Every hotel development company should be well versed in the fire safety regulations that apply to their industry. Hotel fires can cause extensive damage, not only to the property itself but also to the people and businesses inside.
To protect your guests, employees, staff, and investment, it is crucial to be up-to-date on the latest safety codes and requirements. This piece will provide an overview of hotels' most important fire safety regulations.
Fire Safety Plan Before Constructing the Hotel
During the construction of your hotel, you must be sure that fire safety is kept in mind throughout each step.
Here are the fire safety elements to consider:
Fireproofed Stairs
It is essential to fireproof your steps to prevent fire from travelling up the stairwell.
Fire-resistant stairs can significantly reduce fire damage, saving you a lot of money on repairs and preventing injuries or death that could have occurred due to fire.
Fire Doors
A fire door is an integral part of any hotel's safety plan. They must be fire resistant and allow for an easy escape when opened.
Hotel fire doors often feature special hinges that work smoothly without getting stuck or damaged from interference when opening them during an emergency.
Fire curtain walls work by limiting the spread of fires. It is used in front windows or across exit openings, so they form a barrier that prevents fire from spreading further into another area within your building's walls.
Fire Blankets
The fire blanket is another fire safety item found in hotel rooms. It must be fire-retarded and easily accessible to employees and guests.
Fire blankets' purpose is to extinguish small fires, such as those caused by faulty electrical appliances.
Fire Extinguishers
A fire extinguisher provides temporary protection against small fires. It is vital to have portable fire extinguishers in an easy-to-reach location in case of fire but must also be out of the way enough to prevent guests from knocking them over accidentally.
Fire Sprinkler Systems
Fire sprinklers prevent large fires from becoming even bigger or more destructive through a water spray triggered by heat detection.
These systems can work well in conjunction with other fire safety elements, such as fire steel doors and fire safety plans, to maximise everyone’s protection.
Fire Alarms
A fire or smoke alarm system is needed for almost every building. A fire alarm notifies everyone inside when there has been a fire to evacuate safely or put it out if necessary.
Traditionally, fire alarms are installed with manual pull stations next to doors so that anyone trapped inside can raise the alarm and get help quickly. However, some modern systems use wireless sensors instead of cables for inputting information into their computerised detection devices.
Hotel Fire Safety Regulations During Operation
Once your hotel has been built and occupied, you must conduct a fire risk assessment inside and outside the building to identify the potential causes of fire such as faulty smoke detectors. This will allow you to address the hazards and ensure your guests, employees, and property are safe.
Fire Protection Systems
You must ensure that both active and passive fire protection system installed during construction remains in good working order.
Active fire protection systems include fire alarms, fire extinguishers, and fire sprinklers. This equipment needs to be triggered by smoke or actual flames to activate.
On the other hand, passive fire prevention refers to fire doors and fireproofed stairs. They are built into the building structure and work instantly to prevent fire from spreading, trapping guests inside, or compromising the structure of the building.
A qualified fire prevention expert should inspect each system at least once per year to function correctly.
It is also vital that every staff remains familiar with the fire safety standards and how each system works in case of emergency to act fast. Regular fire safety training can also be beneficial.
Map Fire Routes
It is recommended that fire safety maps are posted throughout your hotel to allow guests to see the fire safety plan in case of fire easily. These maps should be located next to smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and fire doors. Each location where a fire safety element is installed should have a map nearby so guests can find their way out safely.
The fire safety map should include an evacuation plan, outline all possible escape routes, and include valuable building information, such as stairwells covered by fire curtains or unique ventilation systems.
Guest Safety Measures
For hotels where guests will be sleeping or gathering for many hours, it is essential to ensure fire safety measures are in place to prevent fire from trapping guests inside.
This includes fire doors that close automatically and fire alarm systems with manual pull stations that can be accessed easily even if the building or guest room is dark or smoke-filled.
It is also necessary to make sure fire extinguishers are nearby, and fireproofed steps help guests escape quickly if necessary.
Fire Safety For Your Hotel Guests
Fire safety regulations for hotels should start from the construction of the building and continue up until it operates. Hotel owners must be sure to keep these fire safety tips in mind.
Hotel fires can happen to anyone, so it's essential to be as prepared as possible.
Remember, early fire detection and prevention is always better than cure. Ensure your building has the necessary hotel fire safety systems and follow through with regular fire safety checks.