The Biggest Electrical Risks in Restaurants
Restaurants are normally ideal settings for people to gather and enjoy nice meals, but these establishments can sometimes be dangerous places because of certain electrical hazards. If you own or manage a restaurant, you should be aware of the different electrical risks so that you can take the appropriate measures to avoid electric shock, electrical fires and other dangers that could put your customers and employees in harm’s way.
Overloaded Circuits
Just like having too many cooks in the kitchen, having too many appliances that receive power from a single circuit can be problematic for your restaurant. Refrigerators, ovens and other appliances that require a lot of energy can put too much strain on the circuit, resulting in frequent power outages and surges that increase electrocution and electrical fire risks.
Multiple circuits should be used to power your appliances so that the energy is distributed more evenly. If you don’t have enough circuits for all your appliances, you may need to have additional circuits installed to meet your restaurant’s power supply demands.
Wet Areas
Wet floors and other surfaces in a restaurant can increase electrical hazards if any of the moisture gets into outlets or comes in contact with other electrical sources. Employees with wet hands also risk getting shocked or fatally electrocuted if their hands touch any electrical sources. Moisture around electrical sources could also damage equipment or start an electrical fire.
One of the best ways to prevent these occurrences is by installing ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) circuit breakers. These particular breakers are designed to shut off power in wetter areas if potentially dangerous ground faults are detected.
Employees should also make sure their hands are dry when dealing with any wires, outlets or other items that generate electricity. Another way to decrease electrical risks in your restaurant is by scheduling regular inspections with experienced electricians to ensure your entire electrical system is safe.
Damaged or Malfunctioning Equipment
Any refrigerators or other restaurant equipment that’s damaged or malfunctioning can cause electrical problems. Employees who touch this equipment could get seriously injured from the shock. Fires may also ignite from damaged or faulty wires or equipment.
Any damaged or malfunctioning equipment should be repaired or replaced immediately to avoid catastrophes. Regular inspections and maintenance can help you stay on top of any equipment problems you were unaware of so that you can take the necessary steps to resolve the situation.
Relying Too Much on Extension Cords
The extension cords that your restaurant might use to power equipment that’s too far away from power outlets could increase electrical risks if you rely on these cords too much. Extension cords tend to overheat if they’re used for long periods, and this could ignite a fire. If you use an extension cord to power several items at once, a fire might also start if your electrical system gets overloaded.
If you must use extension cords, you should only do so temporarily until you can implement a more permanent solution. You should consider hiring knowledgeable electricians to install more outlets that are closer to all appliances so that you won’t have to rely on extension cords as much.
Not Having the Right Fire Extinguisher
There are different classes of fire extinguishers that are designed to put out different types of fires. If use have an extinguisher that’s only meant to put out fires caused by grease or any combustible materials lying around your restaurant, you could make the fire worse.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) or Class C fire extinguishers are ideal for putting out electrical fires, and your restaurant should have at least one of these types in the kitchen. Either of these extinguishers can douse electrical flames without harming any of your equipment. You’ll also want to be mindful of the extinguisher’s expiration date so that you can replace the extinguisher when it gets old and is no longer as effective.
Mister Sparky at Your Service
The professionals from Mister Sparky can help make your restaurant a safer setting by inspecting your electrical system and doing any necessary electrical work to reduce safety hazards. Don’t put up with any malarky, call Mister Sparky to request and estimate and schedule an inspection.
