If you’re running a food truck, you probably know how vital safety is. It is no small feat to work within a small, mobile kitchen using high temperature cooking devices.
Doesn’t matter if you just decided to form a food truck or you’re looking now at upgrading your safety, installing a kitchen hood fire suppression system can be a great investment for your food truck.
What is a Kitchen Hood Kitchen Fire Suppression System?
In a nutshell, a kitchen hood fire suppression system detects and puts out fires within your food truck, prior to them getting out of control. These systems are generally placed over cooking devices that are the most likely locations for a fire to occur (griddles, fryers, etc.) and when a fire occurs, the system will release a chemical agent to suppress any flames.
The best part? Many kitchen hood fire suppression systems will activate automatically, as they contain sensors that detect excessive heat or smoke. Thus, if there is a fire, even if you are not there to respond to it, the system will extinguish the fire, as it is designed to prevent the ignition of any fuel source, by shutting off the gas line.
Can I Install My Kitchen Hood Fire Suppression System Myself?
If you are a do-it-yourselfer, you may want to attempt to install your own food truck kitchen hood fire suppression system; however, this is not an easy task.
Kitchen hood fire suppression systems are complex and must adhere to regulations and guidelines, ensuring that they are installed correctly and will function properly. You should call your local fire marshal to find out what the regulations are in your area and what type of equipment you need.
Many local jurisdictions will not let you perform the work yourself and will require that the installation be performed by a licensed professional, and that any inspections be done, before you can operate.
While you may want to save money by performing the installation yourself, this is not the place to cut corners. Your safety is worth spending the money to have a qualified individual properly installed the system.
What are the costs to Install a Kitchen Hood Fire Suppression System?
Kitchen hood fire suppression system prices vary depending on the size of the food truck kitchen, the equipment you have in the kitchen, the manufacturer of the system, etc. The average cost for a Professionally Installed Kitchen Hood Fire Suppression System is approximately $2500 – $5000.
This price range includes the initial installation of the system, as well as the permits and inspections required. Although this is a large upfront expense, consider that it is a long-term investment in the safety of your business and account it when writing the financial section of your food truck business plan.
Do I Need a Kitchen Hood Fire Suppression System for a Food Truck?
The answer is… yes. First, from an investment point of view, in many communities having a kitchen hood fire suppression system is required by law. Most local Health and Safety regulations, require that mobile kitchens have a fire suppression system. In addition, many event promoters will not allow you to park at their venue unless you have one installed.
Even if it is not illegal where you operate a food truck, having a kitchen hood fire suppression system installed, is one of the smartest decisions you can make for your Food Truck Business. It may also help reduce your monthly insurance costs in addition to providing a safe workspace for your employees and customers.
Don’t Forget to Install the Right Fire Extinguisher!
If you have installed a kitchen hood fire suppression system in your food truck, it is suggested that you have at least one fire extinguisher located within your food truck that is used to combat the type(s) of fires that may occur in your food truck kitchen. Fire can start in many areas of your food truck and no matter how small, fires can spread quickly. If you have any outdoor cooking equipment, such as a barbecue smoker, having a fire extinguisher nearby is essential.
The best fire extinguisher for a food truck is a Class K fire extinguisher, as this is specifically designed to suppress fires caused by the cooking oils/fats use in your food truck kitchen. This one safety device is very inexpensive and can make a large difference during an emergency.
Kitchen Safety is Job One!
A kitchen hood fire suppression system is not just a safety piece of equipment, but as an owner/operator of a food truck, it is a critical part of running a successful food truck. Having one will provide peace of mind for you and your staff, as well as, protect your food truck kitchen from fire damage.