Are Fire Extinguishers Necessary for California Commercial Kitchens?

To open, operate, and keep a commercial kitchen running in California, there are certain requirements that you must meet. These include proper licensure and certification, continued compliance with safely handling food, passing of regular safety inspections, and keeping appliances and plumbing up to code.

Apart from the latter, having fire extinguishers present in your commercial kitchen space is not only an important safety measure, but it’s a requirement here in California. But it isn’t enough to simply have a fire extinguisher or two within your commercial kitchen; the right type, amount, and placement of your extinguishers matters too.

What Laws Require Fire Extinguishers in California Commercial Kitchens?

Title 8, Section 6151 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) mentions details regarding the fire extinguisher requirements for California businesses. The agencies that observe and enforce these regulations include Cal OSHA, the California State Fire Marshal, local fire marshals, and business and corporate liability insurance providers.

For commercial kitchens and restaurants, Class K fire extinguishers are required to be securely installed every 30 feet. Each extinguisher must be accessible at all times and cannot be blocked by furniture or other objects. In addition, all employees must be trained on how to use a fire extinguisher and informed where each one is located in the building. Training of employees should be done at the time of hiring, as well as once annually thereafter. Likewise, extinguishers should be inspected annually, and hydrostatic testing should be regularly performed.

Are There Penalties for Not Having Fire Extinguishers?

Failure to have the right number, type, and placement of fire extinguishers on your commercial property can result in hefty fines from OSHA, costing thousands of dollars per fire extinguisher that isn’t in compliance. Penalties can also result if you fail to train your employees on fire safety and/or don’t pass annual inspections/testing.

In order to avoid these penalties, it’s critical to follow all regulations and guidelines enforced in the state of California as well as in your locality.

Get High-Quality Fire Extinguisher Supply in Southern California

Not only do you want to be in compliance to keep your commercial restaurant or kitchen up and running, but you’ll want to have quality, reliable fire extinguishers on your property in case a flash fire erupts. But how do you ensure you get your hands on fire extinguishers you can trust?

Fortunately, Flue Steam, Inc. has a wide supply of various fire extinguishers for businesses in Southern California. Call us today for more information on fire supply to protect your commercial kitchen or restaurant from a devastating fire: 800-700-FLUE.