Is a Kitchen for Employees in Chennai Allowed? Seeking Advice on Rules and Licenses

Hi Everyone, I need some help over here, I work in Chennai for a UK based software company, they are planning to create a kitchen for all the employees to prepare their own food or reheat their food. The company wanted to know if there are rules or licenses to apply for to have this plan fulfilled.
I do not have an idea of these, can you all please help me?

Dear Mojoman911,

Kitchen Equipment and Electricity Considerations

How many new kitchens will be opened? What type of heating equipment will be used? If electric kitchen equipment like ovens or induction cookers will be used, then calculate the increase in electricity consumption per kitchen and the increase in the total load. After doing this, check the transformer capacity to see whether it can handle the additional load.

In case your company does not have an independent building, check with the builder about the total capacity of the transformer. Secondly, what if there is a power failure? Do you use a DG set? If yes, has the DG set supply been provided for 15 Amp electricity sockets as well? If yes, then check whether the DG set can handle the additional load.

LPG Cylinder Considerations

If you are going to use LPG cylinders, then all this calculation is not required. Nevertheless, you may approach a nearby hotel or restaurant to find out whether any statutory approvals are required for keeping more than a certain number of LPG cylinders. However, please note that you cannot have any cooking activity in the basement of the building.

Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar

Hi Dinesh,

Thank you so much for all of this information. To answer your questions, the plan is to open just one kitchen. The heating equipment types will be an induction stove, microwave oven, and LPG. Do we need to obtain approval or a license for these items? We are not selling any goods, just running a simple kitchen. The kitchen will be located on the 4th floor of the building independently, while the employee work areas will be on the 2nd and 3rd floors.

Thank you.

Dear Mojoman911,

Since it will be an in-house cooking activity, there is no need for any statutory approval. However, make sure that there is proper ventilation and a chimney is installed. Secondly, 15 Amp sockets should work only with normal electrical supply. Additionally, keep a small fire extinguisher on hand. Every three months, you must check whether the electrical grounding is working properly. Maintain records for the grounding check and the expiry of the fire extinguisher.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

Hi,

This is in response to the thoughts shared by the esteemed senior member, Dinesh. If the preparation of food is involved, as mentioned by you ("prepare their own food or reheat their food"), then you will be expected to apply for a catering license from the local civic body (corporation office). Alternatively, you may manage by stating that it is only a dining room where employees eat food brought from their homes. However, in the long run, it is advisable to obtain a license if the preparation of food is involved.