GOALS OF INTERIOR FINISH
Interior finishes in the Hotel buildings have been a leading factor in flame spread. In hotels the use of combustible surface finishes on walls, ceilings and curtains used inside guest rooms, affects the safety of the occupants. Such finishes tend to spread the fire and add intensity to the fire. It also produces toxic fumes and leads to property damage. It is essential that the finishing material used in the building should be such as to limit the spread of fire and should not generate toxic fumes /smokes. Building materials and interior finishes play a crucial role in enhancing fire life safety in hotels. Their selection and application can significantly impact fire prevention, containment, and safe evacuation.
The provision of safe evacuation routes is one of the more important life safety aspects in hotel buildings. A correct choice of interior finish materials in these routes is a key aspect to reach this goal.
Combustible interior finish materials can lead to a quick fire spread and block the access to exits or even the exits themselves. Such scenarios can be avoided by selecting interior finish materials that are more difficult to ignite.
It is not the intention of this article to prohibit the use of certain interior finish materials in guest rooms them selves. One should however consider that fewer combustible materials in the rooms will lead to lower fire spreads and to more time for the occupants to escape safely.
CHOICE OF INTERIOR FINISH MATERIALS
The following guidelines, can be followed for selection of building materials:
1. Fire-Resistant Materials
· Structural Elements: Use fire-resistant materials for critical structural components like walls, floors, and ceilings. These materials help contain fires and prevent them from spreading quickly. The higher the building, the more attention is needed to the choice of interior finish materials since both evacuation and intervention take longer time.
· Concrete and Steel: These materials are non-combustible and can maintain structural integrity during a fire, reducing the risk of collapse. The use of sprinklers can lead to less stringent requirements for interior finish materials. Materials that are easily ignitable (low density fibre boards, wood-based panels, plastic based insulation products) should however be avoided at all times.
2. Fire-Retardant Finishes
- Paints and Coatings: Use fire-retardant paints and coatings on walls, ceilings, and structural elements to slow the spread of flames and reduce smoke production.
- Fabrics and Upholstery: Select fire-retardant fabrics for curtains, furniture, and other textile elements to minimize the risk of ignition and flame spread.
3. Compartmentation
- Fire Walls and Barriers: Install fire-rated walls and barriers to divide the building into compartments, limiting the spread of fire and smoke. This compartmentation helps contain fires to smaller areas and provides safe egress routes.
- Fire Doors: Use fire-rated doors in corridors, stairwells, and between compartments. These doors should have self-closing mechanisms and be kept closed to maintain compartmentation.
4. Non-Combustible Materials
- Flooring: Use non-combustible or low-combustible flooring materials like ceramic tiles, stone, and certain types of treated wood to reduce the fuel load and slow the spread of fire.
- Insulation: Choose non-combustible insulation materials, such as mineral wool or fiberglass, to prevent fire spread within walls and ceilings.
- Exit enclosures: It should consist completely of non-combustible elements: concrete elements, gypsum finishes, ceramic materials, metal ceiling elements, rockwool elements for false ceilings. Plastics or other combustible materials are never allowed.
- Corridors and lobbies : It should consist of non-combustible materials and of materials that are hard to ignite. Test certificates should be presented for plastic and wood materials to demonstrate that the material is hard to ignite and thus suitable to use.
5. Smoke Management
- Smoke Barriers: Install smoke barriers to prevent the movement of smoke through the building, helping to maintain clear egress routes and reducing smoke inhalation risks.
- HVAC Systems: Design HVAC systems with smoke control features, including smoke dampers and exhaust fans, to manage smoke and prevent it from spreading to other areas of the hotel.
9. Regulatory Compliance
- Building Codes: Adhere to local and national building codes and fire safety regulations, which dictate the required standards for materials and finishes in hotels.
- Fire Safety Audits: Regularly conduct fire safety audits to ensure compliance with codes and identify areas for improvement.
Conclusion
The selection and application of building materials and interior finishes are critical components of a comprehensive fire life safety strategy in hotels. By using fire-resistant, fire-retardant, and non-combustible materials, implementing compartmentation and smoke management ,and ensuring proper maintenance and regulatory compliance, hotels can significantly enhance the safety of their occupants and property. This proactive approach not only helps in preventing and containing fires but also ensures a safer and more secure environment for guests and staff.