| A U.S. Fire Administration Coffee Break Training "Commodity Fire Protection" issued on September 1, 2009, does not directly address storage practices or concerns for lodging establishments. But it reminded your author that your practices in storage of equipment and commodities can create a major hazard for your establishment. For the release, please visit http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/coffee-break/cb_fp_2009_35.pdf.
Tables, chairs, platform sections, podiums, materials and items in cartons, crates and on skids should not be stored on stair landings (even temporarily) or in any fire exit way. That includes every passageway that is part of the internal way for exit in the event of a fire or other emergency. Admittedly, a continuing problem back of the house is where to store items that can be readily accessed from a safe storage facility. Assign a committee from the Executive Committee representing engineering, housekeeping, food and beverage and any other departments with a vested interest to establish a space and storage allocation protocol.
Complete a thorough inventory of all items stored in storage rooms, linen closets and other spaces that have been commandeered for storage; such as machine rooms, fan rooms, electric closets and other such spaces where they should not be stored under any circumstances. Make sure all flammable and/or explosive materials are properly stored in an approved fire protected container. In a large property, there may be a paint storage or paint spray facility. Such an installation must comply with NFPA 33 Spray Application Using Flammable and Combustible Materials, 2007 Edition and EPA Clean Air Act Standards.
Also, ensure that materials that might react violently if mixed due to leakage or other container damage .are not stored together. An example of that is in a storage unit at poolside that might be disguised as a cabana, rustic cabin or other feature. In this incident petroleum product, used for a power mower, was stored on a shelf with a chlorine product used for treating the pool. The petroleum leaked and soaked through the chlorine container and created a fire that could only be extinguished by foam or dry chemical. The more water applied, the greater the blaze.
Be sure there is an inventory of all stored materials retained at the front desk for information of the fire or other emergency responders.
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DO YOUR EQUIPMENT AND COMMODITY STORAGE PRACTICES ENDANGER YOUR PROPERTY AND OCCUPANTS?