Fire Safety in the Hospitality Sector

Ever since the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions were lifted, people have been keen to return to travelling as much as possible. Last year, 87% of adults in the UK took at least one holiday throughout the year, while the prior 12-month period witnessed the number of overseas tourists returning to pre-pandemic levels.

Fire remains one of the most dangerous risks for hotels. In 2023, circa 600 fire episodes occurred in hospitality buildings across the UK, duly resulting in injuries, damages and, in some cases, even death. This risk must not be overlooked, which is precisely why innovation and deployment of state-of-the-art fire safety measures are essential.

Causes of fire episodes

Fire safety always requires a bespoke strategy as no two buildings are the same. It’s important to always the possible risk factors present. For example, hotels and hospitality buildings typically feature in-house kitchens and restaurants, where unattended cooking equipment could be hazardous.

Further, the potential for electrical fires due to faulty appliances should never be underestimated. Cleaning appliances, which most cleaning services deploy, also require attention and care.

Late last year, a fire broke out at the Imperial Hotel in Hove, East Sussex. Firefighters from the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service spent four hours tackling the flames. One person was injured and treated immediately. After a careful investigation, it was determined that the cause of the incident was accidental due to a fault with an extractor fan.

This recent example illustrates how an understanding of the risks that come with operating such a facility can be the key to avoiding any future incident.

Embracing innovation

The Imperial Hotel fire highlights how the urban landscape has witnessed significant changes in the past 50 years. Nowadays, high-rise buildings rule city skylines. This massive shift in architecture comes with a unique set of challenges and guidelines that must be taken into account.

Wireless fire systems have increasingly emerged as a strong response to the complex layout of high-rise buildings. Wireless devices can be installed anywhere, without the need for extensive cabling or intrusive work. This allows multi-storey structures to achieve maximum fire safety coverage that’s more affordable and reliable.

Martin Lee, head of business for Hyfire, stated: “Wireless fire safety systems are increasingly being adopted for their flexibility and ease of installation, particularly so in complex or challenging building environments such as those within the hospitality sector.”

Royal Ship Hotel

Wireless fire safety solutions such as Hyfire’s Taurus system have been deployed in all types of buildings. They’ve proven to be particularly beneficial in the hospitality industry.

When the Royal Ship Hotel, a Grade II-listed building located in the heart of the old market town of Dolgellau, needed to upgrade its outdated fire safety system, this was possible without interrupting day-to-day operations thanks to the deployment of wireless technology.

According to the system’s installer, a conventional hard-wired installation would have taken six weeks. The use of a wireless fire system meant the project was completed in only one week.

The power of such innovative technology can be extremely beneficial in safeguarding the hospitality industry going forward, particularly so considering the rising number of tourists and the growth margin of the entire sector.

Core responsibility

Ultimately, as the hospitality sector continues to burgeon and welcome record numbers of guests, fire safety cannot be treated as a box-ticking exercise. Rather, it’s a core responsibility. Proactive risk assessment, staff training and the adoption of modern solutions like wireless fire systems all play a crucial role in protecting lives, property and business continuity.

By investing in robust and forward-thinking fire safety strategies, hospitality providers can ensure that memorable guest experiences are defined by comfort and care rather than emergency scenarios.

*Further information is available online at www.hyfirewireless.com