User Manual

Siemens Switzerland Ltd

Building Technologies Division

2.3. Fire detection in hotels

A total surveillance concept is most applicable for fire detection systems in hotels, ensuring that the entire

building is monitored. This includes not only all rooms, corridors, staircases and anterooms, but also all air

conditioning and cable ducts, supply shafts, false ceilings, raised floors, and similar structures which permit smoke

and fire to spread.

Most hotel fires are started by heat generated by overheating or malfunctions in electrical equipment, or electrical

arcing. Another important category of ignition source is heat or open flames from candles, cigarettes, lighters,

and matches. Hot embers or ashes, molten, hot material, and heat generated by friction are further fire sources.

Special attention should be given to critical areas where many people may be present, areas with numerous heat

sources, large fire loads or significant deception phenomena.

Critical areas include the following:

• Guest rooms

• Kitchens

• Laundries

• Restaurants

• Stairways

• Parking garages

• Plant rooms

2.3.1. Guest rooms

Typically the greatest proportion of a hotel’s floor area is

occupied by the guest rooms themselves. These are also

the least controllable areas since guests cannot be

included in the organizational fire protection measures.

The large variety of ignition sources, such as overheated

electrical devices (fridge, TV) or careless handling of

smoking products or candles put hotel guests in great

danger, especially when fire starts during the night.

The fire detection system needs to warn people in the

guest rooms before a dangerous situation has time to

develop due to hazardous smoke. In addition,

unnecessary alarming, triggered by steam or cigarette

smoke, must be prevented. Depending on the room

dimensions a smoke detector or a multi-sensor fire

detector with the combination smoke/heat is

recommended for monitoring guest rooms.

More detailed information regarding fire detection in

guest rooms is given in the document

“fire detection in

guest rooms”.