Over the last decade, the food truck industry has taken off. Food trucks are now a mainstream part of urban culture and a viable small business option for the aspiring restauranteur. However, the environment of a food truck kitchen is also unique, with risks of its own that owners and operators should know. Prudent safety strategies must be implemented to protect your business, employees and customers.
In this article, we’ll offer food truck owners practical advice on how to assess and reduce risks of fire hazards, gas leaks, generator hazards, and other dangers that are common in the food truck trade. By following these best practices, you’ll have a safe, profitable, and fun food truck for years to come.
Food Truck Popularity and Industry Growth
The idea of cooking and selling food out of the back of a mobile vehicle, known as the food truck concept, has exploded since the late 2000s. The industry has ballooned from humble beginnings to a $1.2 billion industry in the United States alone. Some projections suggest that the market is projected to hit $1.75 billion by 2025.
As fun and exciting as food trucks may be, owners and operators cannot overlook the safety considerations of essentially running a kitchen on wheels. Like any small business, protecting your investment should be a top priority.
Assessing the Fire and Safety Risks
Operating a compact cooking facility inside a motor vehicle introduces risks not found in typical restaurant kitchens. Food trucks are especially vulnerable to fires, gas leaks, ventilation issues, and other hazards if the proper precautions are not taken.
In addition to fire, improperly stored fuel can lead to explosions, and inadequate generator ventilation poses threats from carbon monoxide poisoning.
While regulations vary between states and municipalities, food truck owners cannot rely on local codes alone to address safety. Being proactive and implementing best practices is crucial, as is having proper insurance.
Food Truck Fire Safety Strategies
Maintaining fire safety is the most critical element of food truck operation. Fires in confined spaces can destroy a mobile kitchen in minutes. Operators should prioritize the following areas when developing a truck’s safety protocol.
Propane System Maintenance
Propane is the most common cooking fuel used in food trucks. However, the compressed gas tanks, valves, tubing, and appliances in a propane system can all be sources of leaks if not properly handled. Any small leak can lead to a deadly explosion.
Here are vital safety steps for your truck’s propane setup:
Install Leak Detectors
Propane and gas leak detectors should be hardwired into your food truck during its construction. Detectors alert occupants to any dangerous leaks.
Perform Regular Maintenance
Routinely inspect propane tanks, valves, regulators, piping, and appliances for cracks or damage. Tighten any loose fittings. Replace damaged parts immediately with qualified components.
Secure Tanks Properly
Make sure propane tanks are firmly secured in place on the exterior of the truck. Inside, tanks can leak gas into occupied areas. During transport, unsecured tanks also pose a projectile risk in an accident.
Check Appliance Connections
Stove burners, water heaters, refrigerators, and any other propane appliances should be hooked up with the appropriate fittings by qualified technicians. Check that seals are tight.
Turn Off When Not Operating
Make sure to completely shut off propane tanks whenever you are not actively operating or transporting your food truck. There is no benefit to keeping the system pressurized when cooking is not occurring.
Generator Safety
Food trucks rely heavily on electrical generators to power on-board appliances, lights, HVAC systems, and more. Like propane however, generators pose unique fire, ventilation, and fuel storage risks.
Install a Fire Suppression System
An automated fire suppression system with manual activation switches should be installed and maintained. Regularly test the functionality. Suppression systems detect excessive heat and deploy retardants to quell cooking fires before they spread.
Ensure Proper Generator Ventilation
Never run generators in an enclosed space or near air intake vents. Doing so risks filling occupied areas with deadly carbon monoxide exhaust. Consult your generator manual for proper ventilation procedures.
Safely Store Extra Fuel
Gasoline to refuel generators should be stored externally or in special containers designed for flammable liquids. Never keep excess fuel inside the food truck. Fuel spilled near ignition sources risks explosion and fire.
Electrical System Inspection
While generators produce power, the electrical system distributes it throughout the truck. Like any kitchen, numerous electronic appliances and devices require electricity to operate. Faulty wiring can lead to fires or electrocution.
Use surge protecting power strips for appliances and devices. Immediately replace any old or damaged system components. Avoid overloading circuits with too many appliances on one line.
Kitchen Fire Suppression
Food truck kitchens run into the same fire issues faced by commercial kitchens, if not worse. Open flame grills, deep fryers, and other cooking equipment can ignite fires in tight spaces. Having fire suppression equipment on hand is mandatory.
Class K Fire Extinguishers
Class K extinguishers are specifically designed to suppress cooking oil and grease fires, the most common type of stove and kitchen fires. Maintain at least one Class K device on board at all times.
Manual Activation Switches
An automated fire suppression system with manual switches above cooking appliances can detect and douse flames before they spread. These systems are critical additions during new truck construction or old truck renovations.
Fire Blankets
Fire blanket wraps made of fiberglass or wool provide an additional means to smother stovetop grease fires. Use blankets to cut off oxygen until the fire is extinguished or you can safely evacuate.
Between Class K extinguishers, suppression systems, and blankets, ensure your kitchen is prepared to contain cooking fires until the fire department arrives.
Food Truck Gas Leak Prevention
In addition to fires, compressed gasses used in food truck kitchens and generators can lead to deadly leaks if systems are damaged or improperly maintained.
Propane Leak Prevention
Repeat inspections and maintenance of propane tanks, valves, seals, piping, and appliances is essential to prevent leaks as detailed previously. Always shut off gas while the truck is in motion to avoid potential damage. Install gas leak detectors as an additional warning system.
Generator Maintenance
Conduct routine generator maintenance by checking fuel lines, gaskets, emissions controls, and exhaust integrity to avoid carbon monoxide or gasoline vapors entering occupied spaces. Refuel carefully to avoid spills which can ignite.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Install battery operated and plug-in carbon monoxide detectors to alert occupants of dangerous CO buildup before life-threatening exposure occurs. Open windows and immediately move to fresh external air if detectors sound an alarm.
Food Truck Ventilation Systems
Inadequate ventilation contributes to the risks already detailed regarding fires, carbon monoxide exposure, and occupant safety. Sufficient fresh air exchange removes combustion byproducts and regulates temperature.
Install Code-Compliant Systems
Work with qualified HVAC technicians and engineers when designing or upgrading ventilation. Systems must meet standard mechanical codes for commercial cooking facilities. Consult local regulations for specific requirements.
Inspect and Clean Regularly
Grease accumulation and dust severely lower system efficiency. Clean exhaust hoods above cooking equipment plus air intakes and returns often. Replace filters per manufacturer specifications.
Proper ventilation is required by law in commercial kitchens for good reason – don’t overlook this vital component in your food truck safety planning.
Conclusion
Running a successful and safe food truck is knowledge, vigilance, and work. The owners who are most likely to remain profitable and in business for the long haul are those who focus on fire prevention, leak detection, generator care, and ventilation. By enacting the strategies given above, mobile kitchens will be better prepared to face the unique hazards that they encounter.
As street food is more popular than ever, there are a lot of opportunities and challenges for aspiring entrepreneurs wanting to start a food truck company. With this industry growing so quickly, what sets the difference between thriving businesses and casualties is following prudent safety practices. With that said, equip yourself with the info needed, get proactive with it, and enjoy serving hungry customers from your mobile kitchen for years to come.