Overseas Property Inspection Tips

If you are staying in a hotel during your inspection trip, stay on as low a floor as you can.  I have been sent some upcoming stats on hotel safety in one of the emerging markets. Hotel design, staff training and fire safety are often dangerously poor. Okay, the chances of a fire happening when you are there are remote. But you never know. He following thoughts are also worth considering if you are buying into an apartment block of any kind...

Get the lowdown on your hotel's fire safety - check before booking

In Britain, the Fire Precautions Act requires hotels sleeping more than six people to have a Safety Certificate showing that the building has fire doors, protected escape routes, a fire alarm and fire extinguishers. Does your hotel have such a Safety Certificate?

Ask and look and see where fire doors, protected escape routes, the fire alarm and extinguishers are. In the US, The Hotel and Motel Fire and Safety Act requires a smoke detector to be fitted in each guestroom along with a sprinkler head linked to an automatic sprinkler system.

Hotels in many of Europe's top package holiday destinations fall far below British and US standards. On arrival, check the fire regulations. These should form part of any welcome pack or be on the back of your room door. Check the location of the nearest fire alarm, emergency exit etc.   

Make sure your room is in the safest possible place

If you are in a hotel that's hit by fire or some other catastrophe, you'll want to get out fast and safely. Take a room that's no higher than the seventh floor. Why? Because you'll then be low enough to be reached by fire equipment in a worst-case scenario.

Overlooking a patio, courtyard or swimming pool may seem nice, but it's not good safety-wise. These features may prevent fire engines from getting to you. Jumping into a swimming pool from a great height is easier said than done, especially when it's dark, your room is full of smoke and you're in fear for your life. Jumping should always be a last resort.

Trying to break into an adjoining room, climbing onto an adjacent balcony using tied together sheets and even climbing down to a balcony below dangerous though this is should be considered as last-choice alternatives.     

Know what to do if there's a fire

Activate a fire alarm or phone reception to notify them as appropriate. In a restricted area, close doors and windows to try to isolate the fire and prevent the spread of smoke and fumes. Leave as quickly as you can rather than tackling the fire. Don't be a dead hero.

If you're caught in smoke, drop to your hands and knees, and then crawl as necessary. Air quality and visibility are better the lower you are. Keep close to a wall to help you find your way. It's easy to become disorientated quickly in smoke.

Before opening doors, use the back of your hand to check if the doorknob is hot. You'll want to avoid burning your palm as you may need to hold onto things as you escape. Open cautiously, even if cool, smoke may be spreading fast. Stay low. Head for the nearest exit.       

Make certain you can escape from your room in a fire.

If you are trapped, close the door and seal gaps around and under it to delay smoke and flames. Seal with wet towels, curtains, bedding, rugs etc - soak in the bath, shower or basin. Don't forget the toilet cistern should still have water even if the system is turned off. If you have air conditioning in the room, switch it off fast. It may draw smoke in.

Try to attract attention from your window by shouting, waving a light-coloured towel or sheet, banging cutlery on crockery or whatever will be most effective in the circumstances.

Drape wet towels or sheets above and behind you to protect yourself from smoke and to make it easier to breathe. If you need to break out of your room into an adjoining one, try going through the back of fitted cupboards - or use bathroom fittings to break through.                   
 
Other tips and tactics

Try to choose a hotel with a reception that's staffed around the clock. It helps to have a central point if fire does break out. Check that you have a phone in your room, and that it works (it's surprising how few holidaymakers check their phones).

Walk the route you'll take to the nearest emergency exit in the event of fire. It's useful to note key features along the way. If you can pace it out whilst holding on to the wall, even better in a worst-case scenario.

Always act if you hear a fire alarm unless you've been told it's a practice, of course. It's tempting to assume that it's a fire drill, especially if other holidaymakers are not responding. Finally, never smoke in bed - the most obvious tip, but one which many people ignore. It's one of the most common causes of fire.