Fire Safe Hotels
In setting federal lodging per diem rates, GSA is required by law to use only properties that are certified as being fire safe. The following explains this requirement in greater detail.
The policy of the federal government, as reflected in the Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Act of 1990 (Pub. L. No. 101-391, September 25, 1990 as amended by Pub. L. No. 105-85, November 18, 1997), referred to as "the Act" in this paragraph, is to save lives and protect property by promoting fire safety in hotels, motels, and all places of public accommodation affecting commerce. Federal employees are required by the Act to stay in a fire-safe facility (i.e., an approved accommodation) when commercial lodging is required. Additionally, employees are encouraged to report properties that don’t meet the requirements of the Act (hard-wired smoke alarms in each guestroom and an automatic sprinkler system in each guestroom if the property is four or more stories in height). A list of lodging properties that meet government requirements and a form to report non-compliant properties is on the U.S. Fire Administration's website.
Last Reviewed 10/28/2008