Ensuring Safe Evacuation of our Disabled Guests

Richard RaeburnSenior ManagerSafety & Security - Europe

Safety & Security Team

• 3 Senior Regional Managers• Corporate Policy Production

• Legal Compliance & Technical Advice

• Hotel Auditing

• New Openings/Conversions

• European Estate

• Manage 10 UK Area/Hotel Safety Managers

•Responsible for:• Fire Safety

• (Disability Compliance)

• Food Safety

• Occupational Health & Safety

• Hotel Security

•Crisis Management & Business Recovery

•Trading Standards

•Private Sector Housing (HMOs)

•Licensing Enforcement Issues

•Environmental – Regulatory Issues. (E.g. Noise, Statutory Nuisance)

Fire Safety Partnerships

Lead Authority Partner

Lothian & Borders Fire & Rescue Service

Memorandum of Understanding

London Fire Brigade & Hilton Worldwide

1st Agreement between London Fire Brigade and a Hotel Chain

Hilton in the UK & Ireland

• 79 Owned/Managed Hotels

• 5 Brands within the Hilton Family

•Millions of visitors per year

•Hotels with up to 1000 Bedrooms

•Conference Rooms holding up to 2000 delegates

•Visitors of all kinds: Corporate, Tourism, Elderly, Family & Young Children, Disabled Conferences

• Additional Fire Safety Factors to Consider: International Visitors, Sleeping Guests, Air Crew, Remote Locations, Hotel Staff Turnover

Identifying Disabled Guests – How Easy?

• Reservations (Phone/Web)

• Conference Organisers

• Previous Stays & Hotel Knowledge

• Family & Friends Bookings

• Walk-Ins (No advance reservation)

• No Detectable Disability

• Reluctance to Advise Hotel Team

• Size and Layout of Premises

Persons to Consider

Mobility Impaired

Visually Impaired

Hearing Impaired

Need to include persons with:

Asthma

Downs Syndrome

Mental Health Conditions

Dyslexia / Orientation Disorders

Learning Difficulties

Autism

Behavioural Difficulties

How We Manage Evacuations...

Personal Emergency

Evacuation Plans

We use 4 categories of PEEP

–Guests (overnight stays)

–Health Club Members

–Conference and Events Delegates

–Team Members

What is a PEEP?

•Tailored to the individual’s needs, giving detailed information on their requirements during an escape.

•A plan to allow those who may have difficulties during an evacuation to do so in the safest possible way and allowing them the maximum amount of time.

•Produced by Hotel staff in conjunction with the individual where the plan is agreed based on their location and activities within our buildings.

•Just because someone is disabled does not mean that a PEEP will be created.

PEEPs

• We have a legal and moral duty to ensure a means of escape for all staff, guests and visitors

• Emergency evacuation plans will not rely on the intervention of the Fire and Rescue Service

• Failure could be viewed as a breach in legislation and as discrimination

• Good communication with disabled people about fire or emergency evacuations is vital to ensure success

How We Manage Evacuations...

Reception Equipment

Fixed or portable induction loops are provided and tested regularly to ensure conversation with Reception Staff is as good as possible for those with hearing impairments.

Example of Guest PEEP

•Offered/Produced at Check-In

•PEEPs sign must be displayed

•Evacuation chairs are not considered as an automatic solution to the escape requirements of wheelchair users.

•Copy of the PEEP given to the Guest and to those who are part of the evacuation plan.

•The Fire Coordinator will receive a copy and will pass to the Fire & Rescue Service as necessary.

•Other PEEPs follow the same format

PEEP Matrix

Emergency Support Equipment

Non-Audible Alerts

Evacuation & Wheelchairs

Fire Keys

Refuge Communications

Hotel Accessibility Pack

• At the reservation stage a copy of the Hotels Accessibility Pack can be provided to the guest.

The pack details hotel facilities before disabled guests arrive.

• The Pack contains:

– Accessible equipment available in the hotel

– Details of services at the hotel and how disabled guests can access them

– Details any obstacles such as steps that may pose mobility difficulties

–Details of accessible room facilities

–How to obtain further advice before the visit

Wider Fire Safety Precautions

-Planned evacuations conducted 6 monthly (or more as required)

-Fire Training (Days, Nights, Fire Team, Senior Managers, Emergency Procedures)

-Fire Risk Assessment Annually

-Annual Safety & Security Audits

-Bi-Monthly Departmental Checks

-Weekly Fire Alarm Tests

-3 x 24hr Fire & Security Tours

-Emergency/Crisis Boxes/Grab bags

- External PA Systems

- Remote CCTV Monitoring

-Nominated Contractors for all Fire Safety Systems’ Service and Maintenance

-Annual Departmental & Management Disability Training

Any Questions ?