Don’t Let a Motel/Hotel Fire be Your Vacation’s Biggest Tall Tail (2024)

By Kirstin Greaney-Stanger, Deputy Fire Marshal

Summer is upon us and with it comes trips and travel for many families across the country. Each year according to the NFPA there is an estimated 3,900 hotel and motel fires that caused 15 deaths, 100 injuries, and $100 million in property losses. According to the NFPA this is a decline from 1980 where an estimated 12,200 fires occurred in hotels and motels.

The sharp decline is due in part to substantial code changes requiring smoke alarms and automatic extinguishing systems in hotels and motels, along with the lodging industry redefining what “fire-safe” meant in their industry. Yet smoke alarms were not present in 10 percent of nonconfined fires in occupied hotels and motels between the years 2014 and 2016. Additionally, automatic extinguishing systems were not present in 45 percent of reported nonconfined fires in occupied hotels and motels during that same time period. The lodging industry has evolved since 1980 but it is up to the districts to make sure the hotels and motels are in compliance with the codes and standards set for their districts.

When inspecting a hotel or motel, here are some of the common fire code violations that may be located. These violations are just a few that could greatly affect the outcome of a fire if one occurred within a hotel or motel:

• Section 705 Door and Window Openings:
  • Fire doors are not propped open with wedges or door stops. Fire doors must be able to manually close or remain in the closed position. If fire doors utilize a hold-open device, do the doors fully close and latch from the open position?
• 901.6 Inspection, testing, and maintenance:
  • Fire protection and life safety systems shall be maintained and in an operative condition at all times. Do the smoke detectors, fire alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors work? Was the sprinkler system serviced on a regular basis, and is it on?
• Section 906 Portable Fire Extinguishers:
  • Are there fire extinguishers on site within the approved minimum distance of travel? Are the fire extinguishers charged, and have they been serviced yearly?
• Section 915 Carbon Monoxide Detection:
  • Carbon monoxide detection shall be provided in dwelling units and sleeping units that are served by a fuel burning appliance, fuel burning fireplace, and fuel burning forced-air furnace.

Does the Hotel or Motel have an Emergency Response Plan? What is it and where do I find them?

• 403.9.1.1 Evacuation Diagrams:
  • A diagram depicting two evacuation routes shall be posted on or immediately adjacent to every required egress door from each hotel or motel sleeping unit.

Most hotels and motels will post an evacuation diagram with the fire safety plan on the back of the door to the room or on the wall near the door to the room. Have you seen one of these diagrams before? If so, have you ever read the content on the evacuation diagram? Knowing what is on the evacuation diagram will assist those staying at the hotel or motel to escape or remain safe in case of a fire.

What does a good fire safety evacuation plan have and what does it entail?

According to Section 404 of the IFC here are some things an evacuation plan and fire safety plan may contain:

• The procedure for reporting a fire or other emergency, which would include phone numbers.
• Floor plans identifying the locations of exits, primary evacuation routes, secondary evacuation routes, areas of refuge, and exterior areas for assisted rescue.
• Manual fire alarm box locations
• Portable fire extinguisher locations
• Shelter in place areas or storm shelter locations

More in-depth fire safety plans may contain:

• A life safety strategy, which could include procedures for notifying occupants and procedures for evacuating occupants, including those who need evacuation assistance.
• Site plans indicating the occupancy assembly point, location of fire hydrants, and the normal routes for fire department vehicle access.
• A list of major fire hazards associated with the normal use and occupancy of the premises, including maintenance and housekeeping procedures.
• Identification and assignment of personnel responsible for maintenance of systems and equipment installed to prevent or control fires.

For more information or informative material for risk reduction in your community, click here. If you or your department needs assistance with risk reduction ideas or has code questions, please feel free to reach out to the North Dakota State Fire Marshal’s office and we’ll be happy to help you.