Overheard in the Back Office: Eight Sprinkler Outage Claims at Casinos, Fact-Checked
Walk through the engineering office or the security break room of almost any large casino and the same sentences float around. “It’s only a few hours.” “The cameras have it covered.” “We’ve never had a problem.” Many of these statements may be partially correct; that is precisely why they persist. Some create problems quietly with the inspectors and insurance companies.
As insurance companies become increasingly vigilant with loss analysis and rising premiums, and as regulators focus on hospitality facilities, it may be worth verifying each of these statements with respect to fire code and underwriter thinking. Those who have already done their casino sprinkler impairment fire watch planning prior to the work will not have to listen to these statements nearly as often. Here are eight of the most frequent, along with their verdicts.
“It’s only going to be down for a few hours.”
Verdict: Risky.
A power outage may seem like a small matter, but there is no way of knowing when a fire will occur. The floors of a casino have carpets, cushioned furniture, thousands of electrical appliances, and patrons present all the time. Local authorities normally establish time limits for when the interim measures are implemented, and some even insist on being informed irrespective of the time frame.
“The cameras will spot anything.”
Verdict: Helpful, not sufficient.
Surveillance systems at casinos are excellent, yet they’re designed to watch people and play, not to smell smoke or put out a trash can fire. Operators can direct attention, and that’s valuable. But most codes still call for a person physically in the impaired area, ready to act. A dedicated patrol pairs that human presence with logs and communication tools, so cameras become a support layer instead of the whole plan.
“Our security guards can cover it.”
Verdict: Usually not enough.
The security staff is already occupied with issues of guests, money transporters, door guarding, and crowd control. Assigning them another duty of patrolling would stretch their hands and weaken them in all respects. Patrolling with the aim of fires needs special training related to ignition points, use of fire extinguishers, alarms, and proper documentation.
“We’ve done this before and nothing happened.”
Verdict: Luck isn’t a plan.
The past performance is no guarantee for future performance. The building layout will change; new equipment will be installed, the number of guests will increase, and the personnel will change as well. The same building, which was safe last year, could be unsafe due to the new conditions this year. Each impairment deserves its own review, and a casino sprinkler impairment fire watch should be scoped to the building as it stands today.
“Only the gaming floor matters.”
Verdict: Too narrow.
Many fires tend to start away from the machines in kitchens, laundry rooms, electrical closets, loading docks, and parking garages. A comprehensive interim plan should include all areas that can be served by the affected zone, which includes back-of-the-house hallways.
“Paperwork can wait until the repair is done.”
Verdict: Backwards.
Live documentation is always more credible than retrospective documentation. The date and time of events, names of people, number of rounds taken, dangerous areas pointed out, and notifications need to be documented live. The chronology will always have more impact when reviewed by the adjuster or inspector later on.
“Telling the insurer will raise our rates.”
Verdict: Hiding it costs more.
Most insurance policies stipulate that any substantial impairment must be immediately notified to them, and not notifying them may lead to conflicts following a loss incident. Insurance companies appreciate operators who demonstrate accountability and have personnel assigned and logs maintained more than the silent ones.
“The repair is the hard part.”
Verdict: The hard part is everything around it.
The technical task is generally fairly easy for an experienced contractor. The difficulties are coordination, communication, and making sure that a busy site is operated safely throughout the process. With proper interim coverage organised beforehand, the repair task itself is the easy one.
What the Fact-Check Reveals
In looking at the eight claims, the following pattern becomes obvious:
- Planning is frequently supplanted by assumptions concerning speed, technology, and staffing.
- Authorities and insurance companies mainly need to be shown proof of coverage.
- Overlooked issues, such as back-of-house and garages, pose very real dangers.
- Communication early in the process solves more issues than any equipment..
A Practical Starting Point
Facilities that wish to improve themselves in this respect could begin with an internal audit:
- Describe the impairment process on one sheet of paper.
- Document all of the sprinkler zones, along with their coverage.
- Name one supplier who can get going fast.
- Rehearse the notification process at least once a year.
- Keep all log sheets, test results, and invoices in one place.
Final Thoughts
A casino depends on self-confidence, and a little goes a long way. As far as fire protection is concerned, however, self-confidence is best paired with a good plan. It only takes a quick check of some back office myths for reality to really pay off when a valve shuts down.
