Fire Safety

in Hotels

Dr. Michael Buser / Allianz - Germany / Corporate Clients - Allianz Risk Service

Allianz Risk Service: Fire Safety in Hotels

Expectations of a Hotel
Shower / bath and WC
Quiet loacation
Breakfast buffet
Telephone in room
Helpful staff
Restaurant in hotel
Spacious room
Television in room
Half / Full board
Results of an Opinion Poll
Dr. Michael Buser / Allianz - Munich / Corporate Clients - Allianz Risk Service

Neither SAFETY
nor FIRE PROTECTION
are mentioned as topics among
the most frequent items
(Germany, 1999, Source: FOCUS)
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Allianz Risk Service: Fire Safety in Hotels

Fatal Consequences of Fire

140
131

120

Fire deaths

100

Trend line

80

80
70

60

62

62
57

40

47

43

42

39

34

33

32

20

26
24

26

18

Fire Deaths in Hotels and Motels

Dr. Michael Buser / Allianz - Munich / Corporate Clients - Allianz Risk Service

1996

1995

1994

1993

1992

1991

1990

1989

1988

1987

1986

1985

1984

1983

1982

1981

1980

(US, 1987-1996, Source: NFPA Fire Analysis)

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Allianz Risk Service: Fire Safety in Hotels

Causes of Loss

Human
misconduct/error
6,7%

Hot works
1,9%

Arson
13,5%

Natural hazards
25,0%

Electricity
16,3%
Open flame
1,9%
Explosion
1,0%

Political risks
3,8%
Spontaneous
ignition
1,9%

Unknown/
undetermined
27,9%

Worldwide Hotel Fire Loss Causes

Dr. Michael Buser / Allianz - Munich / Corporate Clients - Allianz Risk Service

(1980-1999, Source: Munich Re)

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Allianz Risk Service: Fire Safety in Hotels

Time of Loss

18
16
14,9

14

13,4
12,1

12
10
8

9,8
7,5
6,7

5,5

5,3

8,1

6,6

4,9
5,1

4
2
0
08:00 10:00

10:00 12:00

12:00 14:00

14:00 16:00

16:00 18:00

18:00 20:00

20:00 22:00

22:00 24:00

Fires resulting in Death depending on the Time of Day

Dr. Michael Buser / Allianz - Munich / Corporate Clients - Allianz Risk Service

00:00 02:00

02:00 04:00

04:00 06:00

06:00 08:00

(Source: NFPA Fire Analysis)

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Allianz Risk Service: Fire Safety in Hotels

