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Fire prevention measures are often ignored by the entrepreneurs who often believe that such a disaster “will never happen to me”. Even those who drafted fire escape plan have some devices installed (such as fire extinguishers and detectors), often have fire escape routes blocked and do not bother to check whether the devices operate. What the personnel have to do in cases of emergency is mostly a surprise for everybody. Meanwhile, fire prevention, quick detection and fire fighting are basic and crucial for any accommodation, as fire can not only bring damage to the material assets, but also carry away human lives.
For successful minimization of the risks you should take the Fire Prevention and Detection measures. Normally all but the smallest lodging facilities are required by law to have some type of fire safety system. Thus, you also need to check up the national requirements applicable to your accommodation. Usually it is required that each guest room have two ways out. It can be both doors and connection to another balcony or all kinds of ladders – iron ones, chain, rope, etc. The escape route shall go throughout the building with clearly marked emergency exits.
Smoke alarms-fire detectors should be placed between the sleeping areas and the rest of the house, at least one on each floor. The most efficient is an alarm with electrochemical and photoelectric sensors. The check of alarms and detectors is to be done once a month, with cleaning to keep it free of dust, while cleaning and change of batteries should be conducted at least twice a year.
Fire extinguishers should be installed in areas prone to fire risk such as the kitchen, smoking lounge, along the emergency escape route, as well as a fire extinguisher at the parking place. When choosing a fire extinguisher, you should give preference to ABC type that is valid for putting down all kinds of fire. Near the box with a fire extinguisher an instruction should be placed, short, readable at a glance before application in fire emergency (e.g., in pictures). In some places instead of fire extinguishers it is better provide fire blankets (e.g., near the stove in the kitchens or in the rooms that have own cooking facilities), accompanied with instructions where and how to apply them.
For prevention of fire incidents a number of precaution measures should be taken. So, for example, flammable/combustible household products should be stored securely. This kind of products including cleaning materials, matches and lighters should be kept in approved containers or outside the main building to diminish the risk of blow-up. Barbeque, bonfire places, and fireplaces inside the building should be specially arranged and controlled. Check-ups and maintenance shall be done regularly in the building’s electrical system, in the chimneys (including cleaning once or twice a year), and with household appliances (electrical kitchen equipment, iron, washing machine, etc). Regular inspections should be scheduled and done, with attention paid to stoves, heaters, gas facilities, etc. You should ensure that circuits and extension cords cannot be overloaded, and cords and wires should never go under the rugs, over nails or in high traffic area.
Aside from the technical measures, each member of the staff should be briefed on Fire Safety issues and Emergency Procedures so that in case of fire every employee knows what ought to be done (see 7.1.3 Fire emergency procedures for the personnel). Fire emergency drills are to be practiced twice a year (in warm weather and in cold weather). The phone number to call in case of fire emergency should be made available to all the guests and staff members. The best option is to display it at the visible spot at the reception.
And last but not the least - fire emergency information shall be provided to the guests (see 7.1.2 Fire escape plan and procedures for guests). Clear building plan with escape route and all possible exits as well as instructions what to do in case of fire should be placed in each room (e.g., near the door). The map with emergency exit route should be also present at the reception. Also, fire prevention information is worth taking care of. Adequate warnings should be placed in smoking areas and rooms that have their own cooking/heating facilities, especially gas-fuelled ones. Warning are also to be made about smoking in bed and using candles in rooms.
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Checklist on Fire prevention and detection measures
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7.1. Fire Safety | 7.1.2. Fire Escape Plan and Procedures for Guests |
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