Fire Risk Assessment in a Hotel Premise - Coursework Example

Name : xxxxxx Tutor : xxxxxxx Title : Fire Risk Assesment Institution : xxxxxxx @2016 Abstract This paper details the fire risk assessment in a hotel premise that accommodates an approximate of two hinder guests at a go. It details an insight analysis as well as data collection from the premise. The report also presents bowtie diagrams, risk matrix, fishbone diagrams, FMEA, event trees, reliability block diagrams, fault tree as well as a cost-benefit analysis for the premise under consideration. Introduction Fire is one of the most dangerous hazards that is known to take many lives if not anticipated and prevention is difficult. However, an elaborate risk of fire occurrence basement within a premise is important in determine the possible risk of fire occurring as well as putting appropriate fire prevention measures2. It is stipulated by law that regular review of fire risk assessment is the responsibility of the management of the premise as a way ensuring the safety of the premise occupants. In 1st October 2006, the regulatory reform (Fire Safety) order 2005 was put in a place as a governing law to ensure that fire user or occupants of any premises is covered from fire hazards. The law requires that the responsible person referred to as RP should carry out a fire risk assessment a put in place measures to reduce or eliminate any risk of fire12. Hotels as one of the premises that are considered as prone to fire hazards should be carefully considered for fire risk assessment. The fact that its occupancy is always full or rather is rarely null calls for measures to ensure that the safety of the occupants is under constant monitoring11. SWOT Analysis The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities as well as threats analysis of a hotel as a fire risk premise as well as its need to be subjected to a regular review of fire risk analysis is as detailed below. Strengths The hotel has a dedicated fire prevention department with a well-equipped machine to help counter any fire hazards with the hotel. Planned and scheduled proactive training of the staff personnel is undertaken in all the departments within the hotel management. The training entails on fire prevention, the do`s and don`ts during fire hazards among others. The fire department is regularly budgeted for in every financial year to help in making upgrades to the firefighting machinery available. The hotel has a direct line to the nearest fire department for easier signaling or communication to the fire department during fire breakouts. Weaknesses The fire department based in the hotel staffing is not sufficient to counter major fire hazards and in such case, the success of firefighting is dependent on the help and response of the nearest fire department. The level of technology of the equipment available in the department of fire based in the hotel is lower and may not successfully fight a major fire breakout. The cost of running the fire department is higher i.e. the per capita cost allocated to the department s higher and may reduce the return of the hotel in the long run. The funds allocated to the fire department is relatively lower as compared to the requirement of the department to have the capacity to handle major fire hazards. Opportunities There is an existence of a centralized dispatch services with the police department based in the area. The fire department in the hotel receives stipends from the fire department within the municipality for helping out in handling some of the firefighting operations within the locality. This helps to increase the total return of the hotel. Threats A competitive fire department requires a major funding to attain the standard equipping so as to be able to protect the hotel fully from destruction due to fire hazards. The hotel, however, cannot afford to allocate this amount of funding to one department, and this threatens the functionality of the department. The fire department currently does not meet the standards required by the fire safety policy regarding the installation of enough horse reels, availability of large volume of water as well as the availability of enough personnel with technical knowhow in firefighting. Pending negotiations to allocate more funding to the fire department will strain the economic performance of the hotel in their quest to meet the standard requirements of a fire fighting department. The above SWOT analysis summarizes the dynamics within the firefighting department and would help in determining the best course of action for the benefit of an optimal performance of the hotel in its goal to thrive