A hotel’s appeal is based on its reputation for providing a safe, secure, and convenient environment for its guests. A hotelier’s attention to fire and life safety systems should enhance its reputation without arousing the concerns of a typical hotel guest. Apart from bolting the door and glancing at the posted emergency escape route, few guests give a second thought to their safety. That’s the way it should be.

In addition to regular hotel guests, a hotel may host weddings, corporate meetings, conventions, conferences and other events. Hotels exemplify a diverse environment requiring diverse detection methods. Different areas within the hotel vary widely in function and architectural design. Beyond the typical sleeping room, hotels may have ballrooms, indoor and/or outdoor pools, fitness centers, foodservice facilities, maintenance areas, retail space, parking garages, and more.

Hoteliers use a variety of smoke alarms, smoke detectors, automatic sprinklers, notification devices, fire extinguishers, and control panels to protect their guests and properties. The safety equipment installed in a hotel varies by the size of the building, its height, age, and use. Although residential in nature, hotel requirements differ from residences. If an alarm sounds in a hotel room, you may not want to empty the entire building, unless the scope of the fire warrants it.

Continuous improvement of hotel safety systems continues to be crucial: The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that from 1999 through 2002, fires in hotels and motels resulted in an annual average of 16 deaths, 194 injuries, and $85.9 million in direct property damage. In many hotels, it is no longer enough to have a passive alarm system reporting that an incident has occurred.

Addressable systems

Hotel managers can choose addressable or conventional control panels, which are devices that monitor smoke detectors and other equipment. Addressable panels offer more capability to identify and isolate a potential emergency quickly. Addressable detectors, i.e. detectors with address identification, will relay the exact location of the alarm to the control panel. They are efficient to maintain and offer advanced reporting features.

An addressable control panel receives signals that provide the precise location and status of each individual detector on the loop connected to it. Information is immediately available to indicate if a detector goes into alarm, needs to be cleaned, or loses contact with the panel. It’s easier to maintain addressable systems because hotel engineers know where to go when a device requires attention.

Today, hotels are challenged by the dynamic hospitality environment. A large open ballroom may be unoccupied for days and then be transformed for an event with hundreds of people, computer equipment, projectors, musical amplifiers, catering appliances, or other heat generating sources. Modern smoke detectors are designed to maintain protection in such variable environments. Smoke detection systems connect various combinations of components to determine whether or not the safety of a physical space is being compromised. A system may include addressable, non-addressable, and/or battery operated smoke detectors to meet the requirements of the different types of spaces in the facility.

Addressable systems provide early, constant, real-time monitoring of many open areas or individual guest rooms.They pinpoint, as accurately as possible, the source of smoke before it escalates to more advanced, damaging stages.These addressable systems are also capable of directing Emergency Response Team (ERT) personnel to trouble areas quickly, minimizing smoke contamination.

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Tags: Smoke detection

Posted in Audible/Visible Notification, Cover Features, Hospitality, Spring 2008