Fire Compartmentation in Hotels
Fire safety is a key concern for all hotel owners, managers and responsible persons. Due to the size of the building, multiple floor levels and amount of people they can hold at capacity there is a larger risk of mass damage and casualties that could lead to expensive insurance pay outs and potential criminal prosecution should the business be found negligent. It is essential for fire protection measures, such as compartmentation, be installed and maintained throughout the building alongside adequate fire-fighting equipment and a detailed fire evacuation plan.
What is the Purpose of Compartmentation?
Compartmentation is one of the key components to passive fire protection. It is achieved by sectioning buildings into separate ‘fire compartments’ with the use of fire doors, walls and floors made up of fire-resistant materials. Compartmentation is a current building regulation and British Standard requirement and is installed to:
- Prevent the spread of fire, smoke and toxic gas
- Breaks the building down into manageable areas of risk
- Contains the fire to provide time for occupants to safely evacuate the premises
The most common cause of death from fire is when people become overcome by smoke inhalation. Fire and rescue services reported 380 fire related casualties of which 34% of these were due to smoke and fumes. Sufficient fire compartmentation of hotels could be the difference between residents making it out of the building alive.
For buildings such as hotels where an escape route needs to be separated from the rest of the premises by fire resisting construction such as a dead-end corridor or protected stairway the following compartmentation should be installed:
- All doors (including hatches, ducts and vertical shafts), floors, walls, and ceilings should be made with fire resistant materials specifically rated so that if a fire were to break out, they would contain the fire and smoke for long enough for people to evacuate.
- Where suspended or false ceilings are provided, fire resistant materials should extend up to the floor slab level above.
- Cavity barriers, fire stopping and dampers
What are the Fire Protection Systems?
The Fire Safety Order 2005 requires all workplaces to have an active and passive fire protection system in place along with an effective fire safety management plan. Whilst fire safety management is generally something the responsible person can do with some assistance from compliance manuals, the installation of active and passive fire systems require the knowledge and expertise of professionals and so it will be the job of the responsible person to find them.
Active fire systems are used for suppression and detection of the fire. This will range from the smoke detection systems installed in resident’s rooms and other key parts of the hotel to a sprinkler system that would actively combat the fire to allow time for occupants to evacuate the premises and for the fire brigade to arrive.
Passive fire systems have been touched upon in the previous section and work alongside the active fire system to provide total fire safety to the hotel building.
Fire Safety Tips and Checklist for Hotels
- Provide fire safety training for all employees and have a detailed evacuation plan that is rehearsed at minimum twice a year.
- Fire risk assessments should be carried out annually or if there have been changes made to the building.
- Fire alarms should be tested weekly.
- Equipment checks, training and fire evacuation drills should be recorded in the fire safety book.
- Emergency lights should be fully functioning and tested at regular intervals. They are mandatory in stairwells, hallways and public rooms.
- Fire doors should be in full working order with no damage to them and should never be wedged open.
- Checks of the building where fire alarms and escape routes are tested.
- Fire action notices should be made available at all call points and in resident’s rooms so they are clear of the evacuation plan in the event of a fire.
- All emergency exit signs should be visible and illuminated.
- Fire extinguishers should be checked for damage and arranged to be replaced as soon as possible.
The Broadsword Promise
At Broadsword, we understand the responsibility that hotel owners have to comply with the law, protect their building and ensure the safety of their staff and clients. This is a job that needs to be done correctly, first time. As a FIRAS accredited company, Broadsword have the knowledge and expertise to ensure fire safety compliance for all required works without the need for additional contractors. It is our promise to you to carry out work to the highest standard and the utmost professionalism. Hotel owners never need to worry again with the peace of mind of total fire protection.
02380 675888
hello@broadsword-group.co.uk
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