Implications of a Kitchen Grease Fire
Residential kitchen grease fires are destructive and dangerous. However, when this type of fire occurs in commercial kitchens, the degree of risk multiplies. As with any disaster, prevention is always critical. This is why a commercial restaurant should have some type of grease duct in place.
With a kitchen exhaust duct, you as a restaurant owner have the necessary protection for any situation. The exact system depends on the establishment, budget, level of risk, and other factors. Some of the available options include a lightweight two-hour fire-rated duct, two-hour fire- and blast-resistant duct, three-hour fire-rated duct, four-hour fire-rated duct, and so on. With so many possibilities, it is imperative that you choose products from a well-established and reputable company.
One product that you might consider is a single wall kitchen grease duct. This prefabricated system with an 18-inch clearance to combustibles is highly effective. What makes this duct so great is that it is made with code-compliant 16-guage steel or 18-gauge stainless steel. Based on the overall design, this product works extremely well in kitchens with multiple hoods. Therefore, if you have a larger restaurant kitchen, this is an excellent consideration.
Risks of a Kitchen Fire
With the right system, you have few concerns about kitchen grease fires, which notoriously lead to more problems beyond fire damage. Regular cleaning and maintenance are critical as part of your prevention efforts. In addition, OSHA standards require you to have an accessible Class K fire extinguisher, proven effective in fighting kitchen grease fires.
By using the correct grease duct, there is less risk of damage to your restaurant, as well as brand damage and lost revenue. Especially for smaller commercial kitchens, a grease fire could be enough to shut a business down. The right product also protects you from lawsuits if an injury occurs in relation to the fire. The bottom line: A tremendous responsibility goes hand in hand with owning a commercial kitchen, so you never want to take risks.
DuraSystems is a trusted company for all types of fire protection systems. Included in this are various kitchen ducting options. With 25-plus years of experience in the fire protection industry, we are 100 percent confident that we have the right fire suppression system for your needs. Whether you need information or would like to speak to one of our experts, we look forward to serving you.
