Author Archive

Pizzeria Sued for Damages Caused by Kitchen Exhaust Duct Fire

March 20, 2014

Recent news items highlights the importance of proper exhaust system cleaning protocols Last November, a fire broke out around the exhaust duct in the kitchen of Pizzeria Toro in Durham NC, causing significant damage to the building. The pizzeria and two neighboring businesses were forced to close, and the three apartments located above the restaurant […]

What You Need to Know About Kitchen Exhaust Duct Access

February 24, 2014

Make sure your duct access panels can facilitate cleaning without compromising duct integrity Kitchen exhaust ducts have many important functions to perform. First of all, they must effectively carry hot, smelly, greasy air out of the kitchen and the building. Secondly, in the event of a grease fire, they must be able to contain the […]

Mysterious Kitchen Fire Highlights Need for Automatic Suppression Systems

February 19, 2014

A kitchen fire can strike at any time, but an automatic fire suppression system can provide protection Bradley’s Fern Park Restaurant in Muncy PA is closed on Mondays. But that didn’t stop a three-alarm blaze from destroying this eatery on Monday, February 17. Though the cause of the fire is unknown, neighbors on the scene […]

Flue Steam Offers 24/7 Emergency Service

January 31, 2014

Get fast repairs for all your kitchen air control & fire suppression equipment In order to operate your commercial kitchen safely, comfortably, and legally, you must have three vital systems in place: an exhaust fan, a swamp cooler or other ventilation source, and an automatic fire suppression system. When any one of these items requires […]

4 Ways a Kitchen Grease Fire Can Hurt Your Business

January 29, 2014

The damage from kitchen grease fires goes far beyond fire damage If you own or operate a commercial kitchen, you are no doubt familiar with the many tasks required to keep your exhaust system clean and reduce the risk of grease igniting within your exhaust hood or ductwork and causing a fire. But are you […]

Protect Your Employees from Kitchen Grease Fires

December 26, 2013

Be sure your employees get proper training on how to react in the event of a kitchen fire If you own or operate a commercial kitchen, you have an obligation to maintain safe working conditions for your employees in compliance with OSHA standards. Fire is a serious risk in any commercial kitchen setting, and you […]

Cooking is the Leading Cause of Nonresidential Building Fires

December 12, 2013

Exhaust system cleaning from Flue Steam can help reduce the risk of a kitchen fire According to the latest available data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System, cooking is the leading cause of all nonresidential building fires, as well as the leading cause of restaurant fires specifically. Commercial kitchen fires cause over $172 million […]

Fundamentals of Kitchen Ventilation

November 27, 2013

Proper ventilation is needed to keep kitchens safe and comfortable At its most basic, a kitchen ventilation system works by drawing hot, greasy air out of the kitchen and replacing it with fresh air. Without diving into the technical specs, here are some of the main points of kitchen ventilation that you may need to […]

Is Your Swamp Cooler Properly Sized?

November 27, 2013

A properly sized swamp cooler is vital for safe and effective kitchen ventilation Kitchen ventilation is all about balance. Hot, greasy air leaving the kitchen through the exhaust hood must be replaced by an equal volume of cool, fresh air in order to keep your system working properly. If your swamp cooler is undersized or […]

Kitchen Grease Fire Destroys Oceanside Taco Shop

October 28, 2013

A recent kitchen exhaust fire reminds restaurant owners of the importance of fire prevention Deiberto’s Mexican restaurant in Oceanside CA was destroyed by a fast-moving kitchen fire on Wednesday, October 9. Investigators have determined that the blaze began on a stovetop and quickly spread to the exhaust hood and then into the kitchen exhaust system. […]