Pre Soft Opening Hotel fire Check

That is quite a mouthful! 
 
I recently carried out a hotel inspection in a hotel that was on soft opening – 
During that time there was a huge opening ceremony with over 200 guests invited. 
All staying in the same hotel.

The hotel consists of 3 towers- just one currently completed. The other two and parts of this one were still under construction.
 
During my inspection I asked to see the fire alarm control panel – Oh that hasn’t been handed over yet I was told ……  Ok so who is currently monitoring the system ? The contractors ……
 
The night before the official handover to the owning company, the fire alarm activated very loudly. As it didn’t stop after 5 minutes, I vacated my room and headed towards the only exit I knew was completed….. On reaching it, it was blocked by rubble and once I got to the main door into the exit there were no lights as yet installed – There was no way out of this 30 storey hotel…
​What if this had been a real fire ? We all would have been killed - 

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So Your Checklist
 
BEFORE anyone is allowed to stay overnight in the hotel the fire alarm must be working in the areas were people are staying. (It can be isolated in areas still under construction).
 
If it is not finalized then Plan B must be in place – 
Additional security monitoring open areas, staff trained and a manual system in place.
 
All fire exits must be complete with emergency lights and free from obstructions to the final exit
The final exit should exit to open air out of the building 
 
Fire Suppression systems; extinguishers, hoses, sprinkler systems working and all staff must be trained.
​(In the areas that are open)
 
Ensure workmen are using safe practices – In the case above the workers were smoking cigarettes inside the hotel which were still under construction – bare wires on equipment, sawdust, gas blowers- all make a great fire when workers are tired or careless – 
 
For more information on other areas please contact us for more information.