What Happens During a Hotel Fire Risk Assessment?
Fire safety is a critical responsibility in the hospitality sector. Hotels accommodate guests who sleep overnight and may be unfamiliar with the building layout, meaning they often rely entirely on staff to keep them safe. Because of this, a professional hotel fire risk assessment plays a vital role in protecting guests, staff, and property while ensuring legal compliance.
In this blog, we explain what happens before, during, and after a hotel fire risk assessment with City Fire Protection, along with the current fire safety regulations responsible persons should be aware of. Whether you operate a boutique guesthouse or a large multi-site hotel group, you’ll understand why a fire risk assessment for your hotel is essential for maintaining safety, compliance, and peace of mind.
What are the current regulations around fire risk assessments for hotels?
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, hotels in the UK are legally required to carry out a fire risk assessment. This legislation applies to all non-domestic premises, including hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, hostels, serviced apartments, and other accommodation providers – regardless of size.
The law places responsibility on the designated ‘Responsible Person’, which is typically the hotel owner, operator, facilities manager, or management company in control of the premises. In larger hotel chains, responsibility may be shared across health and safety teams, operations managers, and estates personnel, but ultimate accountability remains clearly defined.
As per UK government guidance, a suitable and sufficient hotel fire risk assessment must identify hazards, evaluate risks, implement appropriate safety measures, and be reviewed regularly to reflect changes in the building or how it’s used.
Preparing for a hotel fire risk assessment
Preparation helps ensure a smooth and effective fire risk assessment hotel process. Before our professional assessors attend, we recommend that hotel operators gather key information that supports a thorough review of fire safety arrangements.
This will often include:
- Up-to-date floor plans
- Maintenance records for fire alarms and extinguishers
- Servicing logs for emergency lighting systems
- Documented evacuation procedures
- Details of staff fire safety training, fire drills, and incident records
Being prepared allows our assessors to understand how fire safety in your hotel is currently managed and ensures your hotel fire risk assessment accurately reflects real operational conditions.
During a hotel fire risk assessment
A professional assessment at City Fire involves a detailed inspection of the entire premises. It focuses on fire hazards, preventative measures, evacuation procedures, and the effectiveness of existing fire safety systems, as we explore further below.
Guest bedrooms and sleeping accommodation
Guest rooms present unique considerations because occupants may be asleep, unfamiliar with escape routes, or unaware of procedures in an emergency. Our assessors will review fire detection coverage, door integrity, and evacuation information provided to guests. Furnishing, electrical equipment, and potential ignition sources are also evaluated.
Corridors, stairwells, and escape routes
Escape routes are a priority during any fire risk assessment hotel inspection. Our assessors check that corridors and stairwells remain clear, fire doors function correctly, fire signage is visible, and emergency lighting operates effectively. The aim is to ensure these routes support safe evacuation even during low visibility conditions.
Communal areas and facilities
Reception areas, restaurants, bars, conference rooms, gyms, spas, and leisure facilities all present their own unique fire risks. With this in mind, our assessors review occupancy levels, potential ignition sources, cooking equipment, electrical installations, and fire detection coverage to ensure these areas are adequately protected.
Back-of-house and staff areas
Kitchens, laundry rooms, plant rooms, storage areas, and staff accommodation often present higher fire risks than guest-facing spaces. That’s why our assessors will look closely at key elements such as heat-producing equipment, combustible materials, electrical safety, and housekeeping standards to reduce the likelihood of a fire occurring along with its severity.
After a hotel fire risk assessment
Once the assessment is complete, our assessors will produce a detailed report outlining identified fire hazards, risk levels, and recommended actions. These recommendations are typically prioritised so hotel operators understand which issues require immediate attention and which can be addressed as part of longer-term safety planning.
Acting on these recommendations quickly is essential. A completed hotel fire risk assessment is only effective if its findings are implemented, monitored, and reviewed. That’s why many hotels choose to work with specialist fire safety providers, like City Fire, as we can support with remedial work, maintenance, and ongoing compliance.
How often should a fire risk assessment for a hotel be reviewed?
A hotel fire risk assessment should be reviewed regularly to ensure it reflects the current risks. Annual reviews are typically recommended, but your assessment should also be updated whenever significant changes occur.
This usually includes:
- Any building refurbishments
- Hotel layout alterations
- Changes in occupancy levels
- Installation of new equipment
- Following a fire or near-miss incident
By regularly reviewing your assessment, you can ensure your fire safety arrangements remain effective as your hotel evolves.
We can help protect your guests, staff, and hotel
Fire safety is fundamental to protecting your reputation, your guests, and your business continuity. A professional hotel fire risk assessment helps ensure risks are identified early, legal obligations are met, and appropriate safety measures are always in place.
With the support of the LS Fire Group, we provide expert fire risk assessments that are tailored to all types of hotels and hospitality environments across the UK. Our qualified and experienced assessors will deliver clear reports, practical recommendations, and ongoing support to help you maintain compliance and keep everyone safe.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today to arrange your hotel fire risk assessment or to discuss how we can support your wider fire safety requirements.
Hotel fire risk assessment FAQs
- Is a hotel legally required to have a fire risk assessment?
- Yes. All hotels and accommodation providers are legally required to have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This legislation applies to all non-domestic premises, including hotels, guest houses, serviced apartments, hostels, and B&Bs regardless of their size. Failure to carry out an assessment or keep it up to date can lead to enforcement action, fines, or prosecution in cases of serious neglect.
- Who is responsible for a hotel fire risk assessment?
- Responsibility typically sits with the designated ‘responsible person’. This is usually the hotel owner, operator, facilities manager, or management company that has control over the premises. The responsible person must ensure a fire risk assessment hotel inspection is carried out by a competent, qualified individual, that findings are acted upon, and fire safety measures remain effective over time.
- How long does a hotel fire risk assessment take?
- The time required for a hotel fire risk assessment depends on several factors such as the size of the building, the number of floors, the complexity of facilities, and overall occupancy levels. Smaller hotels may only require a few hours for the assessment, while larger or multi-site premises may take longer. It’s important to allow for adequate time as this ensures the assessment is thorough and accurately reflects real risks.
- What happens if issues are identified during the assessment?
- If hazards or compliance concerns are identified during your assessment, these will be clearly outlined in the final report along with prioritised recommendations. Some actions may require immediate attention, such as obstructed escape routes, while others may form part of longer-term safety improvements. Acting on these recommendations is essential to maintaining compliance and ensuring the safety of both guests and staff.
- Can a hotel use an external provider for fire risk assessments?
- Yes, and it’s often considered best practice. While the legal responsibility remains with the hotel’s responsible person, appointing qualified external assessors, like City Fire, ensures the assessment is impartial, thorough, and aligned with current fire safety guidance. At City Fire, we bring experience in hospitality environments, an understanding of evacuation strategies for sleeping accommodation, and the ability to deliver clear, practical recommendations.
