FIRE SAFETY GUIDE FOR HOTELS

Most hotels in major cities in which BP staff will stay while on business trips,
are reasonably secure. In other hotels, the risk of fire may be substantially
higher. In either case, for your own peace of mind and for your safety in
case there is a fire, please read the following information carefully. Pay
special attention to the smoke safety instructions since smoke inhalation
causes more fatalities than fire itself. Make sure everyone in your party or
meeting reads it as well.
WHEN YOU CHECK INTO YOUR ROOM…

1. Locate the nearest fire exits and walk down them.

2. Examine the staircase layouts and alternative escape routes.
3. Count the doors between your room and the nearest fire exit
and remember how many there are.
4. Study your windows to see how and if they open.
5. Keep your key and flashlight next to the bed when you are in the
room.
6. Locate the nearest fire alarm.
7. Locate the nearest fire extinguisher.
8. Read the hotel’s fire instructions.
9. Know the room numbers of other members of your party.
 IF THERE IS A FIRE…

 Use the fire alarm if there’s one nearby, or call the hotel reception. Call
the Fire Department personally, if possible.
 Remain calm. You will be much safer if you are thinking clearly rather
than panicking.
 Leave immediately if the fire is in your room, and close the door behind
you.
 Alert other members of your party to the danger if nearby, or call them
on the telephone.
 Crawl to the door if your room is smoky. Even in heavy smoke there will
be 2” to 3” of clear air at floor level.
 Feel the door with the back of your hand before leaving your room. If
it’s hot, don’t open it. If it’s cool, open your door slowly, just enough to
check the hall. Be ready to slam the door shut in case of fire or heavy
smoke in the hall.
 IF YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR ROOM-
LEAVE AT ONCE!

1. Take the key with you.

2. Keep a wet cloth over your nose and mouth or wrap a wet towel around you.
3. Close the door behind you.
4. Crawl to the fire exit, staying near the wall. Even if you don’t see smoke, toxic
fumes can be invisible and air is always fresher, close to the floor.
5. Knock on doors and shout to warn people along the way.
6. Recall the number of doors to the nearest fire exit and count them as lights may
be off or go off during a fire.
7. Do not use the elevators. Use the stairway only.
8. If the stairway is smoke-filled, try an alternate fire escape, only return to your
room if all escape routes are blocked.
9. If stairway is clear, proceed downstairs holding the handrail.
10. If downward descent on stairway is blocked, determine if stairway has roof
access and if accessible, go to the roof.
 IF YOU CANNOT LEAVE YOUR ROOM…

1. Fill the bathtub and sink with cold water.

2. Seal your room by wetting towels, sheets, etc. in the bathtub and placing them around the cracks in
the door, and the window if fire is outside.
3. Turn off the air-conditioner.
4. Open the window if there’s no smoke outside. Don’t break the window unless necessary as you may
need to close it later.
5. Throw water onto hot surfaces (walls, doors, etc.) using a trash can, ice bucket, etc.
6. If smoke enters the room, wet a cloth and tie it over your nose and mouth in a triangle for easier
breathing.
7. Wave a wet towel in the room to clear any smoke.
8. Signal for help. If the telephone works, use it, or hang a bed sheet out a window or flash a light.
9. Jumping is dangerous above the second or third floor and will almost certainly result in serious
injury. Wait for rescue.
10. If, as a last resort, you have to leave via the window, make a rope of sheets, throw out the mattress,
climb down as far as possible, hang by your hands and then drop onto the mattress.
 REMEMBER

1. When you check into your room,

locate the nearest fire exit.

2. If there is a fire, leave at once! Use

the normal escape routes first.

3. Plan – don’t panic.