economically. Fishbone diagram The fire risk assessment is fully dependent on design and implementation of an effective fire risk strategy12. The plan should cover or take care of all the possible fire hazards and should achieve the primary goal of protecting the premise from a fire hazard. The fire department in the hotel under consideration should, therefore, develop a highly effective risk plan. The risk plan or strategy should include identification of hazards as well as assessing the risks. A comprehensive evaluation of the existing risks, as well as the review of the risk assessment, should be covered by the risk plan. Control of the implemented risk strategy should be regularly monitored to determine its effectiveness in fire risk assessment. The diagram below summarizes the various components of the general fire strategy in a simple fish-borne diagram. All the components i.e. hazard identification, risk assessment, implementation of the strategy, evaluation of its effectiveness, review, as well as control all, work together to achieve the common goal of fire safety. Bowtie Analysis The bowtie analysis of the hotel as a fire risk premise can be summarized in a simple diagram referred to as a bowtie diagram. The bowtie diagram represents a summary of the possible causes of fire hazard in the promise, the possible outcomes of the hazard as well as the measures available in place to mitigate the effects of fire breakouts. Figure 2: Bowtie diagram Risk Analysis Risk Ranking From the risk checklist from the hotel, a risk rank can be generated based on the information from the checklist1. To come up with the list ranking for the hotel, values were assigned to selected variables based on the statistical evidence from the previous years. The variables represent both the positive as well as the negative fire safety characteristics. Below is a risk rank from a typical hotel premise as the one under consideration. Figure 3: Risk ranking for a hotel premise. Overall risk matrix To get a pictorial distribution of the risk assessment results as well as the distribution of hazards within a fire safety phenomenon, a risk matrix diagram must be drawn8. The fire hazard classification table is important is assigning values to the various fire hazards as shown below. For the hotel premise under consideration, the fire hazard distribution table will be as shown below. Fire Hazards Description Value Fire risk description Negligible 1 Unlikely Slight 2 Possible Moderate 3 Quite possible Severe 4 Likely Very severe 5 Very Likely Table 1: Risk Matrix Classification Table Thus from the above values, a risk matrix will be developed and will be as shown below. Table 2: A risk matrix table Failure Model Effect Analysis The reliability analysis for the existing fire models was performed by using FME analysis3. The FMEA analysis is a step-wise process whose methodology is as described by the flow diagram below. Figure 4: FMEA analysis steps flow diagram. The steps followed in the failure model effect analysis in the hotel is as shown below. Identity function The identity function is to determine the main causes of fire hazards as well as possible preventive mechanisms within a hotel premise6. Therefore, fire causes, as well as prevention, is the main function of the failure model effect analysis. Possible causes The main possible causes of fire hazards in the hotel include Sources of ignition Smokers within the hotels undesignated for smoking areas such as rooms and lounges. Electrical faults due to naked wires or short circuiting. Boilers working in an uncontrolled manner may result in an explosion due to high pressures. Hot processes e.g. welding by maintenance teams. Cooking equipment e.g. cookers in an uncontrolled manner. Gas leaks within the gas lines within the hotel. Faulty lighting equipment’s e.g. halogen lamps. Obstruction of ventilation of equipment may result in overheating leading to ignition. Arson or I’ll intentioned personnel within or not within the organizational structure may ignite fire by any means. Failure modes The explosion of boilers due to excessive or uncontrolled pressure within the system results in a huge risk of fire. The sparks from then faulty electric lines such as the naked wires may ignite adjacent materials and result in huge fires. Overheating within a room due to ineffective or obstruction of the ventilation system may lead to ignition of highly flammable substances within the hotel resulting in huge fires. Sudden flames from cooking equipment e.g. electric cookers result in flames while using pans with highly flammable cooking fats, in the cooking area of the hotel results in fire