Fire Safety Self-Protection Measures in Restaurants: legal obligations and how to meet them

Self-Protection Measures in Restaurants: practical responsibility of the Safety Officer

Restaurants have specific risks: use of stoves, fryers, exhaust systems with accumulated grease, gas cylinders, high flow of people and rotating staff. Therefore, compliance with Self-Protection Measures (MAP) is not just a legal obligation — it is a real necessity to prevent serious accidents.

This article explains, in a simple way, how MAPs work in a restaurant and what is the responsibility of the Safety Officer.

1. Why MAPs are critical in restaurants

In a restaurant, the risk of fire is considered higher due to:

• Kitchen equipment with flame or high temperature;
• Presence of flammable oils and fats;
• Use of combustible gas;
• Extraction systems with grease;
• Storage areas;
• Many people in confined spaces.

This, in addition to being mandatory, makes it necessary to have clear procedures and a person responsible for ensuring that everything is under control.

2. What are Self-Protection Measures in a restaurant?

Self-protection measures define how to prevent, how to react and how to keep everything under control. They include:

• Prevention procedures: regular cleaning of exhausts, verification of gas systems, maintenance of extinguishers, access control and safe storage.
• Emergency procedures: how to act in case of fire in the kitchen, how to use extinguishers, how to evacuate customers, who calls the firefighters, where to direct people.
• Staff training: teach workers to prevent risk situations, to use extinguishers, to shut off gas, to recognize signs of risk, to guide and calm customers in an evacuation.
• Drills (mandatory in certain cases): train workers for real situations, especially in restaurants with more than 100 people.
• Mandatory records: maintenance, checks, training, drills and incidents.

3. Who is the Safety Officer?

It is the representative of the entity operating the restaurant, who is legally responsible for ensuring that Self-protection Measures are complied with, and may appoint a Safety Delegate to represent them and assist in the execution of the planned measures.

The Safety Delegate is the person designated by the owner or manager of the restaurant to ensure compliance with fire safety obligations, and may be:

• The manager;
• The head waiter;
• The owner themselves.

The important thing is that they have knowledge and authority to implement and monitor the execution of Self-protection Measures.

4. Specific responsibilities of the Safety Officer in a restaurant

Applying to the particular context of catering, the main responsibilities provided for in current regulations are:

4.1. Ensure that Self-protection Measures exist and are updated

Must ensure that:

• The safety plan considers kitchen risks;
• Procedures are adapted to the number of customers and staff;
• Emergency plans are in the right place;
• The document is updated, and should be reviewed when there are changes (new equipment, renovations, layout changes).

4.2. Implement essential prevention measures

Some critical points:

• Periodic cleaning of ducts and extraction filters, as they accumulate highly flammable grease.
• Regular verification of gas installations and pipes.
• Maintenance of extinguishers, fire blanket and detection system.
• Ensure that first intervention means are accessible.
• Monitor that there are no obstructions in emergency exits.

4.3. Train the team

The Safety Officer must ensure that:

• New employees are trained upon entry;
• Training exists periodically;
• Training on how to use extinguishers, fire blanket and emergency gas shut-off;
• Defines who supports customer evacuation.

Without training, equipment is useless.

4.4. Organize and maintain records

Must keep Safety Records updated with:

• Equipment maintenance;
• Routine checks;
• Exhaust and equipment cleaning;
• Training;
• Drill reports.

In case of inspection or accident, Safety Records are essential to demonstrate compliance with legal requirements.

4.5. Act in case of emergency

Must ensure that:

• The risk is quickly identified;
• The team knows how to isolate the initial fire (e.g.: turn off gas, use blanket);
• The evacuation is organized;
• The alert to firefighters is immediate.

5. Consequences of non-compliance

If Self-protection Measures are not implemented, the restaurant and its Safety Officer are exposed to:

• Significant fines;
• Temporary closure;
• Loss of license in serious cases;
• Civil liability for damages;
• Criminal liability when there is proven negligence.

In case of fire, insurance companies may also reduce or refuse compensation if legal obligations are not fulfilled.

6. In summary

• Restaurants have high risks, so Self-protection Measures are essential and not just a bureaucratic requirement.
• The Safety Officer has a legal obligation to ensure that prevention and emergency response work in practice.
• Their performance impacts the safety of customers, workers and business continuity.

Sources: Legal Framework and Technical Regulation for Fire Safety in Buildings, Technical Notes from ANEPC.