Front Office Operations

Front self-confidence and leaf node asylum and earnest strides aegis Issues - protective cover encompasses aras much(prenominal) as auspices of the property itself, com trashy assets, employees and customers ad hominem belongings and valuables, life warrantor, psycheal certification etcetera In either play distances worry stipulates that it is non responsible for valuables and employees soulfulnessal belongings (their handbags, items unbroken in the personal lockers, etc. . Yet management moldiness guard altogether told possible measures to retard thieving among employees and of employee belongings through its hiring practices and through the capital punishment of orderive management, human resources and operational policies, such as Background baffles of selected appli dopets Policies cerebrate to employees entry to, and exit from, the browseplace Spot checks of locker dwell and lockers effective charge and suss outside during the work cyc le Policies related to the discovery of criminal records and wrongdoing among, and by, employees Control of people showing and exiting the workplace With regard to thickening valuables, management informs clients that the hotel is non responsible for valuables left in the populate, advising them to secure these in unhazardousty cohere cutes turn ind by the hotel.Besides taking c atomic number 18 of hostage issues related to the people they employ (as outlined above), management must undertake rough necessary measures, among which Providing secure ( galosh) adhere corneres and areas to bear valuables Policies and practices to ensure the security of these stripees and areas watchance and operational policies regarding the security of customer rooms Management and operational policies regarding the security of public areas hostage policies and practices for the back-of-the-ho determination areas Employment and instruct of security personnel Policies and pra ctices to lessen the presence and patronage of shady characters and criminals, verification of registration and check-in personal data and documentation submitted, and curtailing free movement of unkn testifys on the premises, as wellhead as get off, free flowing communication with local, national and international security authorities) Training of module in guest and valuable security efficient supervision and go over mathematical functions. Some of the security measures taken by hotels tell Card Locks age key out card locks on guest rooms are quickly becoming the standard, some hotels still dont take value of the added guard duty provided to guests. Guest room locking forms these lowly solar days include clout nail and magnetic key cards which give locks with fl alter memory and former(a) productivity coupled functions. The placement target directly be linked with PMS. Security Guards Most hotels do non harbour security guards composition some em ploy them just now at night. At Best western Sterling Inn, we have our own supply of trained security guards work 24-hours every day to provide the best in sentry go and security for our guests Defibrillation Units A life saving device in pillow slip of partiality attacks, defibrillation units are starting to be deployed among legal philosophy and parking brake personnel across the nation. Security Cameras Few Hotels have security cameras with digital technology, intelligent glide slope central system, software interface with CCTV for matching undesirable visitors and criminals, interfacing with motion detectors, scoop lie detectors and spy cameras and intent of biometric lecturers like hand key reader or face recognition system etc. Fire Alarms While most hotels now have polecat detectors and absquatulate solicitudes, Some hotels have a state of the art shock system with smoke detectors in all(prenominal) guest room and throughout the entire complex that is monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days per week that pin smirchs the exact point of the alarm all(prenominal)owing our security staff to respond immediately to the area of any alarm condition. Emergency Power Very few hotels have any formulation for un repealableness power in case of an electrical ou tick offe while a few hotels provide moderate emergency stand-by power to provide raise service and some lighting. Some hotels has a 2-Megawatt stand-by generator that provides 100% emergency power that can provide uninterrupted guest service during a power outage. Emergency Manual Hotels maintain an emergency manual, detailing operations in the event of a variety of emergencies. Employee Photo ID For added security, some hotels have employees wearing a photo ID nametag allowing quick identification. In-Room Safes In addition to the golosh deposit rapes offered by most hotels at the confront desks, Some hotels provide in-room guest rights capable of holding a lap-top c omputer that use the guests own credit card as the key. Guest elevators Elevators may alike be interfaced with a room electronic locking system, where swiping the room card key takes the guest to the appall on which he is staying. Bomb curse securityPrecautions and measures that may be taken in the above case 1. Security nets and body searches for guests not know to the staff. 2. Banqueting suites and other non-public areas should be security checked and locked after use 3. Goods received and bags should be checked and kept tidy. 4. If a bomb threat is received via teleph maven, the telephonist should note care estimabley what exactly is said, the snip of the call received the accent of the fellowship and stress noise if any. afterward the alert the GM should stay put in the lobby where he can be reached easily. . Duties and responsibility of staff during an emergency should be well-defined. 6. The hotel should work closely with the police to keep them updated. 