Fire safety standards for inns and hotels
Updated: July 2026, 1
Hotels and inns used by many people are required to comply with fire prevention regulations under the Fire Service Act and Building Standards Act. Although the number of fires is small compared to residential fires, a single fire can cause a catastrophe.
table of contents
- 1 Standards under the Fire Service Act for hotels and inns
- 2 Standards based on the Building Standards Act for hotels and inns
- 3 Display system for fire prevention objects
- 4 Fire service law procedures for inn business
- 5 For applications related to the hotel business, please contact the Support Administrative Scrivener Corporation
Standards under the Fire Service Act for hotels and inns
The Fire Service Act was established with the purpose of protecting the lives, bodies, and property of citizens from fires, as well as maintaining social order and promoting public welfare by reducing damage from disasters such as fires and earthquakes. law. Depending on the size and purpose of the building, fire prevention safety measures such as installing firefighting equipment and using fire prevention products are required.
Installation of firefighting equipment, etc.
| fire equipment | Installation target | 条件 |
| Fire extinguishing equipment | Fire extinguisher indoor fire hydrant Sprinkler equipment Outdoor fire extinguishing equipment | Total area of 150㎡ or more Total area of 700㎡ or more Total area of 6,000㎡ or more Total area of 3,000㎡ or more |
| telegraph equipment | Earth leakage fire alarm automatic fire alarm Fire alarm that notifies fire department Emergency warning donations/equipment | Items with a total area of 150㎡ or more and in Las Mortal Total area of 300㎡ or more Total area of 500㎡ or more Capacity: 20 or more people (broadcasting equipment installed for 300 or more people) |
| Evacuation equipment | evacuation equipment Guide lights/guide signs | Capacity is 2 people or more on floors above 30nd floor, etc. All |
It is mandatory to install the above firefighting equipment, conduct inspections every six months, and report to the fire department (municipal fire department headquarters or fire department) every year.
fire prevention management
Fire prevention management aims to prevent fire outbreaks and minimize fire damage. Who should do what? What should I do in the event of a fire? A firefighting plan is established, and firefighting and evacuation drills are conducted in preparation for a fire. According to Article 8 of the Fire Service Act, the building owner must appoint a fire prevention manager and carry out work related to fire prevention management.
Periodic inspection report system for fire prevention objects
This is stipulated as a fire prevention object inspection reporting system based on Article 8-2-2 of the Fire Service Act. Hotels and inns with a capacity of 300 or more people are required to inspect and report.
Inspection items
Inspection items are stipulated by the Fire Service Act, and must be carried out by a qualified person (person qualified to inspect fire prevention objects).
I would like to list some of them.
1. Have you appointed a fire prevention manager?
2. Are fire extinguishing, notification, and evacuation drills conducted?
3. Are there any objects placed on the evacuation stairs that may obstruct evacuation?
4. Are there any objects placed that will obstruct the closing of the fire door?
5. Is it mandatory to display a sign stating that curtains, etc. have flame retardant properties?
6. Are firefighting equipment, etc. in accordance with the standards of the Fire Service Act installed? Such
Penalties
Fire Service Act Article 44⇒Fine of up to 30 yen or detention
・If inspection results are not reported or falsely reported (Fire Service Act Article 8, 2-2, Paragraph 1)
・When displaying a "Fire Prevention Standards Inspection Certificate" even though it does not comply with the inspection standards, or displaying a display that is confusingly similar to this (Article 8, 2-3, Paragraph 8 of the Fire Service Act)
・If you display a "fire prevention paid certification" or display a display that is confusingly similar to this even though you have not received special certification (Fire Service Act, Article 8, 2-3, Paragraph 8)
Fire Service Act Article 46-5⇒Fines up to 5 million yen
・When a management title holder who has received special certification neglects to notify a change in management title (Fire Service Act, Article 8, 2-3, Paragraph 5)
Standards based on the Building Standards Act for hotels and inns
The Building Standards Act is a law that stipulates minimum standards for building sites, structures, equipment, and uses, and aims to protect people's lives, health, and property. The Building Standards Act stipulates regulations for hotels, inns, etc., such as the width of exterior walls, partitions, and hallways, and requires periodic inspections and inspections by experts, as well as reporting of the results.
