MIT EHS Propane Cooking Safety Plan Template

A safety plan and review shall be completed for any cooking equipment that is fueled by propane. Both the MIT event sponsor and the caterer will:

1.Review the safety guidelines and their responsibilities on

2.Ensure that one of the caterer’s employeesoperates the propane cooking equipment. This employee must have documented training as required by 527 CMR 6.04 (section 4.4). An MIT faculty, staff, or student should not be hired as the caterer.

3.Modify thesafety plantemplate below for your event and send to

4.Complete the EHS review and update the safety plan.The responsible person from the catering company will sign the last page of the safety plan.

5.A Cambridge Fire Dept. fire fighter detail is required for a propane tank with a capacity of 42 pounds (10 gallons) or more, or for use of 2 or more pieces ofcooking equipment, regardless of propane tank capacity. If your event meets the criteria, the EHS safety program member will send the finalized safety plan to the fire prevention bureau liaison.

6.MIT Event planner/sponsor (not the caterer) mustuse the Cambridge Fire Dept. websiteto schedule a fire fighter detail for propane cooking equipment. Include your MIT account number in the comment section. The fire dept. no longer allows other scheduling or payment methods.

  1. If your caterer will only cook with one 20 lb. propane tank, then
  2. The caterer could use this plan as a checklist when setting up the equipment

Note:

SAFETY PROPOSAL REQUIRED FOR OBTAINING APPROVAL TO USE PROPANE FOR COOKING AT MIT

MIT Dept/Lab/Center or Student Organization (insert name and email)

Caterer or vendor (insert name and email)

Safety plan for (insert date of event; start and end time; location)

The Caterer has agreed to the precautions described below to safely use

  • number of grills/ griddles/ stoves
  • Total number of propane tanks at # lbs each
  • Total Pounds of propane

Deep fat fryers are prohibited because the required automatic fire protection system can’t be set up temporarily.

Equipment Check:

  • Verify that the propane tanks and equipment meet current standards and are in good condition
  • An equipment technician from the rental company/ caterer will be on site to set-up and leak check the propane tanks, lines, and cooking equipment before cooking begins.
  • If the vendor doesn’t have a technician on itsstaff, then schedule an MIT plumber to leak check the propane equipment before cooking begins. Schedule the plumber via Atlas
  • CFD no longer allows tanks to be changed during an event, even if the MIT plumber or vendor’s technician will conduct a second leak check of the tanks, lines, and equipment to prevent gas leaks, fires and explosions.
  • No propane tanks or equipment will be stored or used inside any MIT building.

Cooking and General Safety

  • The rental company will provide a hose, which is a minimum of 10 feet long and has with quick disconnects for each of the propane tanks. The tank shall be kept at least five (5) feet away from the cooking equipment, as required by Cambridge Fire Department.
  • The cooking equipment and propane will be positioned at least 25 feet from the temporary food service tent and all Buildings. Refer to exception below.The cooking equipment and tents will not be nearexits, building air intakes orstreets. Use the campus map at indicate the location of the cooking equipment.
  • The equipment will be used a minimumof 1 foot away from any loose cloths or paper products.
  • The caterer will provide BC fire extinguishers, one for each cooking station. Do not removeextinguishers from any MIT building.
  • At no time will any grill or other cooking equipment be left unattended. We have scheduled [insert names] to be the firewatch. They are responsible for the cooking operations and propane tank(s) during the event.
  • Cooking appliances must be operated on a flat level surface.
  • Drip pans used under cooking appliances shall be non-combustible.
  • Wind blockers for cooking units shall be non-combustible.
  • The person signing this form will be responsible for checking that this safety plan is implemented throughout the event.

We agree that we need to make exceptions because of inclement weather as long as this can be done safely. The DLC and caterer will be responsible to ensure that all of these safety precautions are implemented:

  • The cooking tent dimensions will be at least 12 feet high canopy without sides. The cooking tent will be 25 feet away from tents and buildings.
  • No guests shall be allowed inside the cooking tent, which includes not serving food to guests. This is to keep guests away from the fire hazard.
  • No cooking equipment shall be used inside any tent that is occupied by guests.
  • The fire fighter detail will be stationed near the cooking equipment and the propane shut off valve for the entire time that the cooking equipment is being operated. They must have access to at least 2 fire extinguishers (BC).
  • Provide documentation that the tent complies with the fire retardant requirements of the Mass. Fire Prevention and Building Code.
  • Obtain the necessary building permit, which should be posted on site during the event.

Instructions and the link to submit the fire detail request, refer to

Contact the MIT Police to determine if you need to schedule a police detail.

I, _(type in the name of the responsible person from the caterer)_, have read and understand the above information, and will ensure that all safety guidelines are followed.

Signature (electronic or type name):______

Date:______

If approvals have been obtained via the Atlas event registration, then you do not need to obtain duplicate signatures.

DEPT. / CONTACT INFO / NAME (signature is optional), DATE & COMMENTS
MIT Police / x3-1212 W89
x3-9754 W20-020B (call first)
Fax 253-8822

Campus Activities Complex / X3-3913
W20-500
Signed when space is reserved
EHS Office
Safety Program / x2-3477 N52-496
fax 258-6831
/ Fire safety precautions will be implemented. Set up grills away from air intakes for buildings.
Grounds Services / x3-5001
W56
Fax 258-7490
/ We have submitted a request for Grounds Services to provide a garden hose and metal trash can.

10/02/2018

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