Checklist template

Propane and patio heater safety for restaurants

A ready-to-use checklist with 114 items in 6 sections, covering Cylinder storage, Heater condition, Placement and clearance, Lighting and shutdown, Training, Emergency response. Use it as-is in Bindy, or adapt it to your own standards in minutes.

  • 6 Sections
  • 114 Items
  • 97 Yes / No checks
  • 6 Scored ratings
  • 127 Points

Use this template How audits work

1. Cylinder storage 19 items

  1. Spare and empty propane cylinders are stored outdoors, never inside the restaurant, a basement or an enclosed patio Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Cylinders not in use are kept in a ventilated metal cage Yes / No 1 pt
  3. The cylinder cage was locked at the time of the visit Yes / No 1 pt
  4. The cage stands on a firm, level, non-combustible base Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Stored cylinders are upright Yes / No 1 pt
  6. The valves of stored cylinders are closed, including on empty cylinders Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Disconnected cylinders have a plug or cap on the valve outlet Yes / No 1 pt
  8. The cage is at the distance from doors, windows and air intakes required by the local fire code Yes / No 1 pt
  9. The cage is at the distance set by company policy from the smoking area, grills, electrical panels and dumpsters Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Bollards or a curb protect the cage where vehicles park or deliver nearby Yes / No 1 pt
  11. The cage carries "No smoking" and flammable gas signs Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Full and empty cylinders are separated and marked Yes / No 1 pt
  13. No cylinder shows dents, heavy rust or a damaged collar or foot ring Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Each cylinder is within the requalification date stamped on its collar Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Propane cylinders on site, including those connected to heaters Number
  16. The quantity of propane stored is within the limit of the local fire code or company policy Yes / No 1 pt
  17. No cardboard, pallets, linen or other combustibles are stored in or against the cage Yes / No 1 pt
  18. Cylinders are delivered and exchanged by the approved supplier, not carried in employees' vehicles Yes / No 1 pt
  19. Condition of cylinder storage Rating
    • Secure, signed and clear 5 pts
    • Minor lapses 3 pts
    • Cylinders unsecured or stored indoors 1 pt

2. Heater condition 21 items

  1. Patio heaters on site Number
  2. Patio heaters tagged out of service Number
  3. Each heater has a legible rating plate Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Each heater carries a certification mark for outdoor use from a recognized testing laboratory Yes / No 1 pt
  5. The base of each heater is weighted or anchored as the manufacturer requires Yes / No 1 pt
  6. No heater wobbles when pushed lightly at shoulder height Yes / No 1 pt
  7. The reflector hood is undamaged and firmly attached Yes / No 1 pt
  8. The burner screen is free of holes, soot and insect nests Yes / No 1 pt
  9. The flame is steady and mostly blue, with no soot on the reflector Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Gas hoses are free of cracks, abrasion and kinks Yes / No 1 pt
  11. No hose touches a hot surface Yes / No 1 pt
  12. The regulator is undamaged and firmly connected Yes / No 1 pt
  13. A soapy water leak test done on one heater during the visit showed no bubbles Yes / No 1 pt
  14. The tip-over switch shuts the heater off when tested as the manufacturer describes Yes / No 1 pt
  15. The service record shows that the flame-failure device of each heater was tested at the last service Yes / No 1 pt
  16. The door of the cylinder compartment closes and the cylinder is strapped or seated firmly Yes / No 1 pt
  17. The glass tube and guard of pyramid or tabletop heaters are uncracked and in place Yes / No 1 pt
  18. Damaged heaters are tagged "Do not use" and removed from the patio Yes / No 1 pt
  19. Each heater has a record of service by a qualified technician within the interval set by company policy Yes / No 1 pt
  20. Date of the last heater service by a technician Date
  21. Condition of the heaters in use Rating
    • All in good condition 5 pts
    • Minor defects not affecting safety 3 pts
    • Unsafe heater in use 1 pt

3. Placement and clearance 19 items

  1. Heaters fixed to walls, posts or ceilings are firmly mounted, with their guards in place Yes / No 1 pt
  2. No heater is used inside a tent or a patio closed in with plastic walls, unless the unit is approved for it Yes / No 1 pt
  3. The clearance above the reflector to awnings, ceilings and sprinkler heads meets the manufacturer's minimum Yes / No 1 pt
  4. The side clearance to walls, railings, plants and curtains meets the manufacturer's minimum Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Smallest clearance measured between a heater and a combustible material (in or cm) Number
  6. No heater stands under an open umbrella or within reach of its fabric Yes / No 1 pt
  7. No heater blocks an exit, an exit path or a ramp Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Heaters stand outside the aisles used by servers Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Each heater stands on level, hard ground Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Table linen, menus and paper decorations are out of the heater's clearance zone Yes / No 1 pt
  11. No seat is closer to a heater than the distance set by the manufacturer or company policy Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Heaters are at the distance from building openings and air intakes required by the local fire code Yes / No 1 pt
  13. A patio plan shows the approved number and positions of heaters Yes / No 1 pt
  14. The positions of the heaters match the patio plan Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Employees asked knew to turn the heaters off when the wind exceeds the manufacturer's limit Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Extension cords and string lights do not touch the heaters Yes / No 1 pt
  17. No seasonal decoration is hung on or tied to a heater Yes / No 1 pt
  18. The fire department permit or approval for patio heaters is on file where local regulation requires one Yes / No 1 pt
  19. Placement of heaters on the patio Rating
    • All within clearances and on plan 5 pts
    • 1 heater out of position 3 pts
    • Several heaters too close to combustibles or exits 1 pt