*From the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism website
| hotel ryokan | ||
| Buildings with less than 2㎡ on 200nd floor | ||
| Parting wall/partition wall (Article 26 of the Law, Article 114 of the Order) | Semi-fireproof construction, reaching the attic or attic | Semi-fireproof construction, reaching the attic or attic (not applicable to detached houses) |
| Fireproof building requirements depending on usage (Article 27 of the Act) | ①If you are on the 3rd floor or above ②If the total floor area of the second floor is 2m300 or more | Not applicable |
| width of hallway (Article 35 of the Law, Article 119 of the Order) | If the total floor area of the living room is 200mXNUMX or more ・Middle corridor → 1.6m or more ・One corridor → 1.2m or more | Not applicable |
| Distance from living room to direct corridor (Article 35 of the Law, Article 120 of the Order) | ①If the main structure is semi-fireproof or made of noncombustible materials, 50m or less ② In other cases, 30m or less | Almost not applicable |
| 2 or more direct stairs (Article 35 of the Law, Article 121 of the Order) | ① If the main structure is semi-fireproof or made of noncombustible materials, floors with a total floor area of accommodation rooms exceeding 200 mXNUMX ② In other cases, floors where the total floor area of accommodation rooms exceeds 200 mXNUMX | Almost not applicable |
| Installation of evacuation stairs (Article 35 of the Law, Article 122 of the Order) | Floors above 5th floor | Not applicable |
| Installation of smoke exhaust equipment (Article 35 of the Law, Article 126-2 of the Order) | Total area of 500㎡ or more | Not applicable |
| Installation of emergency lighting equipment (Article 35 of the Law, Article 126-4 of the Order) | ①room ② Evacuation route * Rooms on evacuation floors where the walking distance to the exit to the outdoors is less than 30m (less than 20m for floors directly above or below the evacuation floor) are not eligible. | Almost not applicable |
| Interior restrictions (Article 35-2 of the Law, Article 128-4 of the Order, Article 129 of the Order) | ① Use flame-retardant materials for interior finishing of living rooms and evacuation routes. ・For fireproof buildings → Floor area of 3rd floor and above is 300 mXNUMX or more ・For semi-fireproof buildings → Floor area of 2nd floor and above is 300 mXNUMX or more ・Other cases → Floor area is 200m100 or more (excludes cases where fire prevention zones are divided into areas within XNUMXmXNUMX) ②Use quasi-noncombustible materials for the interior finish of hot rooms(In the case of housing,top flooris not applicable) | Use quasi-noncombustible materials for the interior finish of hot rooms(In the case of housing,top flooris not applicable) |
| indoor staircase dimensions (Article 36 of the Law, Article 23 of the Order) | Cases where the total floor area of rooms directly above the floor exceeds 200 mXNUMX, etc. ・Width of stairs and landings: 120cm or more ・Rise: 20cm or more Tread: 24cm or more (40° slope) Cases other than the above ・Width of stairs and landings: 75cm or more ・Rise: 22cm or more Tread: 21cm or more (46° slope) | ・Width of stairs and landings: 75cm or more -Kageage: 22cm or more Tread: 21cm or more (46° slope) *Stairs in the house: 23cm or less Tread: 15cm or more (Slope 57°) |
Blue text: Different standards for detached houses and hotels/inns
Display system for fire prevention objects
Because accommodation facilities are used by an unspecified number of people, Fire Service Act requires that various fire safety measures be taken, such as creating plans and conducting drills for initial fire extinguishing and evacuation guidance in the event of a fire, installing firefighting equipment such as fire extinguishing equipment and alarm systems, and managing stairs and escape exits.
The "Conformity Mark" is issued when a firefighting agency examines whether these measures have been taken appropriately and determines that the measures comply with fire safety laws and regulations as well as standards related to important building structures, etc. Although it is not mandatory, we will support you in applying for the "Conformity Mark" if you wish to receive it.
Eligible buildings: Hotels, inns, etc. with 3 or more floors and a capacity of 30 or more people
If it is recognized that the labeling standards have been met for three consecutive years, a "Display Mark (Gold)" (valid for three years) will be issued.
Flow of procedures until issuance
① Application for display mark
*If you wish to receive (renew) a display mark, those involved in hotels and inns must apply to the competent fire department with the following documents attached to the "Application Form for Issuance of Mark (Renewal)".
<Documents required for application>
① Fire prevention property (fire prevention management) inspection result report
② Firefighting equipment, etc. (special firefighting equipment, etc.) inspection result report
③ Manufacturing site periodic inspection record sheet
④Regular inspection report for special buildings, etc.
⑤Other documents deemed necessary by the fire department
② Examination of display standards
Based on application forms and attached documents from related parties such as hotels and inns, the fire department will work with various departments to conduct on-site inspections in order to examine whether the building complies with the display standards.
Display standards
○ Conforms to the standards of the Fire Service Act (the implementation status of fire prevention management, the installation status of firefighting equipment, etc., and hazardous materials facilities, etc.).
○ Conforms to the standards of building standards laws and regulations (structure, fire prevention divisions, stairs, evacuation facilities, etc.).
