Your technicians routinely service the extinguishers and suppression systems at commercial cooking
establishments. Since they already have service calls at restaurants and cafeterias, make sure that those
customers know you have access to other safety
equipment and that you can provide the service of installing that equipment too. Here are some ideas for you to
improve safety and increase your revenue without increasing your customer base.
Hood Filters and Spacers
Your customers are constantly taking out filters to clean them. From a safety standpoint that is a good thing.
But it takes a toll on the service life of the filters. They not only get worn and damaged, but sometimes they
accidentally end up in the dumpster.
The damaged and missing filters must be replaced in order for cooking operations to continue safely. Make sure
that your customers know you can get replacements to them quickly. You just need to determine the construction
material (aluminum,
galvanized, or stainless) and the height and width (filters are standard sizes). Your Brooks Account Manager can
match that information to the right replacement filters. And do not forget the spacers that fill the gap at the
end of a line
of filters. Spacers are needed to make the filter arrangement compliant with code. The height (length) of a
spacer matches the height of the filter. Filter spacers are available in 2, 3, and 4 inch widths to fill the
gap.
Hood Filter Locking Handles and Conversion Clips
Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC all require grease filters to have locking handles to lock them into
place, and those type of filters are available from Brooks. Locking handles get broken by frequent handling of
filters for cleaning. Rather than
replace the entire filter, offer to replace just the locking handles and save your customer some expense. Also
conversion clips are available to use a standard filter with a CaptiveAire-type hood, which will also save money
for your customers.
Hood Light Globes and Guards
Every hood light should have a glass globe over the bulb for safety. A bare bulb is a hazard to workers and the
cooking operations. Some restaurants also want a wire guard over the globe for added protection. Nothing is
simpler than adding guards or replacing
a missing globe or guard.
Duct Access Door Replacements
A missing or damaged duct access door is a hazard, since the exhaust system will not work correctly without it.
These doors get damaged or lost during hood and duct cleaning activities and the duct cleaning personnel often
do not know where to turn to
get replacements. That is an opportunity for you to provide the replacements. Door sizes are mostly standard and
the installation is simple with wing nuts or similar fasteners. Your customers will appreciate your quick
replacement of these
critical components to their exhaust duct systems and returning their exhaust system to a safe and compliant
condition.
Exhaust Fan Grease Boxes and Replacement Hinges
Nothing lasts forever, and that includes the grease collection boxes for exhaust fans. A grease box is a safety
item that is usually located on the roof, collecting grease that condenses around the perimeter of the exhaust
fan. You have probably seen
the greasy mess left behind where a grease box is damaged or missing. All you need are the height, width, and
depth for the grease box and your Brooks account representative can match it up with a replacement. Also the
exhaust fan is supposed
to have hinges for safety. Offer to replace damaged or missing hinges. Standard hinge sizes are 9 1⁄4″ x 7 5⁄8″
or 11 1⁄4″ x 7 5⁄8″.
Fryer Panel
A fryer panel is a safety item which, protects a fryer from the surface flames of an adjacent appliance. It
creates a code-compliant barrier between the flames and the vapors coming from the cooking oil in the fryer. A
fryer panel prevents ignition of
the fryer and is required by code (unless a 16 in. clear space is provided between fryer and the adjacent
appliance) [96, 12.1.2.4].
Appliance Wheel Chocks
When an appliance is moved for cleaning or maintenance, it is required to be returned to its approved location
prior to resuming cooking operations [96, 12.1.2.3]. The easiest and most reliable method for complying with
this code requirement is with the
installation of plastic wheel chocks that are permanently fastened to the floor. Although two styles are
available, these wheel chocks will work for any cooking appliance with casters.
Telescopic Match Extender
Many of the pilot lights for cooking appliances are in hard-to-reach locations. Your customers will appreciate
that you have access to telescopic match extenders. They are pen size with a pocket clip and can be extended to
25 inches to hold a wooden match
stick. The match is inserted into an alligator clip, at the end of the extender, to relight a pilot light.