hazards. Possible effects of failure The main and most evident effect is huge fire flames. Destruction of hotel property by the fire flames as a result of a fire hazard. Loss of life especially if the fire happens spontaneously and if the existing infrastructure of exit is not well planned. Losses regarding economies of scale would be incurred by the hotel due to loss of property and the need to reconstruct most of the hotel infrastructure after fires. Review current control processes The review of the current fire control processes within the hotel is summarized as shown in the table below. Control Item Description Remarks Smoke detection systems Available in corridors Convenient Fire extinguishers capacity All Refilled Good Location of fire extinguishers Corridors Convenient Fire exits Two Fair Location of fire exits End of each corridor Convenient Horse reels Two Convenient Table 3: Review of current control strategy Fire detection The existence of fire within the hotel building is determined by use of the various equipment as shown below2. Smoke detectors – the smoke detectors placed conveniently at the corridors detect fire by detecting the presence of smoke within the hotel corridors. This method of fire detection is fully dependent on the existence of smoke. Temperature sensors – the systems works by detecting any presence of sudden or abnormal rise in temperature within the building. The sensors are convenient places in various parts of the hotel and are operation at all times. Any fire detected is followed by a switching of a fire alarm system. CCTV camera – the hotel is under a 24-hour surveillance of CCTV cameras placed conveniently within the hotel and are used to monitor any presence of smoke or occurrence of any fire within the vicinity of the hotel as well as the field of view of the various surveillance cameras. Calculation of RPN Risk priority number is determined by determining the severity, occurrence as well as detection of any risk of fires within the hotel premises. Severity The table below summarizes the severity of the fires and gives a severity ranking as shown. Table 4: Severity ranking table Occurrence The occurrence was determined based on the past failure assessment of similar occurrence. Table 5: Occurrence classification and rating Detection The assessment of the ability of the current control to detect an occurrence of fire can be summarized in the table shown below. Table 6: Detection Summary Calculation of RPN Considering the following data as the average of the hotel severity, detection as well as occurrence data; Severity = 8, occurrence = 1, Detection = 2  4 Therefore RPN = 8 x 2 x 1 RPN = 16 Possible risk mitigation strategies The following risk mitigation strategies were recommended as a safety mechanism for the hotel premise under consideration. The fire detection mechanism should be upgraded to the newer technologies that can detect slightest possibly of fire hazards. The number of fire protection equipment such as the fire extinguishers should be increased. The fire exits should be increases so as to increase the availability of exits especially at the end of each corridor. The fire safety department should be more equipped so as to have the capacity to fight major fire hazards in case of any occurrence. Fault tree Below is a diagram of a fault tree analysis for the fire hazard in the hotel premise under consideration. Figure 5: Fault tree analysis Event tree diagrams The event tree diagrams for the hotel premises is shown below. Figure 6: Fault tree diagram Reliability block diagram The reliability block diagram for the fire risk containment in the hotel premise under consideration is as shown in the figure below9. Figure 7: Reliability block diagram Comparative cost benefit analysis The comparative cost benefit analysis for the hotel premise implementation of the recommendation from the FMEA analysis are as summarized in the table below.   Current Year (CY) CY +1 CY +2 CY +3 CY +4 CY +5 Costs   1 Fire extinguisher equipment $ 300.00 $ 200.00 $ 100.00 $ - $ - $ - 2 Latest tech smoke detectors $ 200.00 $ 200.00 $ - $ - $ - $ - 3 Latest tech temp sensors $ 100.00 $ 100.00 $ - $ - $ - $ - 4 Increase personnel $ 500.00 $ 500.00 $ 500.00 $ - $ - $ -   Total Costs (Future Value) $ 1,100.00 $ 1,000.00 $ 600.00 $ - $ - $ - Total Costs (Present Value) $ 1,100.00 $ 980.39 $ 576.70 $ - $ - $ - $2,657.09                 Benefits   1 Increased fire safety $ 800.00 $ 800.00 $ 800.00 $ 800.00 $ 800.00 $ 800.00 2 Direct profits $ 500.00 $ 400.00 $ 300.00 $ 400.00 $ 400.00 $ 400.00 3 Reduce losses (fire related) $ 300.00 $ 300.00 $ 200.00 $ 300.00 $ 300.00 $ 500.00   Total Benefits (Future Value) $ 1,600.00 $ 1,500.00 $ 1,300.00 $ 1,500.00 $ 1,500.00 $ 1,700.00 Total Benefits (Present Value) $ 1,600.00 $ 1,470.59 $ 1,249.52 $ 1,413.48 $ 1,385.77 $ 1,539.74 $8,659.10 Present Value Discount Rate 2% Cost Benefit Analysis Total PV Benefits $8,659.10 Total PV Costs $2,657.09 NET BENEFIT 6,002.01 Table 7: The comparative cost benefit analysis Optimum budget allocation analysis Based on the cost-benefit analysis, the optimum budget allocation can be designed to achieve the optimal outcome from the implementation of the fire risk assessment recommendations1. Allocation of more funds for purchase of fire extinguishers as well as smoke detectors and temperature sensors gives more output. Reduction or an increase of personnel working in the fire department should not be considered as of higher priority. The increase of personnel increases the cost of recurrent expenditure and may result in a slow economic growth of the hotel premise under consideration. The table below summarizes the outcome of optimization of the budget allocation within the system.   Current Year (CY) CY +1 CY +2 CY +3 CY +4 CY +5 Costs   1 Fire extinguisher equipment $ 300.00 $ 200.00 $ 200.00 $ - $ - $ - 2 Latest tech smoke detectors $ 200.00 $ 200.00 $ 200.00 $ - $ - $ - 3 Latest tech temp sensors $ 100.00 $ 100.00 $ 200.00 $ - $ - $ - 4 Increase personnel $ 100.00 $ 100.00 $ 100.00 $ - $ - $ -   Total Costs (Future Value) $ 700.00 $ 600.00 $ 700.00 $ - $ - $ - Total Costs (Present Value) $ 700.00 $ 588.24 $ 672.82 $ - $ - $ - $ 1,961.05                 Benefits   1 Increased fire safety $ 1,200.00 $ 1,200.00 $ 1,200.00 $ 1,200.00 $ 1,200.00 $ 1,200.00 2 Direct profits $ 500.00 $ 400.00 $ 300.00 $ 400.00 $ 400.00 $ 400.00 3 Reduce losses (fire related) $ 400.00 $ 400.00 $ 400.00 $ 400.00 $ 400.00 $ 500.00   Total Benefits (Future Value) $ 2,100.00 $ 2,000.00 $ 1,900.00 $ 2,000.00 $ 2,000.00 $ 2,100.00 Total Benefits (Present Value) $ 2,100.00 $ 1,960.78 $ 1,826.22 $ 1,884.64 $ 1,847.69 $ 1,902.03 $11,521.38 Present Value Discount Rate 2% Cost Benefit Analysis Total PV Benefits $11,521.38 Total PV Costs $ 1,961.05 NET BENEFIT 9,560.32 Table 8: Optimized Budget Allocation A reflective comparison of methods A reflective comparison of fire risk assessment methods is as summarized in the table below. Table 9: Comparative assessment table Conclusion With effective implementation of the fire risk assessment policies as required by law, the premise despite accruing more profits would ensure its safety at all times. However, implementation of this policy should be careful designed to avoid losses as a result of lack of optimization. References 1. Wright, D. and Inspector, F.S., 1999. Fire risk assessment. A viewpoint. Fire Saf Eng, 6(6), pp.7-8. 2. Chuvieco, E., Aguado, I., Yebra, M., Nieto, H., Salas, J., Martín, M.P., Vilar, L., Martínez, J., Martín, S., Ibarra, P., and De La Riva, J., 2010. Development of a framework for fire risk assessment using remote sensing and geographic information system technologies. Ecological Modeling,221(1), pp.46-58. 3. Torrent, J.G. and Querol, E., Fire Risk Assessment. Fires in Silos: Hazards, Prevention, and Fire Fighting, pp.33-49. 4. Grzeszkiewicz, M., Pride, T. and Davis, W., 1984. Fire Risk Assessment. InOCEANS 1984 (pp. 791-795). IEEE. 5. Council, P.C. and House, W., 2010. FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT. 6. Yebra, M., Chuvieco, E. and Riaño, D., 2008. Estimation of live fuel moisture content from MODIS images for fire risk assessment. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 148(4), pp.523-536. 7. Mbow, C., Goıta, K. and Bénié, G.B., 2004. Spectral indices and fire behavior simulation for fire risk assessment in savanna ecosystems.Remote Sensing of Environment, 91(1), pp.1-13. 8. Tsai, C.H. and Chen, C.W., 2011. The establishment of a rapid natural disaster risk assessment model for the tourism industry. Tourism Management, 32(1), pp.158-171. 9. Yebra, M., Chuvieco, E. and Riaño, D., 2008. Estimation of live fuel moisture content from MODIS images for fire risk assessment. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 148(4), pp.523-536. 10. Mbow, C., Goıta, K. and Bénié, G.B., 2004. Spectral indices and fire behavior simulation for fire risk assessment in savanna ecosystems.Remote Sensing of Environment, 91(1), pp.1-13. 11. Brillinger, D.R., Preisler, H.K. and Benoit, J.W., 2003. Risk assessment: a forest fire example. Lecture Notes-Monograph Series, pp.177-196. 12. Olenick, S.M., and Carpenter, D.J., 2003. An updated international survey of computer models for fire and smoke. Journal of Fire Protection Engineering,13(2), pp.87-110. Read More

