Fire Safety for Restaurants

Protect your premises, people, and reputation with expert fire safety for restaurants.

Home Sectors we cover Fire Safety for Restaurants

We help you meet your legal obligations and manage the unique fire risks of a busy kitchen environment. Thanks to the backing of the LS Fire Group, we’re able to provide fire safety services to restaurants across the UK with the help of our partner brands, so no matter where you’re located, we can help

The risks of fire in restaurant kitchens

Fire safety in a kitchen setting is complex and essential. Restaurant kitchens are high-risk environments, with open flames, high temperatures, hot oils, grease-laden surfaces, and intensive use of electrical equipment. Without proper controls, a minor spark or spill can escalate into a serious incident within seconds.

The consequences of a kitchen fire go far beyond the immediate damage. Fire can cause:

Serious injury or harm to staff, customers, and nearby tenants
Irreparable damage to cooking equipment, stock, and infrastructure
Temporary or permanent business closure
Long-term reputational damage, particularly in the hospitality sector

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person has a legal duty to identify risks, implement protective measures, and regularly assess fire safety in your restaurant.

Restaurant risk assessment: What’s included

Every restaurant must carry out a restaurant risk assessment that reflects the unique hazards of its kitchen, dining, and storage areas. A professionally conducted fire risk assessment will include:

Identifying fire hazards

Open flames, gas cookers, deep fat fryers
Grease buildup on hoods, filters, and ducting
Overloaded electrical sockets and cooking appliances

Identifying who’s at risk

Kitchen staff, chefs, and front-of-house staff
Customers, including children and vulnerable adults
Suppliers, delivery personnel, and contractors

Reviewing existing fire safety measures

Fire extinguishers and suppression systems
Emergency exits and fire safety signage
Staff fire safety training and induction

Evaluating means of escape and evacuation routes

Clearly marked and unobstructed fire exits
Routes from kitchen to safe assembly points
Emergency lighting and signage

Documenting findings and specifying required actions

Recording risks and deficiencies
Setting clear action points and timelines

Scheduling review intervals and follow-ups

Recommendations for ongoing checks
Review cycles to stay compliant with regulations

Restaurant risk assessments that fit your needs

We offer a range of restaurant risk assessments tailored to your business size, layout, and operation hours – whether you’re running a small café, a takeaway outlet, or a multi-floor restaurant.

Options include:

Full risk assessments – a comprehensive review for first-time assessments or newly opened sites
Annual reviews – required under UK fire safety law to ensure controls remain effective
Fire safety audits – spot-check or third-party reviews to support insurance or council inspections

We also help address kitchen-specific challenges such as:

Grease build-up in extract systems and ductwork
Functionality of fire suppression systems above cooklines
Fire separation between front and back house
Visibility through glass doors, and keeping exits free of obstruction

Our team can also advise of passive fire protection, including fire-rated doors, fire barriers, and fire-stopping systems installed around services and ductwork to help you contain fires at the source and reduce damage.

Essential measures for fire safety in a kitchen

Keeping your kitchen safe requires a combination of active and passive protection. Here are the most critical measures for fire safety in a kitchen:

1. Kitchen fire suppression systems

Specialist suppression systems (e.g. Ansul) are installed above fryers, grills, and cooklines to extinguish flames automatically. These must be inspected and maintained regularly to ensure reliable activation.

2. Fire extinguishers and blankets

The right extinguishers (Class F for oil and grease, CO2 for electrical fires) must be easily accessible. Fire blankets should be available near fryers or hot pans and checked regularly for damage or expiry.

3. Fire doors and compartmentation

Self-closing, fire-rated doors help contain fire within the kitchen. Compartmentation slows the spread of smoke and flames, protecting escape routes and neighbouring areas.

4. Fire detection and alarm systems

Heat and smoke detectors should be installed in accordance with BS 5839, with alarms clearly audible across all areas of the premises, including storage rooms and staff areas.

5. Staff training and drills

All restaurant staff must know how to respond in an emergency, including using extinguishers, guiding customers to exits, and following the evacuation plan. Fire drills should be conducted regularly.

6. Cleaning and maintenance regimens

Daily, weekly, and deep-clean schedules help prevent grease fires. Electrical systems and suppression equipment should be maintained and tested in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Our restaurant fire safety services

We carry out thorough fire risk assessments tailored specifically for restaurants and commercial kitchens. Each assessment is conducted by qualified professionals and follows the PAS 79 methodology, identifying kitchen-specific risks, evaluating escape routes, and ensuring full compliance with current UK fire safety legislation.

Design and installation of fire suppression systems

Our team designs and installs high-performance fire suppression systems suited to busy kitchen environments. From canopy hoods to deep fat fryers, we provide reliable solutions – including Ansul systems – that automatically suppress fires at the source and minimise damage.

Fire extinguisher and emergency equipment maintenance

We supply, install, and maintain a wide range of fire extinguishers and emergency equipment for restaurants. This includes CO2, wet chemical, foam, and dry powder extinguishers, as well as blankets, signage, and emergency lighting, ensuring your kitchen and front-of-house areas are fully protected and compliant.

Fire safety training tailored for restaurant staff

Our fire safety training is tailored specifically for restaurant teams, covering everything from evacuation procedures to the safe use of extinguishers.

We ensure that both kitchen and front-of-house staff understand their responsibilities and can respond effectively in an emergency.

Fire doors and compartmentation solutions

We install, repair, and maintain certified fire doors designed to withstand the rigours of a commercial kitchen environment. Our services also include full compartmentation surveys and fire-stopping solutions to contain fire and smoke, protecting key escape routes and customer areas.

Fire alarm systems: installation and servicing

We install and maintain fire alarm systems in accordance with BS 5839, with solutions designed for both kitchen and dining environments. From heat and smoke detectors to integrated alert systems and emergency lighting, we ensure your fire detection system is always operational and legally compliant.

Kitchen-specific passive fire protection systems

Our passive fire protection services are built around the needs of restaurant kitchens. This includes fire barriers, fire-stopping, and suppression systems positioned over cooklines. These solutions help contain fire at the source and reduce the risk of spread to other areas of the building.

If you operate a restaurant and need support with fire safety, get in touch with us today. We’ll help you identify risks, stay compliant, and put the right fire protection measures in place for your kitchen and front-of-house areas.