Professor Dr. Fahri Erenel, Head of the Department of Occupational Health and Safety and Faculty Member of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at İstinye University, discussed the potential causes of the hotel fire in Bolu and provided recommendations on what should be done during a fire.
After the hotel fire disaster in Kartalkaya, Bolu, the causes of the fire and why it couldn't be brought under control continue to be discussed. Professor Dr. Fahri Erenel, Head of the Department of Occupational Health and Safety and Occupational Safety Expert at İstinye University (ISU), explained the potential causes of the hotel fire in Bolu. He pointed out that one of the reasons was that the hotel was not regulated according to the “Regulation on Fire Protection of Buildings,” and also provided suggestions on what should be done during a fire.
“The hotel’s failure to comply with the regulation is one of the causes.”
Professor Dr. Fahri Erenel spoke about the issues regarding the Kartalkaya hotel fire:
“The problem is the failure to take the measures clearly stated in the legislation and the negligence of those responsible for oversight or departments on this matter. One of the reasons is that the hotel was not regulated according to the ‘Regulation on Fire Protection of Buildings.’ According to the regulation, the following should be in place: use of fire-resistant materials, emergency directions, presence and fire resistance of emergency escape stairs, alarm buttons, escape corridors, alarm, warning, extinguishing, and smoke control systems. Even for low-risk workplaces, there is an obligation to work with an occupational safety expert. If the necessary assessments were not made by this expert, or if they were made but the employer responsible for implementation did not comply, this is also a cause. It is the employer’s responsibility to continuously conduct or commission risk assessments. If these assessments were not conducted, or even if they were, non-compliance with the specified issues is evident. Even if there is an emergency plan, how well it is implemented through drills, whether the results of the drills are recorded, and whether an appropriate team was formed according to the emergency plan are crucial. The adequacy of the training, material sufficiency, and whether a protocol with the fire department and a joint scenario-based drill were conducted are also insufficient. Occupational health and safety training methods and adequacy are among the reasons.”
There may be many reasons for the rapid spread of the fire
Professor Erenel also mentioned the possible reasons for the rapid spread of the fire:
“The use of non-fire-resistant materials, inadequate fire extinguishing systems, malfunctioning emergency warning and evacuation systems, and the accumulation of carbon monoxide gas due to the failure of ventilation systems caused by power cuts due to the fire. There is a lack of practical emergency training, especially for kitchen staff, regarding how to act in case of an emergency. There was no prior cooperation established with the fire department. In most hotel fires, it is observed that they start in the kitchen areas. There is insufficient occupational safety training for kitchen personnel. Risk assessments were either not conducted, or if conducted, not applied. The inadequacy of the occupational safety expert, or even if they made a warning, the failure to heed it, are also among the causes.”
What can be done to prevent it?
When asked about what measures can be taken in general to prevent fires in living spaces and public areas, Erenel responded:
“The following points should be observed: Full compliance with the provisions of the Regulation on Fire Protection of Buildings, covering floors and façades with fire-retardant chemical materials, providing portable retractable ladders in hotel rooms that can be hung from the windows in such risky buildings, ensuring the presence of emergency escape masks in rooms, preferring fire-resistant materials for items such as curtains, bedspreads, carpets, etc., especially in rooms. It is necessary to inform guests about what to do in an emergency, along with a welcome tea, through a film.”
“You should learn how to use a fire extinguisher and teach your family members.”
Erenel also pointed out some points to consider before going to a hotel:
“When planning to stay at a hotel, it is necessary to check the hotel’s emergency preparedness through social media or the media. The emergency exit corridors, doors, and stairs should be identified both during the day and night, and shown and explained to your family if staying together. It is also important to review the hotel’s emergency plan and always keep the room key with you. Since smoke accumulates above, it is essential to crawl or move low to the ground. You should learn how to use a fire extinguisher and teach your family members.”
“If your clothes catch fire, never run.”
When discussing what to do in the event of a fire, Erenel provided the following recommendations:
“A fire has an initial combustion phase, which occurs as a chemical reaction when combustible material, heat, and oxygen come together. If the combustion is not controlled, it quickly turns into a fire. The fire is an uncontrolled form of combustion. What needs to be done is to remove at least one of these three elements from the other two. For example, if the fire starts in the room, opening the window will allow oxygen to enter and rapidly turn the combustion into a fire. Similarly, the door should not be opened quickly. If your clothes catch fire, the most important thing is to never run. Running will increase your exposure to oxygen. You can lie down and roll, or cover yourself with a blanket or coat. If someone else is on fire, you can do the same for them. If available, you can use sand or water. Water should never be used in electrical fires. Knowing how to use a fire extinguisher, especially in low visibility conditions like darkness, and getting accustomed to drills is crucial.”