The Value of Safe Smoking Policies for Avoiding a Fire Damage Disaster at Broomall, PA, Restaurants

9/7/2022 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Media encourages safe smoking practices as a way to prevent fire damage in restaurants.

SERVPRO® of Media provides fire damage restoration, smoke odor removal, and water removal services to businesses that have suffered a fire damage disaster. SERVPRO’s commitment to implementing a rapid response and quick cleanup makes its commercial services a solid choice for businesses, especially restaurants.

The importance of cigarette smoking policies at restaurants and bars

Prior to 2004, only two states had enacted laws completely banning smoking at worksites, restaurants, and bars. In recent years, other states have followed suit. In 2008, Pennsylvania passed into law the Clean Indoor Air Act, which restricted smoking in certain “public places.” The Pennsylvania law defines a “public place” as “An enclosed area which serves as a workplace, commercial establishment or an area where the public is invited or permitted.” The term includes facilities that provide “education, food or healthcare-related services.”

With these restrictions in place, restaurants and other public venues with high foot traffic need to provide proper disposal sites for discarding smoking materials. Designated smoking areas should be clearly marked. Stringent housekeeping practices need to be implemented, as well. The goal of these efforts is to limit the ignition of combustible materials and to reduce the likelihood that a fire will spread if it should start.

By adopting and implementing the following practices, a restaurant or other smoke-free business can accommodate the needs of patrons who smoke while also avoiding fire hazards related to smoking materials. Some of these measures also seek to reduce the potential for spreading should a fire break out.

Commercial insurance experts recommend the following safety measures specifically for restaurants, but other businesses may benefit from implementing these strategies: “Designate smoking areas at least 25 feet away from buildings, combustible materials, vegetation or refuse collection areas. Areas that allow smoking and areas that prohibit smoking should be clearly marked with appropriate signage. All smoking materials should be disposed of in acceptable receptacles and kept away from ignition sources. Disposal devices should be appropriately marked, be constructed of non-combustible materials, and have steep sides to keep materials inside the device. If smoking is allowed inside the building, then properly designed ashtrays should be provided in smoking areas to prevent cigarette butts or ashes from falling or rolling onto combustible materials. Ashtrays should only be dumped into designated disposal containers with a lid and filled with a medium that can safely extinguish a fire, such as sand or water. If smoking materials are going to be placed into a dumpster they should be thoroughly wetted down with water. Smoking materials may still be smoldering, so it is best to wet these down prior to disposal in a garbage dumpster. Make sure your dumpster is located at a minimum of 10 feet away from the building, but further away is preferred. A fire extinguisher should be placed in the area with a maximum travel distance of 75 feet away from the smoking area. By following the advice above, restaurant and bar owners can help protect their businesses from accidental fire while also abiding by smoking bans. Promoting a smoke-free workplace has many benefits, including limiting secondhand smoke exposure and reducing the chance of an accidental fire.”

Why choose SERVPRO of Media to remediate restaurant fire damage

Media, PA, is renowned for its great shopping, fine dining, and live entertainment! These establishments depend on repeat and regular business from loyal patrons, new customers, and out-of-town visitors enjoying the sights, sounds, and cuisine of the Philadelphia metro area.

When a fire damage disaster strikes a restaurant, a rapid fire damage restoration process is crucial to get the doors open and the revenue flowing. A team of cleanup and restoration professionals from SERVPRO of Media can be on-scene in about an hour to inspect and assess the damage and begin the cleanup. A fire damage disaster involves fire, smoke, soot, chemical fire suppressants, and water. Certified, experienced, and well-equipped technicians tackle the complex cleanup and restoration challenges with the goal of helping the damaged establishment resume normal business operations as soon as possible. The SERVPRO franchise family can, without delay, scale to meet any size disaster.

Contact SERVPRO of Media for more details about the company’s fire and water damage restoration services in Broomall, PA. The office can be reached by email at office@SERVPROmedia.com or by calling (610) 566-5720.