Stop, drop and roll out fire safety plans

In general, fire safety has improved throughout the hospitality industry. It’s a product of building codes and local, state and federal laws becoming more thorough. Sprinkler systems, proper signage and smoke detectors are a given. However, don’t let your property stop there.

“We look for the presence of management’s commitment to safety,” said Jeffrey Shearman, senior risk engineering consultant for Zurich Services. “Do they have a functioning emergency plan—not just a pretty book? Some of the most effective plans are just one or two pages.”

Having a well thought out emergency action plan and a staff that knows how to execute it is just as important as all of the building codes. Guests expect to be safe when staying at a hotel, and for that to happen, the hotel staff has to be prepared.

“When I was risk manager [at a hotel], we had a small fire with lot of smoke,” Shearman said. “The staff practiced [emergency drills] religiously, and when the time came, the activities were second nature. You can’t train guests. “For example, fire extinguisher training is a must.

 “Fire extinguishers should be present and maintained, and staff should be trained on how to use them,” said Shane Cartmill, public information officer for the Division of State Fire Marshal at the Ohio Dept. of Commerce.
Any time a new hire comes on, describe the emergency action plan as they take a tour to familiarize with the building, Shearman said. He also recommends quarterly drills or random pop quizzes to keep everyone sharp.
“What do we do here today?”Shearman said. “Have a dry-run walk through.”

Some guests may need special assitance exiting the building. Shearman suggests designating an area of rescue assistance that is extra fire resistant and equipped with two-way communication where guests are safe to wait for the fire department.

And if you work with your local fire department to develop your emergency plan they will know to go there first.
Steve Masterson, partner at Howrey LLP, insurance recovery group, said regardless of your preparation, if you have a fire, somebody will sue you. It is important to properly document all preventive maintenance, training and other precautions.

Operators need to “comply, document and copy,” he said. Hotels “have to comply with all regulations … but then keep a diary of all things you do. [You] want to be able to show what you did, whether defending against a plaintiff or defending against an insurance carrier. … The last thing you want to do is ask, ‘hey, when’s the last time that guy came?’”

And of course, copy those documents and calendars and keep the copies in another location so the fire doesn’t ruin all of your hard work, he said.

Clear obstacles from path to protect guests
Even after you practice with your staff and maintain all alarm systems, there can still be big issues to watch out for, and the issues have to do with the means of egress.

Make sure “exits are clearly marked with lights and exit signs, doors aren’t blocked, the doors are properly latched to lock behind [them] in the stairwell,” said Shane Cartmill, public information officer for the Division of State Fire Marshal at the Ohio Dept. of Commerce. “Make sure the panic hardware is functioning to get out quickly.”

After consistently keeping the exit paths clear, preparing signage and additional emergency aids is the next step. Jeffrey Shearman, senior risk engineering consultant for Zurich Services said an effective technique is having exit signs located lower to the ground.

“When there is smoke, people are getting down to crawl and they won’t see [the sign] up in the air,” he said.

In an emergency, guests tend to leave how they have been leaving—by the elevator—which often is not near the stairs. If your staff can’t get there in time, guests need help to get where they need. Shearman recommends a prerecorded directional message that sounds for particular positions in the hotel. And test these systems often.

“Be sure [warnings] work and are loud,” said Steve Masterson, partner at Howrey LLP, insurance recovery group. “And that the control center that says where the fire is is correct.”

Some other tips to help guests include: emergency map signs (made with help from the local fire department) and an emergency page in in-room pamphlets, Cartmill said.