CO2 Requirements Checklist for New Restaurant Owners
If you're a new restaurateur who needs guidance on how to make your business CO2 compliant, here's an easy-to-follow checklist on how to ensure a safe environment for you, your workers, and customers.
As a new restaurant owner, ensuring your facility meets both local and national CO2 safety regulations is essential for creating a safe environment for your staff and customers. If you’ve received a notice from your city’s fire marshal regarding CO2 compliance, it may be a requirement to install a CO2 monitoring system or your business operations may be halted.
Navigating the complexities of CO2 compliance can be overwhelming, but as leaders in the field, we’ve put together this comprehensive checklist to guide you through the necessary steps. Our expert team is here to provide the support and knowledge you need to ensure your restaurant or bar is fully compliant and safe.
Use this checklist to confidently navigate the CO2 compliance process for your business:
1. Understand Local Regulations
Check Local Codes: Review your local fire and health codes to understand specific CO2 safety requirements for restaurants.
Not all CO2 storage quantities require monitoring compliance, but four main codes—IFC, NFPA 55, NBIC, and CGA G-6—apply. The enforcing jurisdiction (AHJ) determines which code applies, and all state that an operational permit is needed for storing, using, or handling over 100 pounds of compressed gases at normal temperature and pressure.
NOTE: Additional equipment, such as adequate ventilation systems, may be required per code and jurisdictional requirements.
2. Install a CO2 Monitoring System
Choose the Right CO2 Monitoring System: Select a CO2 monitoring system that fits your restaurant’s size and layout. The Aerosphere® line offers a ready-made kit with customizable and expandable options to meet your specific needs. With additional devices like the Aerosphere® CO2 Bulk Tank Solenoid Shut-off Valve and the Aerosphere® Level Indication Unit (LIU), the system ensures fail-safe operation and allows for remote CO2 tank fill level tracking.
Ensure Correct Placement: Install CO2 monitors in critical areas such as kitchens, storage rooms, and dining spaces where CO2 may accumulate. Our team can assist in designing a custom solution that meets your jurisdiction’s code requirements. If you don’t have a floor plan, we can create one and ensure proper monitor placement from the start.
Ensure Compatibility: If applicable, confirm that your CO2 monitoring system integrates with your fire alarm and ventilation systems to trigger alarms when CO2 levels exceed safe limits. The Aerosphere® systems can easily integrate with fire alarms and are backwards compatible with older sensors for seamless connectivity.
3. Calibrate and Maintain Your CO2 Monitoring System
Set Correct Thresholds: Ensure that your alarm thresholds are correctly set to meet local requirements and alert you when CO2 levels become unsafe. The Aerosphere® system’s default thresholds are configured at 5,000 PPM, 15,000 PPM, and 30,000 PPM for optimal safety.
NOTE: Keep in mind that some Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) may require different thresholds; the Aerosphere® system is fully customizable to meet specific needs.
Test the System: Schedule regular recertifications and test your CO2 monitors using a CO2 test kit to ensure accuracy. Perform routine maintenance with the Aerosphere® CO2 Test Kit to confirm sensors are clean, functional, and operating effectively.
4. Ensure Ventilation is Adequate
Install Ventilation Systems: Ensure your restaurant has the appropriate HVAC systems in place to provide proper ventilation and maintain CO2 levels within safe limits.
NOTE: While ventilation may not always be a code requirement, it’s crucial for safety.
Verify Air Circulation: Regularly check that air circulation systems are working efficiently to prevent CO2 buildup in the kitchen or dining areas.
5. Training and Education
Staff Training: Educate your staff on the physical and mental symptoms of CO2 buildup, such as dizziness or shortness of breath, and ensure they are trained on how to respond during a CO2 emergency. Your CO2 alarm system provides visual and auditory alerts as it detects each threshold level. Ensure staff are also familiar with the advisory and warning signage in your facility, including the NFPA 704 CO2 hazmat sign.
CO2 Safety Protocols: Implement clear emergency procedures for CO2 leaks, including building evacuation and contacting emergency services promptly.
6. Create an Emergency Plan
Emergency Evacuation Procedures: Ensure your restaurant has an emergency evacuation plan in place that includes procedures for CO2-related incidents.
Coordinate with Local Authorities: Work with local fire marshals and AHJs (Authorities Having Jurisdiction) to verify compliance and ensure you have the correct emergency plans in place.
7. Documentation and Record-Keeping
Maintain CO2 System Logs: Keep a log of system tests, maintenance, and inspections, including calibration records and any repairs or upgrades performed on your CO2 monitoring system.
Track Compliance Inspections: Keep documentation for all compliance inspections, as local authorities may request it.
8. Monitor CO2 Levels Regularly
Daily Checks: Ensure your staff checks CO2 levels daily to ensure they’re within safe ranges.
Automated Alerts: Set up your CO2 monitoring system to send automatic alerts if levels exceed safe thresholds.
By following this checklist, you can ensure that your restaurant complies with CO2 safety regulations and provides a safe environment for both your team and your customers.
CO2 Monitoring, LLC is the creator of the Aerosphere® CO2 gas detection sensors and monitoring kits, designed to provide reliable, accurate, and customizable solutions for CO2 safety compliance. We manufacture our own line of high-quality, best-selling products and offer expert services, including system design, installation, ongoing maintenance, and recertification. Our team of knowledgeable professionals is dedicated to ensuring your restaurant or business meets local and national CO2 safety regulations, helping you maintain a safe environment for your staff and customers. From initial setup to long-term service, we are committed to supporting you every step of the way in achieving full CO2 compliance.
