Andrea Beess und Chrostin, 50, pleaded guilty to one charge of failing to maintain fire-fighting appliances at the Beess & Co cafe.

The problem came to light after a small kitchen fire left one of her employees with minor burns on April 2 last year.

A quick-witted staff member was forced to run to a neighbouring business for a fire extinguisher after the extinguishers at Beess & Co failed to work.

But the ACT Magistrates Court heard Beess und Chrostin had immediately arranged to fix problems with the cafe's fire equipment before there was ''even a whisper'' of a criminal charge.

Defence lawyer Peter Woodhouse said the fire occurred on Saturday but by Tuesday his client had organised to buy new fire extinguishers and arranged fire training for herself and her staff.

He said Beess und Chrostin had worked in the restaurant business for more than 20 years and did not realise that fire extinguishers could expire.

Mr Woodhouse said his client had learnt a lot about her fire safety responsibilities as an owner and had hired contractors to inspect and maintain the fire equipment at the cafe.

''Every other aspect of the business is conducted perfectly, including food safety,'' he said.

The court heard the Austrian-born Beess und Chrostin had been in Australia since 1983, setting up Beess & Co with a business partner in 2003. Mr Woodhouse said his client had exceptional character references and asked the court not to impose a conviction.

The prosecution said while it was encouraging that Beess und Chrostin had taken steps to correct the situation, she should be convicted and fined to deter other business owners from committing the same offence.

Magistrate Peter Dingwall said he was concerned that it took 12 months for investigators to lay charges against Beess und Chrostin.

He said there was a very clear reason why businesses needed to maintain fire equipment and Beess und Chrostin had taken the matter very seriously.

Mr Dingwall proceeded without recording a conviction and dismissed the charge.