Statement
Our client a world leading Hotelier Chain required a company to provide a uniform Evacuation Policy for its UK and Ireland Hotel Operations. The delivery of evacuation equipment and the provision of full training and maintenance services would be made available at regular intervals as required by each Hotel Premises.
Introduction
Tasked with initially providing a uniform evacuation chair product for the many different styles of Hotel premises within the Hilton Brand of Hotels, KFive provided an assessment trial of multiple evacuation chair products for assessment with the Health & Safety Team at Hilton. Here we looked at the features and benefits of the different evacuation chairs to ensure we selected the best and most suitable product to meet the building fabrication challenges of so many different premises. This was looked at in conjunction with providing their customers with the most suitable passenger transfer when using the equipment whilst considering the available operators and passenger types.
Upon completion of selecting the most suitable evacuation chair product, KFive were then to supply a complete and robust training and maintenance service programme as required by legislation and law. This was agreed and presented in an address to the whole Health & Safety Team to ensure all queries, questions and concerns were met and addressed before delivery of the full training and maintenance services commenced.
Methodology
In order to provide the correct evacuation equipment we trialled 5 different types evacuation chair and selected the premises of one of their most difficult Hotels to evacuate from. Working with the Health & Safety Team and advising the client on the features and benefits of the different operational elements of the evacuation chairs we selected, we provided an initial assessment of ease of deployment, passenger comfort, weight capacity and operator safety of each product. From this selection we then trialled the chosen chairs on the stairs completing a full demonstration of operation with passenger load on the stairs, completing a practice evacuation from the building.
This also served to demonstrate the full use of the equipment and the subsequent training that would need to be provided to ensure safe and competent use of the equipment in the event of an emergency evacuation.
All equipment requires an annual maintenance and safety check and upon completion of the distribution of each piece of equipment to each relevant Hotel, an asset register was completed by Health & Safety Region. Each piece of equipment was then put into a Route Plan. Each Hotel was then given a specific schedule for the completion of annual maintenance checks and a uniform service cost regardless of location.
Findings
Equipment
From our assessment we were able to select the most suitable evacuation chair based on the Methodology above, in this case the KFive Saver Safe, for use in all Hilton Hotels requiring this type of equipment.
Hilton were also advised that where there were any transit/transfer style chairs (those without tracks) situated at any Hotels that these were to be removed from service in providing evacuation on stairs as they increase risk of injury to more individuals and can ONLY be carried downstairs and not tracked. It was advised that if required these could be used to transfer a passenger on ground/level floor ONLY.
Training
The delivery of training on the equipment was met by KFive by offering the customer 3 options of training sessions. The training sessions were designed to meet the different needs of the Hotels. Considerations were required for the number of rooms and numbers of guests due to location or season, the staff numbers within the Hotel, the facilities provided (leisure, spa, ballrooms etc), the number of escapes and exits and the 24/7 operation of the Hotel to ensure all shifts were covered.
To cater for all requirements of each different Hotel’s needs KFive provided a choice of 3 options again at a uniform cost and increased the delegate numbers allowed on each session to cover more heads and offer even more value.
1. Single Operator Training Session – Evacuation Chair Training
2. Double Operator Session – Evacuation Chair Training
3. Train the Trainer Session – Evacuation Chair Training
Maintenance
Upon providing the health & Safety Team with an asset register of all evacuation equipment we scheduled the required annual maintenance and safety checks visits into a Route Plan. A uniform cost was achieved by allowing us to strictly adhere to each Route plan. Hotels were contacted by ourselves prior to each service visit and each piece of equipment is clearly labelled and Certificated for the next 12 months. Certification and advice is then provided on the engineers report to each Hotel and Health & Safety Team Regional Manager.
Conclusions
Working with The Hilton Brand of Hotels for over 3 years we have been able to provide each Hotel as required a Uniform Evacuation Chair, Training and Maintenance Programme meaning that any movement of individuals through promotion or otherwise have the ability to recognise and use equipment across the whole Group. We continue to work with Hilton on an evergreen contract supplying and advising on their evacuation needs.
The selected KFive Saver Safe has always proved exceptionally popular with operators and passengers alike and has been used for real providing life saving equipment in 2 separate Hotel Evacuations, including one from 28 stories.
The training has served to deliver a high number of trained individuals all certificated by KFive and with a large number of those as trainers within the group, we have through our regular assessment of their skills ensured that they remain proficient and safe in using this equipment. We are proud to ensure that the support they receive remains compliant, current, regular and required.
Maintenance is annually conducted and booked by our Service Team to ensure no lapses of accreditation happen for the equipment and that the service and maintenance works are conducted by our skilled engineers and delivered on time with the minimum amount of fuss and disruption, ensuring that the equipment remains compliant as is required by law.
References
Product selected https://evacuation-chair.co.uk/store/evacuation-chair-tips/saver-safe-evacuation-chair/
or if unsure you can use our unique Chair Finder
Training offered here
Or something bespoke call or email for advice: 01582 882839 – info@kfive.co.uk
Maintenance Programmes/ad-hocs or One Offs: https://evacuation-chair.co.uk/service-maintenance/