The tragic hotel fire in Türkiye reminds us all to be vigilant when we travel anywhere, even in the U.S. It is up to us to make sure we ask about fire safety and protection measures at the hotels we book. We can’t take it for granted.
The proliferation of wildfires in the urban-wildlife interface areas worldwide are a prime example of how we must rethink how we build and protect our homes and communities. Resort facilities in such places are often not built with wildfires in mind. And yet, sustainable measures do exist to protect hotels and resorts in these desirable wild places. Beyond simply protecting the buildings’ inside, there are tried and tested measures to protect the outer envelope as well. Building materials resistant to fire and considered sustainable and not toxic exist. Landscaping schemes to create fire breaks and still maintain the natural beauty of a site also exist. Anytime we humans alter the natural environment around us, we need to ensure that measures are in place to maintain the protective elements we have put in place. As part of the process we also need to re-assess our approach and change it as necessary to reduce our impact on the nature we share the site with. Reducing humans’ impact on the environment while still managing to build in the urban-wildlife interface is not easy but can be done.
Because we cannot control climate or humans’ desire to enjoy nature in such places, fires, floods, earthquakes, etc. will occur.
Travelers/vacationers don’t usually think about unpleasant stuff – fire, robberies, earthquakes, terrorism, etc. – but they happen. The power is in the traveler’s hands: ask about fire detection and alarm systems, about fire sprinkler systems, self closing room doors, emergency lighting of exit paths and protected exit stairs, about emergency procedures/instructions. These are the basics. For anything over four stories or located in remote/hard to reach areas, ask if there is an emergency generator and what it powers.
The deaths and destruction in the Turkish hotel were preventable. The location of the hotel on the side of a cliff and far from fire fighting teams compounded the tragic outcome of the fire. According to occupants who fled, either there weren’t adequate exits, fire detection and alarm system and/or fire sprinkler system, or they didn’t work as designed. In this day and age that is a crime of negligence. These systems are accepted and almost universally adopted by major hotel chains.
Planning of resorts built in distant locations needs to take into consideration what might happen. Locating a building with adequate access for fire fighting teams and rescue workers is essential for the safety of the occupants.
Inspected, tested and well maintained systems work and protect occupants if they are not somehow compromised. They give occupants time to safely evacuate. The placement of buildings and structures, their fire hardened outer construction – to protect them from flying embers – and natural, well maintained fire breaks, also provide a large measure of protection to visitors and the nature they have come to enjoy.
In the end, it’s up to us to ensure we don’t find ourselves trapped when traveling: ask the travel agent, call the hotel and ask. The first steps towards our own fire and life safety.
April Hammond
Fellow SFPE, retired FPE