4. Lighting and shutdown 18 items

  1. The manufacturer's lighting instructions are on each heater or laminated at the patio station Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Only authorized employees light or adjust the heaters; guests do not Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Heaters are lit with the built-in igniter or a long-reach lighter Yes / No 1 pt
  4. After a failed ignition, the employee waits the time stated by the manufacturer before trying again Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Before the first lighting of the day, each heater is checked for hose damage, wobble and gas smell Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Cylinders are changed outdoors with the heater off and cool Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Cylinders are changed away from guests, smokers and lit heaters Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Each new connection is leak-tested with soapy water before the heater is lit Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Each cylinder change and leak test is recorded Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Heaters are not moved while lit Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Heaters cool down before they are moved or covered Yes / No 1 pt
  12. At closing, the control knob is off and the cylinder valve is closed on every heater Yes / No 1 pt
  13. The closing checklist has a line for heater shutdown, signed on each of the last 7 days Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Heaters are turned off in patio sections that are closed to guests Yes / No 1 pt
  15. The cylinder is removed before a heater is taken indoors for storage Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Empty cylinders go back to the cage right after a change and are not left on the patio Yes / No 1 pt
  17. A heater is not lit when gas can be smelled around it Yes / No 1 pt
  18. Lighting and shutdown shown by an employee during the visit Rating
    • Every step correct 5 pts
    • Correct with prompting 3 pts
    • Unsafe steps 1 pt

5. Training 15 items

  1. A written patio heater procedure is kept on site Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Every employee who lights heaters or changes cylinders has a training record Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Employees authorized to light heaters and change cylinders Number
  4. Date of the last patio heater training session Date
  5. The training includes a hands-on cylinder change and leak test Yes / No 1 pt
  6. A refresher is given before each patio season Yes / No 1 pt
  7. The list of authorized employees is posted at the patio station or in the manager's office Yes / No 1 pt
  8. An employee asked could describe how to do a leak test Yes / No 1 pt
  9. An employee asked could describe the smell of propane and what to do on noticing it Yes / No 1 pt
  10. An employee asked knew that propane is heavier than air and collects in low spots Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Minors are not assigned to change cylinders, per company policy Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Managers are trained to carry out the daily heater check Yes / No 1 pt
  13. The safety data sheet for propane is on file Yes / No 1 pt
  14. The cylinder supplier's safe handling instructions are posted at the cage Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Knowledge of the employees questioned Rating
    • All answered correctly 5 pts
    • Some gaps 3 pts
    • Most could not answer 1 pt

6. Emergency response 22 items

  1. A written procedure for a gas leak or heater fire is posted at the patio station Yes / No 1 pt
  2. The procedure tells employees to close the cylinder valve only if it is safe to reach Yes / No 1 pt
  3. The procedure tells employees to move guests away and remove ignition sources Yes / No 1 pt
  4. The procedure tells employees to call the fire department from a safe distance Yes / No 1 pt
  5. A fire extinguisher rated for flammable liquid and gas fires (class B) is mounted on or next to the patio Yes / No 1 pt
  6. The extinguisher's pressure gauge is in the green Yes / No 1 pt
  7. The extinguisher's inspection tag is current Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Date on the extinguisher's last inspection tag Date
  9. Employees asked knew not to put out a gas fire unless the gas supply can be shut off Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Patio exits and gates are unlocked during service Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Patio exits and gates are free of furniture, heaters and planters Yes / No 1 pt
  12. The propane supplier's emergency number is displayed on the cage Yes / No 1 pt
  13. A first aid kit with burn dressings can be reached from the patio Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Heater tip-overs, flare-ups, burns and leaks are recorded as incidents Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Heater or propane incidents recorded in the last 12 months Number
  16. Each recorded incident shows the corrective action taken Yes / No 1 pt
  17. A heater involved in an incident stays out of service until a technician has inspected it Yes / No 1 pt
  18. The patio is included in the restaurant's evacuation plan Yes / No 1 pt
  19. Patio findings from the last fire department or insurer inspection have been corrected Yes / No 1 pt
  20. Name of the manager on duty Short text
  21. Overall control of propane and patio heater safety Rating
    • Cylinders secured, heaters sound and placed to plan, employees trained 5 pts
    • Safe to operate, with lapses in records, signs or training 3 pts
    • Unsafe heater, storage or placement found 1 pt
  22. Corrective actions required Comments

About this template

This checklist is part of the Bindy template library. Yes / No checks score 1 point when met; ratings score the points shown for each option. The overall score is the percentage of points earned, with N/A answers excluded. In Bindy you can add photos, assign corrective actions, require sign-off and compare results across sites.

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