There’s no denying that food trucks are fast becoming a great way to start a business. Wherever there’s a crowd of people, they’re going to be hungry, and you can help fill that gap. What you may not realize is that in your food truck you’ve got a serious amount of combustible material that’s ready to create a fire if you aren’t careful. Here’s why food truck fire safety hazards are a growing threat, and what can be done to minimize the risk.
The Growing Threat of Food Truck Fire Safety Hazards
If you own a food truck, you know that you need a way of cooking your food in your truck. There are multiple different ways of doing this, but most trend to use propane to create heat to cook with. Propane is generally considered safe to cook with, and it is. However, if it’s mishandled in any way it can cause explosions, leading to serious injury and damage.
Propane fires in food trucks often come about because a container has begun to crack or leak. It’s so easy for this to happen. You’re always on the move, and driving over pot holes and other uneven surfaces. Any of these can jolt propane canisters and create problems along the way.
Another common cause of fires is portable generators. To run your truck, you need these generators to provide electricity as you work. If you have a truck that’s designed for cooking, then you’ll be at less risk than if you’re using a converted truck. The problem here is with carbon monoxide. Often there’s not enough venting for the by-products of running the generator, leading to fire risks.
The final problem is that many people use their trucks without the proper fire suppression systems. Newer trucks, and trucks designed for cooking, will have these built in. However, older ones may be missing vital equipment. This includes hood suppression systems, and the right kind of fire extinguishers on hand.
Whatever causes the fire, not being prepared for it is a dangerous move. As a part of running a food truck, you’re going to be going areas where large groups of people congregate. Whether that’s at a park, outside a nightclub or as part of an event, there’s going to be lots of people there. Having a fire in your truck puts them in danger, something that obviously you want to avoid.
Just like any other food business, you need to keep your staff and your customers safe when they’re in the vicinity of your truck. Just because you’re running a small business, doesn’t mean that you don’t have to pay attention to fire safety.
Preventing Food Truck Fire Safety Hazards
This all makes for sobering reading, but there’s no reason why you should be worried if you take the proper precautions. How do you stop fires from happening? Here are some tips on how you can prevent the most common food truck fire safety hazards.
- Keep portable extinguishers on board: You’ll always need fire extinguishers on board, in case the worst happens. Remember that you need two different types. A Class K extinguisher is for grease fires, and an ABC extinguisher for other types of fires. Other tools, such as a fire blanket, are also helpful to have on hand. Remember that you need to know how to use that extinguisher, so ensure you’re in the know before you get them.
- Maintain regular inspections: Part of your routine should be inspecting your equipment for any issues that could lead to a fire, later down the line. For example, frayed wires, cracked or broken switch plates and combustible items near heat sources are all fire safety hazards. If you find a problem, address it right away, and don’t use your truck until it has been fixed.
- Check the exhaust system: Your truck exhaust system is crucial, as it stops dangerous gases building up and leading to fires, as well as other safety issues. As you cook in your truck though, grease will build up in it over time. Have the system inspected regularly for grease, to ensure that it’s cleaned out when needed.
- Install an automatic fire suppression system: If you don’t have this in your truck yet, you need to ensure that you install one as soon as possible. The system you have should have a manual switch, so it can be used as soon as a fire is discovered. This needs to be inspected every six months to ensure it’s in working condition.
- Have propane tanks tested: This is vital to ensure that there are no leaks or other issues with them. The standard testing is hydrostatic testing. You need to ensure that this is done regularly, and the testing date is stamped on the tank once it’s done and given the all clear.
Understanding Fire Regulations
If you’re not sure what steps you should be taking to protect your food truck, then you’re going to look at what the fire regulations are in your area. The problem is, right now the regulations for food truck fire safety hazards are in a gray area. As a mobile kitchen, they’re not going to fit the same definition as a bricks and mortar establishment. Because they’re mobile, they won’t fit under the regulations for temporary structures either.
If your city doesn’t have regulations in place for mobile food trucks, then you can turn to the NFPA to help you get up to standard. They have a practical checklist that you can check your truck against. As well as this, the IAFC offers a free webinar that helps you understand the steps you need to take. Use this food truck fire safety hazards toolkit to help you get your up to speed with compliance.
There’s an increasing in food truck fire safety hazards, and as a business owner you need to pay close attention to the risks involved with yours. If you use the right preventative measures though, you’ll find that you can run a safe business. Follow these steps to keep your truck safe for you and the customers.