On October 5th, a food truck caught on fire off of I-90 near Hoffman Estates, IL. Nearby traffic lanes were closed for more than an hour as first responders attended to the engulfed vehicle.
Reduce the Risk of Food Truck Fires
While there is no way to eliminate the risk of fire within a food truck, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of harm to individuals and damage to the vehicle.
ANSUL System – Professionally Installed and Maintained
Food trucks must be equipped with a professionally installed ANSUL fire suppression system that includes a remote manual pull station and automatic gas shutoff valve, Class K and Class ABC fire extinguishers, and a proper ventilation system. Semi-annual inspections and re-tagging must be performed on the ANSUL system by a licensed fire safety company. Food truck employees should also be trained on how to properly use the fire safety equipment in case of an emergency.
To reduce the risk of a fire hazard, food trucks should position themselves at least 10 feet away from any building, structure, vehicle, or combustible material. Additionally, all fuel tanks should be amply filled to ensure there will be enough fuel to last for the duration of the food truck’s operating hours. Any fuel refills must be done outside of operating hours.
Other things to keep in mind include not storing fuel above any heat-producing appliance or vent and keeping fuel at least 3 feet away from cooking appliances. Be sure to leave room for fire department vehicles to access fire hydrants as well as fire lanes.
For more information on food truck safety, you can access the NFPA Food Truck Safety Fact Sheet.
References:
Fox 32 Chicago – I-90 Food Truck Fire
Daily Herald – Food Truck engulfed by flames on I-90 in Hoffman Estates
NFPA.org – Food Truck Safety