Fires are a major risk for hotels. Fires are able to spread quickly throughout a hotel, thanks to all of the easily combustible material inside like linens and mattresses, and they'll quickly intensify when they're fed oxygen from the numerous windows in the hotel. Worse, hotel guests often won't be familiar with the layout of the building or where the fire escape routes are located.
As a result of the high risk that hotels face from fires, hotels commonly install fire protection features such as electronic alarm systems that alert guests and fire sprinkler systems that can quickly put out fires in the building before they're able to spread too far. However, these systems aren't perfect, and that's why hotel owners should be familiar with the services that fire watch security team can offer. If you own a hotel, read on to learn more about what fire watch security can do and when you'll need there services.
What Does Fire Watch Security Do?
The role of fire watch security is to patrol the hotel grounds and spot fire hazards or fires in progress. They'll notify you if any fire hazards are found, and they'll also monitor your fire safety equipment such as your fire extinguishers to make sure they're all in their correct locations. If any small fires are found, fire watch security will put them out, and they'll call the fire department immediately if they're unable to put out the fire safely. In addition, they'll also help your hotel guests evacuate if there's a fire in your hotel.
When Does a Hotel Need Fire Watch Security?
You'll need to hire fire watch security if your fire sprinkler system or your fire alarm system isn't operational. Fire alarm systems can experience electrical malfunctions that require them to be serviced, and you'll need fire watch on the premises of your hotel while they're being worked on. You'll also need fire watch if the power goes out in your hotel and your alarm systems don't have battery backup power. Fire sprinkler systems may malfunction if there's no water supply to your hotel or if one of the pipes in the sprinkler system bursts or freezes, and you'll need a fire watch guard on the hotel grounds until it's fixed.
What Happens if a Hotel Doesn't Hire Fire Watch Security?
If your fire sprinklers or fire alarms aren't operating correctly and you don't hire fire watch security, the fire marshal in your area can fine you. Fines can be quite steep, since you're putting all of your guests at risk by not having adequate fire protection in your hotel. If a fire does occur, you open yourself up to legal liability if one or more hotel guests are injured in the fire.
Whenever the fire alarms or fire sprinklers in your hotel aren't working correctly, call a fire watch security service in your area and ask to hire a fire guard. They'll monitor the hotel premises for fire hazards and signs of a fire, helping to keep your guests safe and your hotel undamaged by a fire that occurs while your other fire protection systems are down.
For more information on fire watch security, contact a security firm.
