Your hotel guests expect a certain level of safety in an emergency. Use these tips from Orlando fire sprinkler companies to avoid common fire hazards in your hotel.

Whether your guests are at your hotel for business meetings or on a family vacation, keeping them safe in a fire emergency is one of the essential aspects of hotel operations. Following a few simple rules and having a comprehensive Fire & Life Safety plan will ensure your guests get the most out of their stay and will return the next time they’re in town. Here, we share the most common (and avoidable) hotel fire hazards.

Blocked Exits

Ensuring your guests and employees can safely exit the building in an emergency is one of the most critical aspects of fire safety. Since they aren’t used often, emergency exits can become cluttered with boxes or other supplies. Avoid this fire hazard by making regular fire exit inspections part of your staff’s duties. At least once a week, have your staff check that all emergency exits are clear and nothing has collected in the path leading to the exit doors. 

Inadequate Signage

Exit signs must comply with different agencies, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), and others. Sign placement, sign color, and other requirements are outlined in NFPA 101 standards and ensure that the building’s occupants can easily see signs for all parts of an exit.

To avoid the fire hazard of inadequate signage, you must follow regulations by all applicable governing bodies regarding exit signs. Ensure that they are easy to see and are visible all along the exit route.

Unclear Or Missing Evacuation Route Maps

In addition to posted fire route signage, evacuation route signs must be posted in guest rooms. The route needs to be easy to read and checked regularly to ensure its accuracy. Follow these regulations when posting evacuation routes:

• Post an evacuation map on the back of each guest room door or on a wall adjacent to the door.
• Your map must include the viewer’s location (“You Are Here”).
• You must include two evacuation routes to fire exits.
• Signs must be permanently affixed to the door or wall.
• Have your staff confirm that the signage is still posted before each new guest checks into the room. 

Non-Functioning Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are your first line of defense when there is a fire. Not only can they help you put out small fires, but they can also help building occupants safely egress from a building. Making sure that your fire extinguishers will work when they are needed is simple when you have Orlando fire sprinkler companies perform regular inspections and maintenance.

Fire extinguishers should be inspected monthly and tested yearly. Every five and 12 years, fire extinguishers that need hydrostatic testing must be inspected, emptied, and pressure tested. If any damage is detected, the fire extinguisher must be replaced. 

Non-Functioning Or Damaged Sprinklers

Sprinkler systems detect heat and smoke, then discharge a fire suppression agent to extinguish the fire. To ensure your fire sprinkler system will work when needed, have our Fire & Life Safety technicians perform regular sprinkler inspections and maintenance. DynaFire technicians are certified to inspect and repair fire suppression systems that use water, foam, chemical agents, and others.

Have your staff visually inspect sprinkler heads in guest rooms as part of their room readiness checklist. If a sprinkler head has been tampered with or damaged, it needs to be evaluated by professionals.

DynaFire Leads Orlando Fire Sprinkler Companies In Hotel Fire Prevention

Our Fire & Life Safety team is ready to help you keep your hotel guests safe by avoiding these common fire hazards. The good news is that these hazards are easy to avoid with some planning and forethought. Contact us today to take the next steps in keeping your hotel and your guests safe.