End-to-end passive fire protection services in the hospitality sector

The realities of fire safety in hotels

For many hoteliers, passive fire protection feels like one more challenge among many.

More than a technical minefield, it brings logistical, financial, and regulatory pressures along with it:

Protecting a 24/7 guest experience

Fire safety measures must be delivered without noise when guests are resting, without obstruction when events are in progress, and without compromise to human lives at any moment. Where possible, it also needs to be invisible. Seeing operatives in uniform or active works in progress can trigger unnecessary concern among guests, even when there is no cause for alarm.

Discretion, therefore, becomes critical. Whether it’s conference delegates expecting full focus, or leisure travellers seeking rest and reassurance, fire safety must never undermine the sense of calm and control that hospitality environments promise.

No two settings are ever the same

The very nature of hotel buildings – architecturally complex, designed over multiple phases, and often steeped in heritage features – makes interventions anything but straightforward.

No two sites are ever the same - and a corridor in a boutique property presents completely different fire safety considerations than a conference wing in a major chain hotel.

Operations can never pause

With varying occupancy patterns, it also requires meticulous planning to know what’s taking place and when. These are bustling environments that never pause. Bedrooms are booked, lobbies are busy, and facilities are in use all day, every day. This makes traditional, invasive fire safety works deeply impractical.

Guests don’t expect to hear saws or drills during their stay, and hotel teams don’t have the luxury of closing off large areas of the building without major operational consequences. But even the simple act of integrating or replacing a fire door in a corridor can unintentionally block access to stairwells or exits, introducing new fire safety risks in the name of resolving others.

Every hour a room is out of service is lost revenue, placing speed and precision among the ultimate non-negotiables. 

In demanding environments, our teams have adapted their on-site approach - carrying out the works using alternative methods and techniques - ensuring disruption is kept to an absolute minimum

Compromises have serious consequences

Fire safety also carries a set of evolving technical complexities. Fire doors degrade with use, seals shrink over time, and daily wear, coupled with high footfall and frequent refurbishment, can erode critical passive protection. Renovations, refits, and upgrades – whether for aesthetics, acoustics, or access control – can unknowingly compromise compartmentation and fire integrity. Even seemingly minor adjustments, like swapping out a lock or fitting new door furniture, can result in a door failing to meet its required fire performance. 

Worryingly, many operators only become aware of compliance issues when it’s too late – either following a failed audit, during an incident investigation, or when more intrusive works reveal hidden problems. At that point, the widespread costs can be difficult to recover from.

The price of non-compliance

Beyond the technical, financial, and operational context, hotel managers must also keep tightening regulations front of mind. While certain hotel types may not yet fall directly under emerging frameworks such as the Building Safety Act, the obligations set out by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the broader suite of building regulations remain firmly in place. These include ensuring all passive fire protection elements, such as fire doors and compartmentation, are fit for purpose, correctly installed, regularly maintained, and backed by documented evidence of compliance. 

If hotels fall short, the risks are not only financial penalties but the loss of guest trust, brand damage, and, above all, the endangerment of human lives.