Hazardous Area in Hotels: Guest Room

Dr. Michael Buser / Allianz - Munich / Corporate Clients - Allianz Risk Service

Page 6

Allianz Risk Service: Fire Safety in Hotels

Potential Fire Hazards in Guest Rooms

Smoking

Candles

Covered lamp

Ash tray

Overheated heater

Teamaker

Coffee machines

Defective television

Overloaded circuit

Iron

Overheated hairdryer

Defective radio

Arson

Electric blanket

Short circuit

Lightning

Dr. Michael Buser / Allianz - Munich / Corporate Clients - Allianz Risk Service

Spontaneous ignition

Defective shaver

Page 7

Allianz Risk Service: Fire Safety in Hotels

Hazardous Area in Hotels: Kitchen

Dr. Michael Buser / Allianz - Munich / Corporate Clients - Allianz Risk Service

Page 8

Allianz Risk Service: Fire Safety in Hotels

Potential Fire Hazards in the Hotel Kitchen

Grilling

Flamb

Overheated lamps

Ashtrays

Overheated heater

Coffee machines

Overloaded
power circuit

Deep-fat fryers

Gas cooker

Flammable
liquids

Arson

Hot surfaces

Short circuit

Lightning

Dr. Michael Buser / Allianz - Munich / Corporate Clients - Allianz Risk Service

Sponaneous
combustion

Electric cooker

Page 9

Allianz Risk Service: Fire Safety in Hotels

Hazardous Area in Hotels: Sauna

Hote
l
Saun
a

Dr. Michael Buser / Allianz - Munich / Corporate Clients - Allianz Risk Service

Page 10

Allianz Risk Service: Fire Safety in Hotels

Potential Fire Hazards in the Hotel Sauna

Smoking

Overloaded
circuit

Distilled spirits/
essences

Defective thermostat

Inadequate oven
insulation

Conversion work

HotelSauna

Distance to
hot surfaces

Forgotten
towels

Arson

Defective
timer switch

Short circuit

Lightning

Dr. Michael Buser / Allianz - Munich / Corporate Clients - Allianz Risk Service

Spontaneous
ignition

Inadequate
insulation

Page 11

Allianz Risk Service: Fire Safety in Hotels

Hazardous Area in Hotels: Store Room

Dr. Michael Buser / Allianz - Munich / Corporate Clients - Allianz Risk Service

Page 12

Allianz Risk Service: Fire Safety in Hotels

Potential Fire Hazards in Storage Areas

Smoking

Combustible gases

Ashtrays

Overheated heaters

Overloaded
circuit

Flammable
liquids

Arson

Lightning

Overheated lamps

Short circuit

Spontaneous
combustion

Dr. Michael Buser / Allianz - Munich / Corporate Clients - Allianz Risk Service

Oily rags

Page 13

Allianz Risk Service: Fire Safety in Hotels

Recommendations For Hotel Guests

From the very beginning, when booking a room at the travel agent's or the hotel,
travellers should make it clear that good fire protection is important to them and
make it a criterion in selecting their hotel.

When they check in at the reception desk they should ask about available safety
installations and familiarise themselves with the escape routes.

In their own interests they should inform the hotel if they require special assistance
in the event of a fire (e.g. if accompanied by children or elderly people, or if they are
disabled).

Dr. Michael Buser / Allianz - Munich / Corporate Clients - Allianz Risk Service

Page 14

Allianz Risk Service: Fire Safety in Hotels

Recommendation For Hotel Operators And Staff (1 / 2)

Staff should receive regular fire-safety instruction

and catastrophe training should be carried out at least twice a year.

Information channels should be clearly established and

sounding the alarm given priority over combating the fire.

Regular inspection of used fire-protection installations

is necessary to ensure they will function in an emergency.

Regular tours of inspection during normal hotel operation

should be carried out to identify danger points or make sure
that known hazards have been eliminated.

Dr. Michael Buser / Allianz - Munich / Corporate Clients - Allianz Risk Service

Page 15

Allianz Risk Service: Fire Safety in Hotels

Recommendation For Hotel Operators And Staff (2 / 2)

Important measures should be set down

in an alarm and fire-protection plan.

Fire drill that involves the fire brigade is recommended.

Special caution should be exercised when

hazardous work is being carried out.
Authorisation is necessary in the form of a welding permit and
the work should be monitored carefully,
both while in progress and after completion.

Dr. Michael Buser / Allianz - Munich / Corporate Clients - Allianz Risk Service

Page 16

Allianz Risk Service: Fire Safety in Hotels

Conclusion

The study deals with fire safety in hotels and looks into
safety standards in Europe, North America and Asia.

The study concludes with a number of recommndations

to hotel operators and guests for improving fire safety in hotels.

It contains recommendations on emergency exit

and the structural properties of staircases, doors, interior furnishing, etc.
as well as on alarm plans and the training of staff.

Special advice is given on fire prevention in areas that are particularly at risk,
such as guest rooms, kitchens, saunas and storerooms.

Dr. Michael Buser / Allianz - Munich / Corporate Clients - Allianz Risk Service

Page 17

Allianz Risk Service: Fire Safety in Hotels

Your contact
Dr. Klaus Burkhardt

Christoph Maurer

Thomas L. Meyer

Dr. Michael Buser

Tel.: (+49) 089 / 9900 - 2255

Fax.:(+49) 089 / 9900 - 3485

klaus.burkhardt @ allianz.de

Tel.: (+49) 089 / 3800 - 7559

Fax.:(+49) 089 / 3800 - 6985

ch.maurer @ allianz.de

Tel.: (+49) 069 / 7126 - 2872

Fax.:(+49) 069 / 7126 - 3290

thomas.meyer_ff1 @ allianz.de

Tel.: (+49) 089 / 3800 - 2876

Fax.:(+49) 089 / 3800 - 8 2876 michael.buser @ allianz.de

Allianz Versicherungs-AG
Corporate Clients - Allianz Risk Service
Koeniginstrae 28, D-80802 Munich
Dr. Michael Buser / Allianz - Munich / Corporate Clients - Allianz Risk Service

Allianz-intern
via Lotus-Notes mail
Page 18