Also, beware of kitchen grease fires, as they can have your entire kitchen up in flames in a matter of minutes. These types of fires require a certain class of fire extinguisher to be put out or suppressed. Learn more about the different types of fire extinguishers and which ones you need for your home.
In addition to being mandated by fire protection code, there are also many other reasons why having an extinguisher in your kitchen area is important. Kitchen fires, or class K fires, involve high-energy appliances combined with vegetable oils that have high auto-ignition temperatures.
Oil splatter, burning food and gas are just some of the common examples of flammable combustibles in a kitchen. It is also important to remember that a kitchen fire extinguisher should be placed in an area where someone can see it and use it easily. This will help prevent accidents from occurring.
Fire extinguishers are required in most commercial, industrial and residential buildings. The only buildings where fire extinguishers are not mandated are family homes.
Here's why: Prevents Injuries: Kitchens are filled with sharp tools (like knives), hot surfaces, and heavy objects that can cause burns, cuts, and falls. Practicing safety minimizes these risks and helps protect everyone from serious harm. Reduces Fire Hazards: Cooking is a leading cause of household fires.
Grease is one of the most dangerous fire hazards in kitchens because of how quickly it can build up from a day's use and how flammable it is if a fire were to break out.
Legal Requirements for Fire Extinguishers
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO), building and business owners must provide appropriate fire-fighting equipment, including portable fire extinguishers, wherever there is a risk of fire.
Making sure the systems are working and can work at a moment's notice are often checked by more experienced inspectors. Inspections usually cost between $40 to $100 dollars depending on the immediacy and size of business.
Pour a large quantity of salt or baking soda over the fire. Make sure it is salt or baking soda and not flour. Flour adds fuel to the fire and will cause it to burn (or even explode). Turn off any heat source.
Fire extinguishers apply an agent that will cool burning heat, smother fuel or remove oxygen so the fire cannot continue to burn. A portable fire extinguisher can quickly control a small fire if applied by an individual properly trained. Fire extinguishers are located throughout every building on campus.
Many people ask what is the best fire extinguisher to use in the kitchen… The answer is you can use either a dry powder fire extinguisher which has a blue coloured label,or a CO2 fire extinguisher which has a black label.
Dry chemical fire extinguishers are not sufficient to put out kitchen fires involving vegetable-based cooking oils, which carry a high risk of re-flash fires. These extinguishers should be removed from the cooking area.
Sprinkle a large amount of bicarbonate soda or salt over the fire and this should be enough to extinguish it, or at least give you time to get to your fire extinguisher. Don't use water on these types of fires, as it doesn't mix well with oil and can actually make the fire worse.
Class K extinguishers are filled with an agent designed to prevent burning grease from splattering and spreading. These types of fire extinguishers are the ones most often found in home kitchens. Since most kitchen fires are small and in a tight area, Class K fire extinguishers use a high-volume, low-velocity spray.
Yes, provided you know when and how to use it. Fire extinguishers can be a small but important part of the home fire safety plan. They can save lives and property by putting out a small fire or suppressing it until the fire department arrives.
Recharging is generally more economical for larger, well-maintained extinguishers. However, replacing a small or damaged extinguisher might be more cost-effective in the long run, especially if frequent recharging is required.
The kitchen and garage are good sites for an extinguisher. However, do not place an extinguisher over the stove or buried in storage in the garage, but rather hang it on the wall no less than 4 inches or greater than 5 feet from the ground.
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
The responsible person can be the employer, owner, or occupier of the premises. One of the key responsibilities is providing appropriate fire-fighting equipment, such as fire extinguishers, and ensuring their accessibility and usability.
1910.157 - Portable fire extinguishers. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
When do fire extinguishers expire? Although they don't have a true "expiration date," traditional fire extinguishers generally have a 10-12 year life expectancy. Disposable (non-rechargeable) fire extinguishers should be replaced every 10 years.
1. Kitchen hygiene 101: wash hands. Making sure your hands are clean is at the top of the kitchen hygiene rules list. It's easy for bacteria to be transferred, so wash your hands throughout prepping and cooking food.
Keep fingernails short and clean. Do not wear nail polish or acrylic nails. Avoid wearing jewellery (e.g. bracelet, rings) and watches while handling food. Do not wear working clothes or aprons outside the food preparation area.
The 4 Cs are essentially a useful acronym / mnemonic device that highlights the four key areas of food hygiene that can help prevent the most common food safety problems such as foodborne illnesses. According to the Food Standards Agency, the four Cs are Cleaning, Cooking, Cross Contamination and Chilling.