In a recent article featured in Hotel Business, Koorsen Fire & Security presented tips and practices to improve security and safety for hotels. The greatest threat to hotel security and safety isn’t the lack of fire protection equipment or security systems, it is the failure to properly train and educate hotel staff on safety and security procedures.
From the article, we highlighted some of the top ways to improve hotel security and safety for your staff and your guests. You can also download and read the entire article below.
-
Review & Update Your Hotel Safety Program
With every addition or change you make to the hotel, you introduce new threats or hazards that must be accounted for in your security protocol. For that reason, Koorsen recommends to review and update your hotel safety program at least once a year.
-
Practice Emergency Drills & Scenarios with Hotel Staff
Your hotel should have documented action plans in the case of emergencies. These plans can vary according to the emergency and the location of the emergency. Take time to not only go over the different emergency and security breach scenarios, but to also practice them. By practicing emergency and security drills, your hotel staff will be better prepared and your guests will be better cared for in the event of an emergency.
-
Develop a Hotel Security Program
Your hotel security program should cover what to do in the event of a security breach, what security systems are installed, and how to operate the security systems. You should also train your staff on all security policies and teach them how to effectively assess the hotel for potential security threats at all times.
-
Provide Fire Safety Training for Hotel Staff
Your staff should be properly trained on what to do in the event of a fire. This includes training your staff on the hotel’s evacuation plans, the fire protection systems, and how to operate a fire extinguisher. This could also include proper training on kitchen suppression systems if your hotel has a commercial kitchen.
-
Inspect, Test & Maintain Security Equipment
Your hotel security system can’t do its job if it’s not properly installed, maintained, implemented, and professionally monitored. Security components should be inspected on a regular basis to ensure they are working properly. The security system needs to be properly used by the hotel staff in order to be effective. For instance, a security system’s card assess system can’t secure a door if the door is propped open.
-
Inspect, Test & Maintain Fire Protection Equipment
The first line of defense against a fire is your hotel’s fire protection equipment. This includes the fire extinguishers, emergency exit lights, fire sprinkler system, fire alarm strobes and horns, fire alarm pull stations, and the fire alarm panel. It is of utmost importance for the life and safety of your staff and guests to always have the fire protection equipment regularly tested and inspected by professionals as required by codes and regulations. It is also a good practice to visually inspect all fire protection components.
To learn more about protecting and securing your hotel, contact a Koorsen Fire & Security associate today. Koorsen has been installing, maintaining, inspecting, testing, and servicing fire protection and security systems for hotels for over 70 years.
Want to learn more about commercial security systems? Download our FREE comprehensive guide to business security!
