Over the last few years the mobile food truck phenomenon has hit popularity highs, with cities and towns holding weekly food truck meet ups where mobile restaurant owners can showcase their menus to the public. Food trucks are becoming so popular, so quickly that local governments are working double time to play catch up in order to create and regulate safety protocols for these mobile restaurants. There are several aspects they need to regulate – food handling and safety guidelines, cleaning guidelines, ventilations guidelines, etc. With all of the equipment required to operate the food truck you run an extremely high risk of fire, and it is imperative that you take preventative measures to prevent these fires from occurring.

When you are first setting up your food truck you will more than likely find the need to install a ventilated exhaust system in your truck. These exhaust systems are designed to pull smoke and debris from the interior of the truck. They also help collecting oil and grease that accumulates when cooking. An unclean hood system is not only unsanitary, but can also lead to fires inside of your food truck. It is highly recommended that you regularly have your hood system professionally cleaned and inspected to ensure proper functionality. If your food truck is being used frequently it is required by the NFPA that your exhaust system is inspected at least quarterly.

Almost all local and state governments will require a fire suppression system to be installed in your food truck. Fire suppression systems are used to disperse flame suppressant chemicals if / when a fire is detected. They also work to cut off any fuel or electricity supplies to local equipment in order to prevent the spreading of the fire. Maintaining the fire suppression system is crucial in order to ensure proper functionality, and it is highly recommended that you get the system professionally installed semi-annually.

In addition to cleaning and maintenance of your exhaust hood and fire suppression systems it is recommended to keep fire extinguisher within easy reach in your kitchen. Food trucks should be equipped with an easy to reach Class K fire extinguisher, which are designed and rated to put out fires resulting from grease and oil, as these substances burn at much higher temperatures. HoodMart provides our customers with a wide range of exhaust hood systems - from Compensating (Short Cycle) to Perforated Supply Plenum PSP - as well as all exhaust hood accessories such as hood filters, canopy hood lights, and curbs. If you still have questions regarding the purchase of your hood system please feel free to contact one of our experts today by calling us at 1.800.715.1014 or by contacting us through our live chat system.