use water to extinguish an electrical fire because electrocution may result. Use an ABC fire extinguisher on electrical fires