The holiday season is here, which means many people will be on the road traveling to spend time with their families and loved ones. Hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions will be busy with people coming and going through the New Year. And with so many people on the property, risks of a fire can increase during this time of the year. Every industry faces challenges when it comes to fire protection, prevention, and guests’ safety. But for the hospitality industry, the biggest issue comes simply from the nature of the industry. So, what are the main causes of fire in these types of properties?
Main Causes of Fire in Hospitality Facilities:
- Cooking Equipment
- Faulty Sprinkler Systems
- Obstructed and Cluttered Exit Routes
- Faulty Heating and Cooling Equipment
- Laundry Equipment
- Electrical/Lighting
- Careless Smoking by Guests
- Intentional
As a facility manager, your fire safety plan must take into account that a great number of people present during a fire will have little to no training on how to respond. So how can you make sure that your facility is prepared for a fire while keeping your guests safe? The answer is the building’s Passive Fire Protection System!
Passive Fire Protection (PFP) is a group of systems that help compartmentalize a building through the use of fire-resistance rated walls/floors. Compartmentalizing your facility into smaller sections helps to slow or prevent the spread of fire/smoke from one room to the next. PFP helps to limit the amount of damage done to a building and provides its occupants more time for evacuation. PFP includes fire/smoke dampers, fire doors, and fire walls/floors. Dampers are used to prevent the spread of fire/smoke throughout the building through its ductwork. Fire doors help to compartmentalize a building. Firestopping helps to separate the building into compartments. Photoluminescent egress path markers will help guide your guests out of the building to safety.
