Fire Safety in Hospitality: Are UK hotels prepared for rising fire risk, Hyfire asks
Iain Hoey
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Hyfire explores the changing built environment, detailing why high-rise hospitality buildings require different fire safety approaches and installation methods
As UK hotels welcome record numbers of guests, one threat continues to grow quietly in the background: fire risk in increasingly complex buildings.
Ever since the lockdown was lifted, people have been excited to go out and travel as much as possible.
In 2025, 87% of adults in the UK took at least one holiday throughout the year, and 2024 saw the number of overseas tourists return to what it was pre-pandemic.
Because of this surge in popularity, the hospitality industry has become essential, both at employing a large number of people as well as ensuring the safety of guests and staff alike.
Fire is still one of the most dangerous risks for hotels in the country.
In 2023, almost 600 fires took place in hospitality buildings across the UK, resulting in injuries, damages and in some cases even death.
This risk must not be overlooked, which is why innovation and deployment of state-of-the-art fire safety measures are essential.
The Main Causes of Hospitality Fires
Fire safety always requires a bespoke strategy: no two buildings are the same.
It’s important to always consider the architectural shortcomings of the premise and the possible risk factors it may contain.
Hotels and hospitality buildings typically feature inhouse kitchens and restaurants, where unattended cooking equipment could be hazardous.
Furthermore, electrical fires due to faulty appliances are not to be underestimated.
Cleaning appliances, which most cleaning services deploy, also require attention and care.
In late December 2025, a fire broke out in the room of the Imperial Hotel located in Hove, East Sussex.
The fire brigade spent four hours tackling the flames and luckily only 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 perfectly represents how understanding 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 seen significant changes in the past 50 years.
Nowadays, high-rise buildings rule cities’ 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 could be installed anywhere, without the need for extensive cabling or intrusive work.
This allowed multi-storey structures to achieve maximum fire safety coverage which was more affordable and reliable.
Martin Lee, Head of Business for Hyfire, comments: “Wireless fire safety systems are increasingly being adopted for their flexibility and ease of installation, particularly in complex or challenging building environments such as hospitality.”
The Royal Ship Hotel Case Study
Today, wireless fire safety solutions [such as Hyfire’s Taurus system] have been deployed in all types of buildings.
They have been especially 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, it managed to do so without interrupting day-to-day operations through the power of wireless technology.
According to the installer, a conventional hard-wired installation would have taken 6 weeks, but, because of the use of a wireless fire system, 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, especially considering the rising number of tourists and the growth margin of the entire sector.
Ultimately, as the hospitality sector continues to grow and welcome record numbers of guests, fire safety cannot be treated as a box-ticking exercise but as 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, forward-thinking fire safety strategies today, hospitality providers can ensure that memorable guest experiences are defined by comfort and care, not by preventable emergencies.