The Importance Of Fire Safety For Hotels
In any public or commercial building and workplace fire safety is both a moral and legal requirement and responsibility – and nowhere is that more important than in buildings such as hotels or bed and breakfast accommodations! The legal requirements are set out in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 – this directive clearly identifies the minimum mandatory requirements regarding fire safety practices and measures that all these buildings MUST have implemented. Here are some important aspects of fire safety in hotels and across the hospitality industry:
Fire Safety
The UK Government states that these stringent fire safety laws MUST be applied in any venue that has paying guests staying within the accommodation – these guidelines include a fire risk assessment to be performed and recorded along with a timetable of review dates and procedures to ensure that all regulations are persistently upheld. These fire risk assessments will identify any areas of fire safety that may need updating, improving, or replacing – any breach of these rules can result in fines, imprisonment but, more importantly, potential personal injury to guests and staff, and even loss of life!
Benefits
Implementing the recommended fire safety precautions and procedures will help you prevent the aforementioned potential fines and prosecutions but will also greatly reduce the risk of potentially expensive property damage and the all-important personal safety in the event of a fire outbreak. From a corporate business point of view, a hotel, or B&B, that has visible and licensed fire safety measures in place will be a far more attractive proposition for potential customers and guests, knowing that their personal safety has been considered and catered for. Prevention of a fire outbreak is always preferable to having to deal with an actual outbreak event, so a comprehensive fire risk assessment and the implementation of the correct safety equipment and strategic evacuation plans are of paramount importance.
Improvements and Recommendations
One of the major items in helping the prevention of a fire spreading in the event of an outbreak is the installation of fire doors – these specifically designed and manufactured doors will contain any fire outbreak in the area it occurs, and prevent the spread to any adjoining rooms or areas, of all the harmful fire aspects such as flame itself, heat, and the potentially toxic smoke. These commercial fire doors will help buy valuable time for a safe evacuation of the building and will minimise damage to the building itself whilst wating for the fire services to arrive to extinguish the outbreak professionally.
Emergency lighting should be installed that highlight the approved escape routes and help guide guests to safety – there should also be a fully tested and approved smoke detection system in place with the appropriate fire alarm to alert guests in the event of a fire outbreak. Fire-fighting equipment – extinguishers, smoke blankets and such – should be installed and placed in the appropriate strategic places around the building, and all these fire safety items should be regularly tested and maintained.
Training
Staff training sessions should be organised and delivered on a regular basis, and all new starters should have this training included in their induction process when joining the company – fire drills should be performed regularly, and fire wardens appointed for each area of the building.
Enfield Doors – for bespoke and commercial fire doors
Enfield Doors, are an established bespoke door manufacturers in the UK trading for many years and manufacturing doors of all types to every environment across industry and the home. Their knowledgeable and experienced staff can advise you on all aspects of soundproof doors including manufacture, installation, maintenance and security. If you would like further information on our company, please contact us and we will respond as quickly as possible. We look forward to helping you.
