Modernizing Fire Safety Compliance In Hotels

When guests check into a hotel, they expect comfort, convenience, and, above all, safety. While often overlooked and unnoticed by guests, fire safety remains a foundational pillar for facility managers (FMs) within the hospitality industry to ensure that guest safety remains the top priority.

For FMs, staying up-to-date with the latest fire and life safety standards is both a necessity as well as an ethical responsibility. However, as fire and life safety codes constantly evolve, it is challenging to maintain compliance and provide an unparalleled level of safety to guests.

To combat this issue, FMs within the hospitality industry must leverage digital tools and resources to seamlessly maintain compliance with safety guidelines while providing the exceptional customer service guests expect.

Challenges Of Fire Safety Compliance For Hospitality Facility Managers

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in 2023, the estimated 20,000 structure fires in non-home occupancies resulted in 30 civilian fire deaths, 300 civilian fire injuries, and $377 million in direct property damage.  Most recently seen in January with the devastating fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu, Turkey, not having proper fire safety measures in place can lead to unfathomable levels of tragedy.

The hospitality industry faces many challenges in maintaining compliance with the latest fire safety codes and standards, between factors like ongoing construction projects and outdated educational resources for staff members.

For an industry that experiences a significantly high turnover rate, it is paramount that all staff members remain educated and up-to-date with the latest fire safety codes and standards. For FMs within the hospitality sector, leveraging digital tools helps equip their staff with the proper educational knowledge and resources to remain prepared in the event of fire-related emergencies.

Enhancing Fire Safety In Hospitality: Leveraging Digital Tools For Compliance

For hospitality FMs, the most important thing is ensuring that they are in compliance with the latest fire safety codes and standards. Various codes and standards, such as NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, and NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers, are designed to provide the maximum level of safety in the event of a fire-related emergency. By leveraging digital tools, FMs can easily maintain compliance by receiving the latest updates to codes and standards at their fingertips.

The shift toward digital solutions is transforming how hospitality professionals maintain fire safety compliance.  Solutions such as digital codebooks provide FMs with an efficient and easy-to-use tool to ensure they are following the latest fire safety guidelines. These digital tools allow FMs to receive immediate access to the latest fire safety standards, ensuring that they are equipped to effectively respond to fire-related incidents.

How Hospitality Facility Managers Can Proactively Integrate Digital Tools

Digital tools also provide FMs with an opportunity to enhance fire-related training and education among their staff, strengthening fire prevention strategies. For example, FMs can provide access to digital fire safety resources to train staff on evacuation procedures, fire prevention, and emergency response protocols.

FMs within the hospitality industry can also leverage the capabilities of digital tools within their day-to-day operations. By conducting safety audits using digital checklists to ensure that fire alarms, sprinklers, and exit routes are fully operational, FMs can efficiently ensure that all facets of their hotel are up-to-date and in compliance with the latest fire safety standards.

 

The Future Of Fire Safety Within The Hospitality Industry

As the hospitality industry continues to evolve, embracing digital tools for fire safety compliance is no longer optional but essential. By integrating digital solutions, hospitality FMs can easily mitigate fire safety risks to ensure guest safety while providing an exceptional experience for their guests at the same time.

With fire safety risks and regulations continuing to grow, FMs within the hospitality industry who prioritize educational resources will minimize fire-related disasters by ensuring they comply with the latest safety codes and standards. The future of fire safety within hospitality is digital, and it’s time for hospitality FMs to fully embrace the capabilities of digital tools to provide exceptional levels of safety.

By Kyle Spencer
From the August 2025 Issue of Facility Executive

Spencer is Director of NFPA LiNK at NFPA, where he oversees the strategic direction for the application and helps support ongoing development and content creation efforts. Spencer has spent over a decade working in the electrical products industry, learning from engineers and installers on how to make the products they use more efficient.