The fire department in the hotel under consideration should, therefore, develop a highly effective risk plan. The risk plan or strategy should include identification of hazards as well as assessing the risks. A comprehensive evaluation of the existing risks, as well as the review of the risk assessment, should be covered by the risk plan. Control of the implemented risk strategy should be regularly monitored to determine its effectiveness in fire risk assessment. The diagram below summarizes the various components of the general fire strategy in a simple fish-borne diagram.

All the components i.e. hazard identification, risk assessment, implementation of the strategy, evaluation of its effectiveness, review, as well as control all, work together to achieve the common goal of fire safety. Bowtie Analysis The bowtie analysis of the hotel as a fire risk premise can be summarized in a simple diagram referred to as a bowtie diagram. The bowtie diagram represents a summary of the possible causes of fire hazard in the promise, the possible outcomes of the hazard as well as the measures available in place to mitigate the effects of fire breakouts.

Figure 2: Bowtie diagram Risk Analysis Risk Ranking From the risk checklist from the hotel, a risk rank can be generated based on the information from the checklist1. To come up with the list ranking for the hotel, values were assigned to selected variables based on the statistical evidence from the previous years. The variables represent both the positive as well as the negative fire safety characteristics. Below is a risk rank from a typical hotel premise as the one under consideration. Figure 3: Risk ranking for a hotel premise.

Overall risk matrix To get a pictorial distribution of the risk assessment results as well as the distribution of hazards within a fire safety phenomenon, a risk matrix diagram must be drawn8. The fire hazard classification table is important is assigning values to the various fire hazards as shown below. For the hotel premise under consideration, the fire hazard distribution table will be as shown below. Fire Hazards Description Value Fire risk description Negligible 1 Unlikely Slight 2 Possible Moderate 3 Quite possible Severe 4 Likely Very severe 5 Very Likely Table 1: Risk Matrix Classification Table Thus from the above values, a risk matrix will be developed and will be as shown below.

Table 2: A risk matrix table Failure Model Effect Analysis The reliability analysis for the existing fire models was performed by using FME analysis3. The FMEA analysis is a step-wise process whose methodology is as described by the flow diagram below. Figure 4: FMEA analysis steps flow diagram. The steps followed in the failure model effect analysis in the hotel is as shown below. Identity function The identity function is to determine the main causes of fire hazards as well as possible preventive mechanisms within a hotel premise6.

Therefore, fire causes, as well as prevention, is the main function of the failure model effect analysis. Possible causes The main possible causes of fire hazards in the hotel include Sources of ignition Smokers within the hotels undesignated for smoking areas such as rooms and lounges. Electrical faults due to naked wires or short circuiting. Boilers working in an uncontrolled manner may result in an explosion due to high pressures. Hot processes e.g. welding by maintenance teams. Cooking equipment e.g. cookers in an uncontrolled manner.

Gas leaks within the gas lines within the hotel. Faulty lighting equipment’s e.g. halogen lamps. Obstruction of ventilation of equipment may result in overheating leading to ignition. Arson or I’ll intentioned personnel within or not within the organizational structure may ignite fire by any means. Failure modes The explosion of boilers due to excessive or uncontrolled pressure within the system results in a huge risk of fire. The sparks from then faulty electric lines such as the naked wires may ignite adjacent materials and result in huge fires.

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