Fire Safety in Takeaway Restaurants: A Hidden Risk Above Your Head

When people think about fire safety in takeaway restaurants, they often focus on what happens in the kitchen — and rightly so. Deep fat fryers, hot surfaces, gas appliances, and busy teams create a high-risk environment.

But one aspect that’s often overlooked is what’s directly above that kitchen: living accommodation.

Many takeaway premises have flats above them, either used by the business owners or rented separately.

This setup brings a unique set of fire safety challenges that, if not properly managed, can put lives at serious risk.

Why the Accommodation Above Matters

In many high street takeaways, the commercial kitchen is located on the ground floor, with a flat or series of rooms above.

These may be linked to the business, or they may be rented out to tenants with no connection to the business below.

The risk here is simple: a fire that starts in the kitchen can easily spread to the floors above, especially through poorly maintained extraction systems, ceiling voids, or compromised fire barriers.

Cooking fumes and grease also present long-term hazards, increasing the likelihood of a fire breaking out and spreading.

Whether the flat is occupied by your staff, yourself, or an unrelated tenant, the building as a whole must be considered during your fire risk assessment.

You are responsible for ensuring that all occupants can escape safely, no matter where the fire starts.

Common Fire Safety Failures in Takeaways

Fire and rescue services across the UK regularly inspect takeaway premises and find the same key issues cropping up:

• Poor or missing fire separation between the kitchen and upstairs accommodation
• Grease build-up in extraction and ventilation systems
• Lack of fire detection in the upstairs flat, or no connection between alarms
• Blocked or locked fire exits and stairwells
• Inadequate staff training on fire procedures
• DIY alterations that compromise escape routes or fire protection

These are not small issues — they can lead to enforcement notices, prosecution, and in the worst cases, injury or loss of life.

The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has produced an important video to highlight these risks in real-world situations.

What Takeaway Owners Need to Do

1. Complete a full fire risk assessment
Your fire risk assessment must consider the whole premises — including the kitchen, the stairwell, and the residential areas above. It should identify all fire hazards, assess who is at risk, and set out clear actions to reduce those risks.

2. Ensure proper fire separation
Walls, ceilings, and floors between the kitchen and living areas must be fire-resistant. Fire doors should be installed and maintained. Without effective compartmentation, a kitchen fire can become a fatal flat fire in seconds.

3. Install and maintain linked fire alarms
Detection systems should cover both the commercial and residential parts of the property. These alarms must be maintained to British Standards and loud enough to alert sleeping occupants.

4. Clean and inspect extraction systems regularly
Grease build-up in ducting is a major cause of fire spread. Your extraction and ventilation systems must be professionally cleaned and inspected on a regular basis.

5. Keep escape routes clear and accessible
Both staff and residents must have clear, unobstructed escape routes at all times. This means no locked doors, no cluttered stairwells, and no blocked exits.

6. Train your team
Everyone working in your takeaway should know what to do in a fire. Fire safety training, including extinguisher use and evacuation procedures, is essential — especially in high-risk environments like commercial kitchens.

How ESI: Fire Safety Can Help

At ESI: Fire Safety, we work with takeaway owners to carry out detailed fire risk assessments that consider the unique layout and use of their premises. We understand the extra responsibilities that come with having living accommodation above a business, and we’ll help you meet your legal obligations with confidence.

Our services include:

• Fire risk assessments for mixed-use buildings
• Maintenance checks for alarms and emergency lighting
• Fire extinguisher servicing to BS 5306
• Fire separation advice and inspection
• Staff fire safety and marshal training

We make fire safety straightforward — and we never cut corners.

Take Fire Safety Seriously Before It’s Too Late

If you run or manage a takeaway, especially one with living accommodation above it, fire safety must be a top priority. The risks are real, but with the right advice, systems, and training in place, they can be managed.

Don’t wait for an inspection or an incident to highlight the gaps in your fire safety. Take action today.

Contact ESI: Fire Safety for expert support that protects people, property, and your peace of mind.