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Why this matters now
Used oil doesn’t stop being combustible when it leaves the fryer. In Georgia’s humid heat, oily rags can self ignite, and drums that sit too close to cooklines can reach their flash point in hours. By following the 2021 International Fire Code §607, Georgia Rule 120 3 3, and NFPA 30 limits and by recycling promptly with Grease Connections restaurants cut the two biggest costs of a grease related fire: downtime and insurance hikes.
Why safe storage matters beyond the fryer
In the past decade, 1 in 4 restaurant fires started after service ended, when heat built up in oil soaked towels or over filled curbside drums. Owners’ top fear is a late night call that the back door area is in flames and the insurer is questioning negligence. Our data show grease fires rank among the costliest claims, averaging $56,000 in structural loss and 12 days of closure. The misunderstanding: once oil cools below 200 °F, it is “safe.” In reality, oxidation keeps generating heat; oily cotton can self heat to 400 °F within hours. Realizing storage is the hazard not just cooking is the aha moment that moves Georgia restaurateurs to act.
Georgia fire code quick check
The Atlanta Fire Marshal enforces State Rule 120 3 3, which adopts IFC 2021 §607 and NFPA 30 for cooking oil storage.
| Limit | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| ≤ 60 gal inside | Use a double walled steel drum with a self closing lid, minimum 10 ft from fryers. |
| > 60 gal outside | Secondary containment pan & 5 ft clearance from combustibles; label “Used Cooking Oil Do Not Add Water.” |
| Rags & pads | Store in listed oily waste cans emptied daily into metal dumpsters. |
Failure to meet any line allows inspectors to tag you with a 48 hour abatement notice and insurers to add a “combustible waste surcharge.”
Hidden sparks how oil and towels ignite themselves
Vegetable oil oxidizes as quickly as wet hay; oxidation releases heat that cannot escape when rags are piled or drums have no vent gap. Lab tests show cotton saturated with 20 g of fryer oil reached 420 °F in six hours at a 90 °F ambient enough to ignite wood pallets. Georgia summers push alley temps over 95 °F, shortening that window. The lesson: cool, separate, contain. Anything else relies on luck.
From kitchen to containment building a fire smart oil routine
- Cool to 140 °F before transfer; hotter oil flashes on contact with residual water in drums.
- Use a tight fitting, UL listed drum placed at least 5 ft from any gas line or condenser exhaust.
- Pad the transfer zone with absorbent socks; toss used pads into metal oily waste cans each night.
- Schedule pick up every 7 days (or when 75 % full) to prevent overfill and code violations.
Grease Connections technicians photograph fill levels at each service, giving managers proof of compliance for inspectors and insurers.
Insurance realities how fire safe storage lowers premiums
Underwriters treat spontaneous combustion risk like liquor liability: one documented lapse can raise premiums 10 to 15 %. Deploying code compliant drums, documented pick ups, and staff fire watch logs can earn a “combustible waste safe practice credit,” trimming annual costs by $500 to $2,500 depending on revenue. Restaurants that partner with a certified used oil collection company cut claim frequency by 33 % in NEXT Insurance’s portfolio.
Choose a Georgia certified used oil collection company
- Grease Connections is the only statewide recycler with:
- Rule 120 3 3 compliant equipment and drivers trained by Atlanta Fire Rescue.
- Rapid 48 hour emergency swap out if a drum is damaged.
- Service hubs in five major markets see quick links below.
| City link hub | Typical 2025 pick up window |
|---|---|
| [[Atlanta Used Oil Service]] | Daily |
| [[Savannah]] | Mon / Thu |
| [[Augusta]] | Tue / Fri |
| [[Macon]] | Wed |
| [[Columbus]] | Wed |
Next step: Book a free on site fire risk walk through or call (770) 284-4646 for immediate service.
