Your Restaurant Fire Risk Assessment Checklist

A restaurant fire risk assessment is one of the most important responsibilities for any business operating a commercial kitchen. With open flames, high temperatures, electrical equipment, and flammable materials all in constant use, restaurants present a higher fire risk than many other workplaces.

Carrying out a structured fire risk assessment for a restaurant helps you identify potential hazards, protect your staff and customers, and ensure your business remains compliant with UK fire safety legislation.

With that in mind, in this blog, we breakdown a clear and practical fire risk assessment checklist to help you understand what’s required and how to approach it effectively.

Who is responsible for fire risk assessments in restaurants?

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, every commercial premises must appoint a ‘Responsible Person’ to manage fire safety. In restaurants, this is usually the business owner, general manager, or operator.

The responsible person has a legal duty to:

• Carry out a suitable and sufficient restaurant fire risk assessment
• Identify fire hazards and evaluate the level of risk
• Implement appropriate fire prevention and protection measures
• Maintain fire safety systems such as fire alarms and emergency lighting
• Ensure staff are trained and aware of evacuation procedures
• Keep records and review the assessment regularly

This responsibility can’t be delegated entirely, even if external specialists are used. The responsible person must ensure that any recommendations for a fire risk assessment for a restaurant are implemented and maintained.

Failing to meet these duties can result in enforcement action, fines, or prosecution. More importantly, it significantly increases the risk to life and business continuity.

Your restaurant fire risk assessment checklist

A clear and structured restaurant fire risk assessment checklist ensures all critical areas are covered. With that in mind, here is a step-by-step approach to help guide your assessment.

1. Identify fire hazards in your restaurant

The first stage of any fire risk assessment for a restaurant is identifying all potential sources of ignition, fuel, and oxygen. These might include:

• Cooking equipment such as fryers, grills, ovens, and open flame appliances
• Electrical systems and appliances, including extraction systems and overloaded circuits
• Flammable materials, such as cooking oils, paper products, packaging, and cleaning chemicals
• Grease build up within ductwork and extraction systems, which can ignite quickly and spread fire rapidly

It’s important to consider not only visible hazards but also hidden risks, such as poorly maintained equipment or blocked ventilation systems.

2. Identify people at risk

Once you’ve identified the hazards, the next step is to determine who could be affected in the event of fire, such as:

• Kitchen staff, who are exposed to the highest risk due to proximity to heat and flames
• Front of house staff, working in busy and sometimes crowded environments
• Customers, including those unfamiliar with the building layout
• Vulnerable individuals, such as children, elderly guests, or those with mobility issues
• Contractors and delivery personnel, who may not be aware of fire procedures

Understanding who is at risk allows you to plan appropriate evacuation procedures and ensure support is in place where needed.

3. Evaluate fire safety measures

A critical part of any restaurant fire risk assessment checklist is reviewing your existing fire safety systems and controls. You should assess:

• Fire alarm and detection systems to ensure early warning is provided
• Emergency lighting and fire signage to support safe evacuation during power failure
• Fire extinguishers and fire blankets, ensuring they’re suitable for kitchen fires
• Kitchen fire suppression systems, such as ANSUL systems, for high risk cooking areas
• Emergency exits and escape routes, ensuring they’re clearly marked, unobstructed, and accessible at all times

It’s also important to check that all systems are regularly tested, maintained, and supported by appropriate documentation.

4. Record findings and action plan

All findings from your restaurant fire risk assessment must be properly recorded. This is essential for demonstrating compliance and ensuring that identified risks are addressed. 

Your documentation should include:

• A clear record of identified hazards and risks
• Details of existing fire safety measures
• Areas of non compliance or concern
• A prioritised action plan to address issues
• Assigned responsibilities for completing actions

Having a structured action plan helps ensure improvements are implemented in a timely and organised manner.

5. Review and update the assessment regularly

A fire risk assessment for a restaurant must be a living document that evolves with your business. It’s recommended that regular reviews should be carried out:

• At least once a year as part of routine compliance
• After any significant changes, such as new kitchen equipment or layout alterations
• Following a fire incident or near miss
• When there are changes in staffing, occupancy, or operating procedures

Keeping your restaurant fire risk assessment up to date ensures your fire safety measures remain relevant and effective.

What are some common mistakes to avoid in restaurant fire risk assessments?

Even well managed businesses can make mistakes when it comes to fire safety, particularly in restaurant environments where operations move quickly and risks can change over time. Some of the most common mistakes to avoid during your restaurant fire risk assessment include:

• Failing to update your assessment – restaurants are constantly evolving. With new cooking equipment, altered kitchen workflows, or refurbishments, they can all introduce new risks. If your assessment isn’t reviewed after these changes, it may no longer reflect the actual hazards on site.
• Inadequate staff training – employees should understand evacuation procedures, alarm activation points, the location of fire extinguishers and blankets, and how to respond safely to kitchen fires. You should also arrange regular refresher training for existing and new staff that join your organisation.
• Overlooking high risk areas – while the main kitchen and dining area should receive the most attention, other important spaces are often overlooked. Storerooms, refuse areas, and delivery access points are all areas that present serious fire risks if not included in your assessment.
• Poor documentation – as well as a list of fire hazards, a fire risk assessment should clearly record findings, identify non compliances, prioritise actions, and show who is responsible for completing them. Without proper documentation, it can become much harder to demonstrate compliance during inspections.
• Relying on outdated systems or equipment – fire safety equipment, like fire extinguishers and suppression systems, all need to be maintained and reviewed regularly. Assuming older systems are still suitable without checking their condition or compliance can leave significant gaps in protection.

Avoiding these mistakes is key to maintaining a safe environment and ensuring your fire safety strategy remains effective. A well considered assessment should not only help you comply with legislation, but also give you confidence that your restaurant is properly prepared to protect people and respond quickly if a fire does occur.

Need professional help with your restaurant fire risk assessment?

A comprehensive restaurant fire risk assessment is essential for protecting lives, maintaining compliance, and safeguarding your business from disruption. While this fire risk assessment checklist provides a strong framework, working with a professional fire safety provider, like Pyrotec, ensures your assessment is thorough, accurate, and aligned with current legislation.

At Pyrotec, we specialise in delivering fire risk assessments for restaurants and provide clear, practical recommendations tailored to your premises and operations. Our experienced assessors help you identify risks, implement improvements, and maintain ongoing compliance with confidence.

If you need support with your restaurant fire risk assessment, or you’d like an expert review of your current setup, get in touch with our team today. We’re here to help you stay safe, compliant, and fully protected.