Fire Safety in European Hotels Dr SD Christian

Fire Safety in European Hotels Council Recommendation 86/666/EEC Fire Safety in European Hotels

Address the need to update and/or improve the Technical Guidelines; Working Group of national technical experts on fire safety in Hotels co- ordinated by an independent Rapporteur.

Fire Safety in European Hotels Section 19 of the Report contained the complete revision of all the original Technical Guidelines contained in the 1986 document.

Fire Safety in European Hotels The updating and amendment of the technical guidelines took into consideration the progress since 1986 in respect of later Council documents and published harmonized technical European standards.

Fire Safety in European Hotels The work was completed against a background of recognising that in May 1994, the European Parliament asked the Commission Services to come forward with its proposals for a Directive (1). (1) OJ C 205 of p.163.

Fire Safety in European Hotels Report in 2001 from the Commission. On the application of the Council Recommendations of 22 December 1986 on fire safety in existing hotels (2). (2) COM (2001) 348 final

Fire Safety in European Hotels Consumer Policy Strategy (3). From the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy was presented to the European Parliament in January 2003 by the appointed Rapporteur Philip Whitehead (3) COM(2002) 208-C5-0329/ /2173(COS).

Fire Safety in European Hotels Among the positive Resolutions was a repeated call for a Directive on fire safety in Hotels.

Fire Safety in European Hotels Relevant, subsequent Directives: 95/2001 – General Product Safety; 89/106 – Construction Products; 89/391 – Safety & Health of Workers at Work; 89/654 – Minimum Health & Safety Requirements

Fire Safety in European Hotels Many of the provisions of the Council Recommendation now appear to have become statutory provisions of these, later Directives.

Fire Safety in European Hotels In particular, the provisions of the 89/391 (Framework) and 89/654 (Workplace) Directives now apply vigorous measures to ensure the safety of workers at their place of work.

Fire Safety in European Hotels The 89/654 Directive (Article 9(1)(A) required an employer to carry out a risk assessment within the workplace to identify hazards.

Fire Safety in European Hotels A fundamental part of any risk assessment is the fire behaviour of the contents.

Fire Safety in European Hotels The combustion behaviour of the contents, such as upholstered furniture has long been a concern of the Commission Services.

Fire Safety in European Hotels Annex D of the revision of 86/666 comprised the recommended performance of the contents (textile end- use applications) in Hotel bedrooms and public areas.

Fire Safety in European Hotels This in one area where there are many European Standards available, they include: EN597; EN122952; EN 1021 EN 13722; EN 9239

Fire Safety in European Hotels So, where are we now?

Fire Safety in European Hotels In 2001, the Commission presented a Report on the application of 86/666 (4) This Report presented the broad outlines for further initiatives & activity on fire safety in Hotels. (4) COM ( final

Fire Safety in European Hotels The Report was widely circulated within the Member States and the period of consultation finished on 15 November 2003.

Fire Safety in European Hotels The Report acknowledged the entitlement of consumer and hotel staff to protection against fire in hotels

Fire Safety in European Hotels The Council Recommendation 86/666 has been revised. The amended Technical Guidelines were also the subject of consultation with the Member States.

Fire Safety in European Hotels Finally, a Consumer Safety Working Party documents (5 & 6) listing priority service sectors under consideration for EU measures related to safety specifically mentions fire safety. (5) Working Document D. (6) Working Document E

Fire Safety in European Hotels The Commission Services are now considering their response

Fire Safety in European Hotels Thank you for your attention. Dr. SD Christian