A Building That Never Closes: Twenty-Four Hours Inside a Casino and What It Means for Fire Safety

Most commercial buildings are generally abandoned at night time. Office spaces become deserted, retail establishments are closed and the maintenance staff is allowed some peaceful time to fix sprinklers, alarms, and wiring. Not for casinos. They have to remain operational 24/7, lighted and bustling with activity throughout the night. In case a zone has to be taken out of operation in terms of sprinklers, it cannot be done “after closing,” since there is no closing.

This determines what interim protection entails and how much more important planning becomes than a typical guest can ever imagine.

A casino fire watch has to fit around a live floor, trained personnel patrolling impaired areas without disturbing guests or interrupting play. Looking at the property hour by hour shows why that’s both tricky and necessary.

6:00 a.m. — The Quiet Shift

The morning time is the most peaceful period. Cleaning teams are on their jobs, vacuuming carpets and wiping machines. Truck drivers park their vehicles at the loading dock. Kitchen staff begin the preparation of the breakfast service by heating ovens and fryers.

Fire hazards angle: The cooking equipment and cleaning chemicals come to the center of attention. The grease accumulation in the kitchen hood and the bunch of rags soaked in the cleaning solution can ignite fire unnoticed. Maintenance services are usually planned during this time because there is no much traffic, therefore, impairments prevail.

12:00 p.m. — Lunch Rush and Convention Prep

Restaurants fill. The conference rooms are prepared by adding stages, curtains, and temporary lighting. The contractors undertake renovations in the corners of the building.

Fire risk: The event setups have décor materials, electrical cords, and staging in addition to fireworks in some cases. The construction activities involve hot work and dust generation.

Every one of these activities changes the risk picture for the day.

6:00 p.m. — Crowds Arrive

Guests flood in for dinner, shows and weekend play. Corridors thicken with people. Valet lanes stack up. Slot rows glow from wall to wall.

Fire angle: Fire angle: The occupancy load is at its peak, and the evacuation pathways become crucial. The exit signs should be visible, doors unlocked, and pathways free from any obstructions..

11:00 p.m. — Peak Floor Hours

Late evening brings the highest energy. Smoking areas fill, bars serve at full speed and thousands of machines draw power at once.

Fire angle: The electrical load reaches its peak level. Ashtrays and used cigarette stubs as well as thrown cups in the vicinity of the seats pose fire risks. People responsible for conducting fire watches in a casino will always pay close attention to these locations first. Moreover, noise will also mask alarms.

3:00 a.m. — The Thin Hours

The crowds dwindle, but the place is anything but deserted. The security guards patrol the outside of the property. Financial transactions take place behind closed doors. Maintenance employees toil away in mechanical rooms and overhead.

Fire angle: As there are fewer eyes on the ground, any growing issue could go unnoticed for a longer period of time. This is when a patrol earns its keep. Staff walking quiet areas can spot a warm electrical panel, a smell of burning plastic or a smouldering item left in a trash can.

What the Clock Tells Us

Risk is present at all times, though it takes a different form at different times. For this reason, any patrolling plan devised for a casino must allow for some degree of flexibility. This is because the same path may be varied according to the time of day and the priorities therein.

During an average intermediate patrol, the staff members are well equipped with blending into the crowd and communicate effectively with the surveillance team, security team, and the property’s life safety team. The surveillance cameras provide clues while the guards provide confirmation.

Practical Points for Live Properties

• Coordinate with the security and surveillance teams so as to make sure that everyone knows who is on patrol duty and their exact locations.
• The uniform and equipment used must be discreet enough but still noticeable.
• More care has to be taken for those areas which are rich in fuel, such as the kitchen, stage and storeroom.
• It is important to keep in mind that the whole process of record keeping and documentation must be up to the mark.
• Consider other important events going on such as tournaments, concerts and holidays.

Regulatory Backdrop

Gaming regulators, fire marshals and insurers all have an interest in property safety. Records of impairments and interim measures can end up in front of any of them. Clear documentation protects the operator as much as it protects guests.

Final Thoughts

A casino can be described as a mini-city that works on the basis of slot machines and hospitality services. The casino operates without breaks and therefore its security cannot afford to do so either. Aligning temporary protection methods to the operations of the casino makes it easy to offer guests a comfortable experience.