Cleaning Liquids and Sprays
Stainless steel appliances and wall coverings need constant cleaning. Cleaning grease from surfaces is a fire
prevention measure (safety) and helps reduce the chances of food contamination (foodborne illness prevention).
Make sure your customers know
that you can supply them with the cleaner/polish they need. Other housekeeping items that you can provide are
oven cleaner and grill/fryer cleaner. Remember, a dirty surface is an unsafe surface.
Service Mat
Your technicians probably use a service mat (P/N SSM) to keep their feet cool while servicing the kitchen hood
system. Make sure your customers know they can purchase a service mat from you so their kitchen staff can clean
above appliances at the end
of a shift. These mats are heat resistant up to 2000°F.
Hood and Appliance Identification Signs
Most restaurant owners want signs on their hoods for identification purposes but do not know where to get them.
Brooks’ adhesive-backed signs have red lettering and borders. Common signs include FRYER, GRIDDLE, BROILER, and
HOOD #1, #2, #3, and #4. Also
a sign that says “REMOTE PULL STATION FOR HOOD FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM” is available for every pull station and
is required by NFPA [96: 10.5.1.2].
Remote Pull Station Guards
For many locations of remote pull stations, there is a real potential for accidental snagging with food carts
and clothing. Make sure your customers know that you can install a guard on the pull station, which will ensure
safety by preventing unwanted
discharges of the kitchen system.
Grease Cups
Grease cups capture grease so that it can be safely removed at the end of a shift. Grease cups are safety items
that can easily get lost or accidentally thrown out with the trash. Your customers will appreciate that you can
replace the most common types
and sizes used in commercial kitchens today.
Fire-Stop Caulking
Every fire wall or fire-resistance rated partition must have a perimeter of pipe penetrations sealed to ensure
the integrity of the fire barrier. Although your technicians seal pipe penetrations with fire-stop caulking,
they might find existing penetrations
that have been left unsealed. Offering to seal up openings with UL classified “FIRESTOP” caulking (P/N FS900)
will make piping installations code compliant and will improve safety in the event of a fire.
CO2 Cylinder Carrying Handles
Most restaurants have a supply of carbon dioxide (CO2) beverage cylinders to dispense carbonated
beverages. Although they are often leased, the restaurant is usually responsible for safety while the cylinders
are in their possession.
Most of the beverage CO
2 cylinders are manufactured to accommodate a carrying handle, which is needed for safely moving and
transporting the cylinders. The handle actually serves two purposes. One obvious purpose is to safely handle the
cylinder without
dropping it. The other purpose is to protect the valve from damage or getting knocked off. Cylinders should
never be moved or transported with a broken or missing handle. Offer to replace damaged or lost handles. You
will simply need a
handle that will match the cylinder and a snap ring to hold it in place. Handles are available to match Luxfer
(2 3⁄8″ neck), Kidde (2 3⁄16″ neck), and Catalina (2 5⁄8″ neck).
Beverage Cylinder Regulators and Gauges
CO2 beverage cylinders are tied into regulators and gauges to properly and safely regulate the
pressure for dispensing beverages. Offer to check the regulators and gauges for safety and proper operation. All
fittings are either
threaded or quick-disconnect. Change-out is usually quick and easy, returning the operation to a safe condition.
Cigarette Butt Receptacles
Almost every restaurant has a smoking area outside for employee breaks. Often, those areas are littered with
cigarette butts, unless there is a receptacle for safely discarding them. A plastic cigarette butt receptacle
(P/N JR26800) is the solution, as
they are designed to safely and quickly extinguish the butts, due to the oxygen-restricting design of the
device.
Expanding your restaurant offerings will improve safety for your customers and improve your bottom line.
Additionally, that expansion can occur without any additional service calls on your technician’s routes.
Technicians simply need to approach the restaurant
owner or general manager and offer to perform a safety check of the equipment. Most restaurants will have one or
more areas where safety can be improved with the above suggestions. Replacing obvious broken or missing parts
with new ones
results in a win-win for you and your customers.
Mark Conroy is an engineer in our Boston office.