A Hotelier that "maybe" selling up

[stewbow]

A RA was carried out on a 4 storey 80 bed plus hotel over a year ago. Whereas there is a fire alarm system in the ground floor areas and on the corridors, ther is no protection within any of the bedrooms. Also the sounders are so far apart that some of the bedrooms will struggle to hear tyhe alarm even with the doors open and the tv's switched off.
A quotation for installing a seperate addressable system to cover the bedrooms (including sounders) was accepted. This system was to be interconnected with the existing system. The work was to be carried out during this winter.
The hotelier is now saying that there is an offer in the air, which might result in the hotel being demolished and replaced with a block of flats.
I was just wondering where he stands at the moment, and what should he be doing in the way of informing the authirities of his situation, and there's always the big "what if there was a fire" question to be resolved.

I would be greatful for any comments.

I have an interest in the fire alarm installation company, but the hotel owner is also a good friend.

[jokar]

Simple, he has to comply with the law of the land.  He should not operate without a suitable and sufficient FRA in place which will consider the guests as relevant persons and protect them accordingly.  He could quite easily operate outside of the law and tax dodgers and Mot dodgers do until they get caught.  If he has a fire the local FRA will enforce the law and god forbid if anyone gets injured or killed he will be prosecuted.

[CivvyFSO]

If he can prove that it is not reasonably practicable to fit a better alarm system then that is his only defense if challenged. BUT, lack of warning in sleeping risks is not something that is ever taken lightly by FSO's. (And the fact it was pointed out to him a year ago and he is still operating in the same conditions will not help his case)

Could a cheaper 'temporary' option be to stick a few more sounders in on the old alarm system? Or a radio linked wireless alarm system? He can take that with him wherever he goes next.

[Midland Retty]

If he can prove that it is not reasonably practicable to fit a better alarm system then that is his only defense if challenged. BUT, lack of warning in sleeping risks is not something that is ever taken lightly by FSO's. (And the fact it was pointed out to him a year ago and he is still operating in the same conditions will not help his case)

Could a cheaper 'temporary' option be to stick a few more sounders in on the old alarm system? Or a radio linked wireless alarm system? He can take that with him wherever he goes next.

Good point well made if I may say so.

As CivvyFSo states just because the premsies may be demolished it doesn't negate the need for the hotelier to implement temporary measures.

OK perhaps it would be a bit onnorous to ask him now to go to any great expense but equally his backside would not touch the floor if someone were to be injured (or worse ) in a fire.

At the end of the day how long is a piece of string - how long could the hotelier string this out and say that he is waiting for final confirmation on the offer and a date for when the hotel will be demolished?

Its a tactic used to try and thwart FSOs sometimes, and used as an excuse not to spend money to uprgade existing provisions.

[Dinnertime Dave]

Just issued an Enforcement Notice on a hotel that a week later is for sale. Most of the problems relate to management so the owner is better off getting rid. The time is up for the work to be complete in three weeks. A potential buyer is giving me grief about its contents. All I can state is what is on the public register.

Nobody said it would be easy.

[kurnal]

Stewbow
He is skating on thin ice. If the fire service were aware of the deficiencies they would certainly serve an enforcement notice. But if its one of the big seaside towns these standards seem fairly common place. Stayed at one 4 storey hotel in Bournemouth last year with a manual alarm system only (but only for one night!)

[Chris Houston]

Why does the location (seaside) influence the standard?

[kurnal]

Pressure of work. Lots of hotels and so little time to get round them all I assume.

[Graeme]

A quotation for installing a seperate addressable system to cover the bedrooms (including sounders) was accepted. This system was to be interconnected with the existing system. .

i would have had the old system linked into the new via zone monitors and sounder control units.
does away with having to reset two panels.