③Issuance
Issuance of display mark (silver)
As a result of the examination by the fire department, if the product is found to comply with the display standards, a "display mark (silver)" (valid for one year) will be issued.
Issuance of display mark (Fri)
If it is recognized that the labeling standards have been met continuously for three years,Display mark (gold))” ((valid for 3 years)) will be issued.
○ Persons involved in a building that has been issued with a display mark can post the mark on their homepage, etc. in addition to displaying it on the building.
Fire service law procedures for inn business
When opening and operating a hotel or inn, it is necessary to make a notification based on the Fire Service Act and complete the procedure with the fire department that has jurisdiction over the facility.
① Construction start notification form
② Firefighting equipment installation notification form
③Notification of start of use of fire prevention property
④Notification of appointment of fire prevention manager
⑤ Firefighting plan notification
① Construction start notification form
This notification form must be submitted before commencing construction of fire-fighting equipment, such as indoor fire hydrants and sprinklers, as stipulated in Article 36-2 of the Enforcement Order of the Fire Service Act, or special fire-fighting equipment.
The procedure will be carried out by a fire equipment engineer.
② Firefighting equipment installation notification form
When construction related to the installation of firefighting equipment, etc. or special firefighting equipment, etc. is completed, a notification form must be submitted within 4 days from the date of completion of the construction and an inspection by the fire department must be conducted.
③Notification of start of use of fire prevention property
When starting to use a building, it is necessary to submit a "Notification of Commencement of Use of Fire Prevention Property".
④Notification of appointment of fire prevention manager
In addition to ③, you will need to appoint a “fire prevention manager” to be responsible for carrying out the tasks necessary for fire prevention management and submit a notification.
In addition, in large buildings above a certain size, a disaster prevention manager must be appointed as the person responsible for carrying out tasks necessary for disaster prevention management.
⑤ Firefighting plan notification
The appointed fire prevention manager and disaster prevention manager must prepare a firefighting plan in accordance with the instructions of the person in charge of management, and must notify the fire chief of the jurisdiction to that effect without delay.
For applications related to the hotel business, please contact the Support Administrative Scrivener Corporation
At Support Administrative Scrivener Corporation, we provide application support and highly specialized consulting regarding inn business licenses for both those newly entering the inn business and those already in the inn business and hotel business. .
Hotel business licenses are under the jurisdiction of each health center, and each health center has its own local rules. Our staff have experience applying in all prefectures across the country. Please contact us by all means.
The first consultation is free of charge.
Editor of this article
Junpei Tsukamoto
Correspondence example
[Major foreign-affiliated hotel making its first foray into Japan]
This was a hotel operator's first foray into Japan.
I realized that things that could be handled in my home country could not be handled in Japan due to laws, regulations, etc.
After asking about your desired style, we will propose the hotel design and response method.
We were able to successfully open our first store in Japan.
In addition, since we can also provide support in foreign languages, we were able to hold meetings with the local subsidiary in English.
Number and types of licenses obtained
Hotel business license / Restaurant business license (3 licenses) / Late-night alcohol serving restaurant business opening notification
Public bath business license application / swimming pool / cleaning / general liquor retail license application
Region
京都
[Luxury City Hotel]
The facility is divided into multiple departments, such as accommodation, food and beverage, SPA, and firefighting,
In addition to preparing for permission,
Each of us had to continue our regular duties (staff training, menu development, etc.) at the same time.
By joining the business opening team, we will be the sole administrative liaison for obtaining licenses.
We were able to smoothly proceed with the preparations for obtaining licenses and permits without any disruption to our normal business operations.
Number and types of licenses obtained
Hotel business permit / Restaurant business permit (7 cases) / Late-night alcohol serving restaurant opening notification (2 cases)
Public bath business license application/swimming pool/cleaning
Region
Osaka
[Large resort hotel]
In this case, the construction period was delayed from the originally planned schedule due to the effects of a typhoon and other factors.
Even if the construction schedule is delayed, it is difficult to change the planned opening date.
Within a limited schedule, we carefully schedule application dates, on-site inspection dates, etc.
We were able to open safely on the scheduled date.
Number and types of licenses obtained
Hotel business license / Restaurant business license (3 licenses) / Late-night alcohol serving restaurant business opening notification
Public bath business license application / swimming pool / cleaning / general liquor retail license application
Region
Okinawa
[Completely unmanned hotel]
With labor costs rising, the client wanted to operate a completely unmanned hotel.
Generally, face-to-face check-in is required,
By thoroughly understanding the rules of relaxation measures and applying them to hotel operations and operations,
This has made it possible to conduct business with fewer personnel.
Number and types of licenses obtained
Hotel business license/Restaurant business license
Region
Ise City
