Restaurants & licensing
Restaurant fuel fire safety: LPG, town gas, electricity and charcoal
Before choosing restaurant fuel, check the kitchen location, storage and ventilation. Understand basement restrictions and why dining-area cooking needs a separate review.
Quick answers
What should I check before switching to electric cooking?
Ask the team to review the new appliances against the layout, ventilation, fire equipment and licence conditions. Have an appropriate specialist confirm the electrical capacity and installation arrangements.
Legal information
Requirements vary by premises. Confirm the work with the responsible professional using the premises use, approved plans, licence conditions and any written directions.
Review fuel together with the kitchen location
FSD's restaurant fuel guidance prohibits LPG in basement kitchens. Electricity, town gas and other fuels each have conditions of use. Confirm which fuel is suitable for the premises before ordering cooking equipment.
Mark each appliance's model, fuel and intended position on the plan, including whether it is beside customers. This gives the project team a practical basis for reviewing installation, storage and specialist responsibilities.
Include storage, extraction and supply arrangements
Solid fuels such as charcoal can bring chimney and emission issues into the project. FSD's fuel guidance notes that approval from the Environmental Protection Department may be needed for smoke emissions from certain fuels.
When comparing options, ask suppliers to explain delivery routes, storage and cleaning access. The quotations should identify who will carry out the fire, gas and electrical work, along with the tests and documents each will provide.
Review changes before adding or replacing appliances
Kitchen cooking, dining-area warming, hotpot tables and outdoor seating may have different requirements. Before adding an appliance, check the permitted fuel, its position and the fire equipment needed for that particular area.
For a proposed change, provide the licensed layout, equipment details and photos, and request a list of affected items. Allow time for any testing and documentation before fixing the reopening date.
Practical checklist
- Check whether the kitchen is in a basement
- List every appliance and fuel
- Distinguish kitchen, dining and outdoor positions
- Describe fuel storage and delivery
- Review extraction, emissions and specialist work
Discuss fire work for a restaurant cooking change
Share appliance models, fuel and locations, including any proposed switch to electricity, charcoal cooking or hotpot equipment.
- Review the impact on fire installations
- Coordinate fit-out, ventilation and gas teams
- Define tests, documents and the works quotation
Official sources
The official documents below provide the full requirements and any updates.
Related reading
Restaurant fire safety in Hong Kong: planning, fit-out and licensing
What fire work does a restaurant need? Prepare the premises details, cooking plan, issued requirements and inspection records before arranging a survey and quotation.
Read articleRestaurant ventilation fire requirements: controls, tests and records
Ventilation equipment must respond to fire signals as its design requires. This guide explains how the fire and ventilation contractors coordinate that response, and what to prepare before closing ceilings, testing and handover.
Read articleTeppanyaki fire requirements: fuel, gas shut-off and project planning
Opening a teppanyaki restaurant or adding a counter? Review fuel restrictions, secure installation and gas or electrical documentation before coordinating the fire works.
Read articleRELATED SERVICE
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Share the premises, proposed scope and timing. For tender enquiries, include the brief and submission deadline. Available drawings and recent reports help us review the work; you can contact us before everything is ready.
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