Hotels & Hospitality
Fire Suppression

Under NFPA 101, most hotels and motels three or more stories in height, or with more than 26 rooms, must have complete automatic sprinkler systems. Some older buildings may operate under grandfather provisions, but brand standards and insurance requirements typically mandate sprinkler protection regardless of code grandfather status. Check with your local AHJ for the applicable edition of NFPA 101 adopted in your jurisdiction.

Work with your contractor to schedule water flow alarm tests and main drain tests during low-occupancy periods, and ensure the central monitoring station is notified in advance to avoid false dispatch. Guest room inspections can typically be performed with normal housekeeping coordination. Major tests like standpipe flow tests may require temporary closure of affected areas and advance notice to on-site fire safety staff.

Review the new standards against your current inspection records and system documentation. Many brand-mandated requirements are more stringent than local code minimums, and franchise compliance is often tied to property renewal and brand audit results. Your fire suppression contractor should be able to gap-analyze your current status against the new requirements and provide a remediation plan.

Standpipe systems provide hose connections in stairwells and along corridors for use by fire departments during building fires. They are required in high-rise hotels and large-footprint buildings. NFPA 25 requires annual inspection of all hose connections, cabinets, and pressure-reducing valves, and a flow test every five years. Pressure-reducing valves must be tested annually to verify they deliver adequate residual pressure to each outlet.