Hotel fires – a guide to survivalLLOYD’S REGISTER ASIA

Hotel Fires – a guide to survival

Based on a briefing from a veteran Los Angeles Fireman

Hotel fires - a guide to survivalLLOYD’S REGISTER ASIA

This presentation

• Some sobering facts• A simple checklist• What to do in the event of a fire

Hotel fires - a guide to survivalLLOYD’S REGISTER ASIA

Some sobering facts …..

• There are over 5,000 hotel fires a year• 70% of these fires are caused by smoking and matches• Most people who die in hotel fires do so from the effects

of smoke or panic – very few die from the fire itself• The vast majority of these deaths are unnecessary and

preventable • You cannot rely on the hotel staff – history has shown

that some hotels won’t even call the fire department –they don’t like to disturb the guests

• So the best thing is to be prepared – the purpose of this short presentation is to help you be prepared

Hotel fires - a guide to survivalLLOYD’S REGISTER ASIA

A simple check list

1. Develop the habit of checking for your EXIT as soon as you enter your room for the first timeo It wont take more than 30 seconds and you may

NEVER get another chanceo Memorise whether it is to the right or left and how

many doors away it iso Test yourself – could you find it blindfold? o Make this a habit – do it every time

2. Familiarise yourself with your room – is there a window, does it open, how high up are you ? Get a good mental picture.

3. Always leave your room key in the same place in your room so you know where to find it

Hotel fires - a guide to survivalLLOYD’S REGISTER ASIA

In the event of a fire, and it is safe to leave the room …• Something will wake you during the night – get up and

investigate• If you wake to smoke in your room pick up your room key

and head for the door on your hands and knees• Before you open the door feel it with the back of your hand –

if it is hot or the handle is hot don’t open it• Otherwise slowly open the door and assess conditions• If it is safe to leave your room close the door behind you• Make your way to the exit, stay against the wall on the

side where the exit is – it is very easy to get disoriented• WALK down the exit stairs and HOLD the handrail • Exit the building and move away to a safe distance

Hotel fires - a guide to survivalLLOYD’S REGISTER ASIA

In the event of a fire, and it is safe to leave the room …• Sometimes smoke can build up in a stairway – if it is a tall

building smoke may not rise very far before it cools and becomes heavy

• If you encounter this on the way down don’t try and run through it but turn round and go up and keep going till you get to the roof

• When you get to the roof prop the door open, this will help vent the smoke and you won’t be locked out

• This will most times be a safe place to wait if you choose the windward side

• Remember to hold the handrail so that you are not knocked over by people coming the other way!

Hotel fires - a guide to survivalLLOYD’S REGISTER ASIA

In the event of a fire and when it is not safe to leave the room …• If your room door is hot or the corridor is completely full of smoke stay

in your room and don’t panic• Check the window – if there is fresh air outside open it to vent the

smoke, otherwise keep it closed• Put the extractor fan on, let someone know you are in the room and fill

the bathtub with water• Stuff wet sheets and towels round the door to keep the smoke out• If the door or walls are hot slosh water on them from the bath with the

ice bucket• Keep everything wet• A wet towel over mouth and nose will act as a good filter if needed• If there is fire outside the window rip down the curtains and move

combustible material away from the window, keep the window surrounds wet

• Don’t panic – keep fighting until reinforcements arrive, they wont be long

Hotel fires - a guide to survivalLLOYD’S REGISTER ASIA

Some other do’s and don’ts ….

• NEVER use an elevator or lift to try and exit the building – they can be very unpredictable in an emergency

• JUMPING OUT – those who jump from first or at most second floor and clear the side of the building and any railings tend to survive, with minor injury – any higher than the third floor the record is not good and you are better off staying and fighting the fire

• DO CALL THE EMERGENCY SERVICES IF YOU THINK THERE IS A FIRE – hotel reception will most likely delay by sending someone to investigate – ask for an outside line and dial the fire service right away and tell them which room you are in

• Do carry a pocket torch in your luggage, you never know when it could come in useful

Hotel fires - a guide to survivalLLOYD’S REGISTER ASIA

Lloyd’s Register Safe Method of Work

• For further details refer to Lloyd’s Register’s SMoW 074 on hotel safety

Hotel fires – a guide to survivalLLOYD’S REGISTER ASIA

The Lloyd’s Register Group works to enhance safety and approve assets and systems at sea, on land and in the air – because life matters.

Services are provided by members of the Lloyd’s Register Group Lloyd’s Register, Lloyd’s Register EMEA and Lloyd’s Register Asia are exempt charities under the UK Charities Act 1993.

Travel safelyand be prepared