16 safety checks on every layout.
Each layout is scored across nine categories (workflow, food safety, fire safety, staff safety, cleaning access, storage, accessibility, ventilation and compliance) with UK and US terms side by side.
KitchenSpace Pro produces concept layouts and supports compliance by flagging risks early. It does not certify or approve a layout. Final sign-off rests with your local authority, health department or EHO, and qualified professionals.
Safety-first design checks
Sixteen checks built into every layout
Layout risks to review, using UK and US terms. The checklist supports professional review; it is not an inspection.
Raw / ready-to-eat separation
UK: zoned prep / US: separation of raw and ready-to-eat food
What it looks for: raw and cooked routes that cross, ready-to-eat prep next to raw.
Hand-wash basins
UK: wash-hand basin / US: handwashing sink
What it looks for: a basin within reach of prep, wash-up and dispensing areas, not shared with food sinks.
Extraction
UK: extraction canopy / US: Type I / Type II hood
What it looks for: cooking equipment without a canopy or hood over it.
Floors
UK: slip-resistant, easy-clean floor / US: smooth, easily cleanable floor
What it looks for: finishes and drainage in wet areas.
Wall finishes
UK: washable, impervious walls / US: smooth, easily cleanable walls
What it looks for: wall finishes in food rooms.
Floor-wall junctions
UK: coving / US: coved base
What it looks for: sealed junctions that can be cleaned.
Working space and aisles
UK: working space / US: aisles and circulation
What it looks for: pinch points and blocked routes.
Escape routes
UK: fire escape routes (fire risk assessment) / US: exit routes
What it looks for: exits that are blocked or too close together.
Fire suppression
UK: suppression over the cooking line / US: hood fire suppression
What it looks for: cooking lines without suppression.
Gas and power isolation
UK: gas interlock and isolation / US: fuel and power shutoff
What it looks for: shut-offs you can't reach without crossing the line.
Cleaning access
UK: cleaning access / US: spacing or sealing of equipment
What it looks for: equipment you can't clean around.
Temperature-controlled storage
UK: chilled and frozen storage / US: cold and hot holding capacity
What it looks for: not enough cold storage for the service.
Chemical storage
UK: cleaning chemicals away from food / US: poisonous or toxic materials separated
What it looks for: chemicals stored next to or above food.
Waste and pests
UK: bin store, grease separator / US: refuse, grease interceptor
What it looks for: waste routes and bin storage near food.
Accessible routes
UK: access (Part M in England) / US: ADA accessible routes
What it looks for: step-free routes for staff and customers.
Lighting and utilities
UK: adequate lighting / US: lighting levels, shielded bulbs
What it looks for: dark prep areas, unshielded lights over food.
AI Kitchen Layout Safety Checker
Every layout is scored against nine safety categories
Our AI checker reviews every generated design against commercial kitchen best practice. It helps identify risks, flags potential issues and supports compliance — so chefs, owners and consultants can iterate with confidence before the build starts.
Workflow
Food safety
Fire safety
Staff safety
Cleaning access
Storage
Accessibility
Ventilation
Compliance
Guidance only — supports compliance and helps identify risks. Final sign-off remains with your local authority and Environmental Health Officer.
Illustrative sample safety report
200-cover gastropub kitchen
82/100
Overall
Flagged for review
- •Hand-wash basin not within easy reach of prep
- •Raw food prep too close to ready-to-eat zone
- •Blocked or single fire exit
- •Dishwash flow crosses food handling
KitchenSpace Pro produces concept layouts and supports compliance by flagging risks early. It does not certify or approve a layout. Final sign-off rests with your local authority, health department or EHO, and qualified professionals.
UK and US, the right words for each
In the UK your layout goes to the Environmental Health Officer (EHO). In the US it goes through health department plan review. The checklist shows terms for both. Requirements vary by council, county and state.
What the checks are not
They're not an inspection, a certificate or an approval. They don't replace your fire risk assessment, building control, a mechanical engineer or a gas engineer. Requirements vary by council, county and state.