Mandy Bowden, Comelit-PAC Fire Manager, sheds light on smart fire safety management systems

Today hotel guests have higher expectations, including personalised experiences and the opportunity to create memories, even if it is just an overnight stay. With more focus on guest experience than ever before, it is critical that hoteliers continue to evolve their offerings to meet this demand.

This to be achieved with guests assured they are safe and secure, expecting a home from home experience. The responsibility is not only with hotel managers but also Responsible Persons and Maintenance Managers to ensure that peace of mind in the physical sense is achieved at all times.

When guests check into a hotel, they expect a level of safety and security during their stay to truly ensure they can settle and enjoy their experience. This includes the physical security alongside the fire safety. The knowledge that the hotel has taken all necessary precautions to prevent and respond to a fire emergency.

“Hotel management must ensure their fire safety management protocols are up to date, effective, and aligned with the latest standards.”

And yet several reports of fires have made headlines in recent months. The Accidental Fires and Deliberate Fires in UK Hotels highlighted a 20% rise in the last recorded year (2021-2022) and there have been more fire-related fatalities, in incidents overall, than the previous reported year. There were three hotel fatalities in the first week of 2023 alone.

Hotel management must ensure their fire safety management protocols are up to date, effective, and aligned with the latest standards and regulations.

In recent years, technological advancements have made it possible to implement smart fire safety management systems in hotels to ensure compliance, which can also enhance the safety of guests and staff and with dedicated incident reporting, reduce the risk of fire incidents.

Smart fire safety management

Smart fire safety management systems use advanced technology, such as sensors, alarms, and monitoring tools, to detect fires with the capability to alert hotel staff and guests quickly and efficiently.

These systems can also facilitate quick evacuation and prevent the spread of fire, minimising damage to property and protecting human life.

Smart fire safety management systems can be integrated into a hotel’s existing fire safety protocols or implemented as a standalone system. They can also be customised to suit the specific needs of a hotel and its guests, including blending with their surroundings to remain discreet.

One of the most significant benefits of smart fire safety management systems in hotels is the early detection of fire incidents. With advanced sensors and alarms, smart systems can detect fires in their early stages, even before smoke or flames become visible.

Another benefit is that they can be monitored remotely, allowing hotel staff to keep track of fire hazards in real-time. This feature is particularly useful for large hotels, where fire hazards can be difficult to monitor manually. Remote monitoring can also enable hotel staff to respond promptly to fire incidents, regardless of their location on site.

Communication is key

The causes of hotel fires are often difficult to predict. Here is where a risk assessment carried out at the beginning of any works programme will be critical, and so should be carried out by a Responsible Person and expert in the field to understand the full workings of the hotel environment.

“A risk assessment carried out at the beginning of any works programme will be critical.”

Risk assessments can act as a snapshot of how protected a hotel is in the event of a fire. It will help identify corrective actions and further steps to achieve a compliant level of fire safety.

A bespoke fire safety solution can be designed to take account of the findings, incorporating ease of install and integration into existing building management systems for the benefit of ongoing maintenance.

Enhancing the overall fire safety culture in hotels then involves promoting awareness and education amongst staff and guess, helping to foster a culture of safety and preparedness, reducing the risk of fire incidents and minimising their impact.

Furthermore, smart systems can provide hotel management with valuable data and insights into fire hazards and incidents, enabling them to make informed decisions and improve their fire safety protocols continuously.

Case example: Staybridge Hotel

The Staybridge Hotel has recently gone through the process of installing Comelit-PAC’s LogiFire system with cloud integration capability as part of a significant renovation project.

As a new hotel in the heart of Brighton, Staybridge Hotel, as part of the IHG Group, was built in 2022 and renovated in 2023 as an all-suite hotel providing guests with a shared lounge, together with offering the comforts of home in a stylish contemporary space.

Ensuring fire safety measures are compliant to latest legislation, the management team worked closely with H.E.S Alarms to carry out a risk assessment of the complete site and incorporate fire safety systems where required, including Comelit-PAC’s latest LogiFire solution with cloud technology integration.

Says Ryan Morgan, Maintenance Manager of Staybridge Hotels: “This is a very exciting chapter for Staybridge Hotel, and a significant investment that we are thrilled to present to our guests. Whilst its core objective is to offer the latest and contemporary amenities; the safety and security of our hotel experience was critical.

“We needed to ensure our partners were on board right from the early stages of the renovation programme at our hotel. H.E.S and Comelit-PAC offered advice and practical support on how and where to install fire safety measures to blend with their surroundings, without affecting the experience for our staff and guests.”

Comelit-PAC Logifire system was programmed to a cause-and-effect matrix specifically designed for the site. It consisted of lift grounding to alternate floors, each individual room being fitted with an extinguishant system fitted above the hobs, and time delays with zonal programming for the whole building. Designated sounders were also installed in specified areas to seamlessly operate with the system.

“Fire safety is one of the biggest challenges presented in any hotel environment.”

Mark Dynes, H.E.S Alarms, Managing Partner

Mark Dynes, H.E.S Alarms, Managing Partner added: “Fire safety is one of the biggest challenges presented in any hotel environment, to enable balancing a welcoming and relaxing environment that doesn’t compromise on the safety of guests.  

“At Staybridge Hotel, it has taken careful planning and a close working partnership to achieve these objectives for the hotel and renovations as a whole. We were especially impressed with the technical and sales support from Comelit-PAC and capability to support us at every stage of the works programme to ensure a seamless LogiFire integration using latest cloud technology.”

LogiFire

LogiFire is guaranteed by a range of control panels. The system was designed at The Staybridge Hotel using an 8 loop Logifire118 system. The panel is feature rich and have many onboard fault-finding diagnostics, which was very beneficial during the final commissioning stages.

The evolution to cloud technology and remote monitoring via MyComelit app, means that users can check their status across their fire safety network on a remote basis, making sure they are always connected and fully operational. Event notifications can be sent via email and/or SMS messaging.

What just this one example shows is the need for a true partnership approach between the Responsible Person on site, the installer and Comelit-PAC to understand the unique requirements of the works programme and deliver a tailored solution to accommodate.

LogiFire presents a solution that can not only be installed without impacting on the look or feel of the hotel, but also remotely monitored at all times. It is a wonderful example of a seamless integration, offering latest cloud technology to ensure the fire safety of all who work or stay at the hotel.

This exclusive article was originally published in the May 2023 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

Picture Credit: Staybridge Suites Hotel Brighton, Photographed by Simon Callaghan Photography