7. Chamb er maids and HK supervisors should be trained to conduct security checks in the guest rooms. Security measures for women travelers -Mirrored walls of the guestroom base of operations elevators so that you can see who is walking behind you -Well-lit public areas such a s lobby bars -Valet parking services to deflect the need o a woman to enter the parking rophy -Assigning rooms closer to the elevator If a woman traveler is not assigned a room on the special executive floor , hotels most much on request, upgrade her accommodation to that floor without an attach in room rate. The floor is staffed almost 24 hours a day with a concierge IMPORTANCE OF A SECURITY SYSTEM The guest, who devolves to a grumpy hotel, comes with an understanding that he and his belongings both give be safe and secure during his stay at the hotel. At the equal time it is similarly quite valuable that the hotel staff and assets are protected and secure.Hence it is very important to have a proper security system in place to protect staff, guests and physical resources and assets such as equipment, appliances buildings, gardens of the hotel and also the belongings of the guest. The management must take care that the security and precaution systems cover the followers areas ? Guest Protection from crimes such as murder, abduction and health hazards from outsiders, hotel staff, pests, victuals intoxication etc. ? Staff Providing staff lockers, insurances, health schemes, provident funds etc.Protective c draw pokerhing, shoes, set down fighting drills, supply of clean drinking water use of greenish blue guards, sanitized wash rooms etc. ? Guest baggage inviolate luggage store rooms and proper equipment such as luggage trolley and bell hop trolley should be provided. ? Hotel Equipments Lifts, Boilers, Kitchen equipment, furniture appointment and building etc. must be protected and for these the security and safety should cover up exhaust safety equipment, bomb threat security s ystem, water floods security system, earthquake security system , safe bound security system etc. Protection of raw visibles, goods, provisions and groceries etc. for this the security system should cover proper storage and pest check systems, apart from the application of total material management system. TYPES OF SECURITY 1) corporal aspect 2) Security of persons 3) Security of systems 1) Physical aspect is divided into cardinal parts a) Internal b)external a) Internal security Against theft Fire safety becoming lighting Safeguarding assets Track unwanted guests b) External Security Proper lighting outside the buildingProper fencing of the building Fecing of pool area to avoid casualtys in the night Manning of service gates to restrict entry location of closed circuit TV cameras 2) Security aspects of persons a) Staff Effective enlisting and selection Identification of staff Key control Red tag system Training Locker inspection b) Guests Check scanty baggage guests Guests suspected of taking away hotel property should be charged consort to hotel policy Guest room security Provide wide burthen entre viewer, dead bolt locks, night torch, chains on doors tc Employees should be trained to not give any information abount in house guests to outsiders While issuing a card key lead for key card if in doubt of the guest. House keeping staff should never leave keys expose on unattended carts in corridors 3) Security aspects of systems Record of all losses and missing items immediately Inventory control should be proper Auditing should be done on a level(p) basis Proper system for cash disbursements should be made The terminus system implies the operations of the hotel eg all the equipment used for operation, procedures laid down for operations and policies to be followed.Systems procedures and policies if followed properly shall safeguard the assets and increase life span of equipment as well as avoid any breakdown alimony This would mean the spare-tim e activity Fix duties and responsibilities Fix duties of staff members so that they dont interfere with others work. Make surprise checks Staff who have access to eloquent assets should be made to sign a bond so that in case of theft the concerned person can easily be caught Hiring of some independent security company to check the security system of the hotel Safety issues When we take the same hotel as example, it is managements duty to ensure safety in several areas, such as The structure itself Installations and fixtures (check electrical, plumbing, denudate-conditioning and other installations) habitual and work areas (e. g. slippery floors, hazardous obstacles in traffic areas), safety of furniture, equipment, appliances, and utensils. This is followed by Health safety (nontoxic cleaning material and detergents used) Good quality air (what we breathe, dependent upon the character of equipment, installations and fixtures used, and regular repairs and maintenance) Food s afety (a whole ball in itself including sanitation, forage quality, food spoilage, correct manipulation procedures, allowable and recommended temperatures, etc. ), and checking and control procedures. An important preventive measure is eliminating the possibility of communicating communicable diseases. Even if local regulations do not require it, it is recommended to send food and beverage handlers for a regular medical checkup. Another preventive measure is the formulation and implementation of policies and procedures related to employee apoplexys which may present a threat to food sanitation.Culinary staff who cut themselves solidusally at work, as often happens while slicing food products, have to immediately stop handling food, and report to their Executive Chef and to the person in charge of First service in their company (Security or Human Resources Department) for preliminary treatment and handling. ameliorate and precautionary measures are taken before they are allow ed back at their job. There are also some basic dress requirements for staff involved in food and beverage preparations e. g.Chefs hats (to prevent whisker and some(prenominal) hair contains to fall into the food), discreet earrings (non-dangling) or no earrings for women, and long hair neatly and securely tied in a bun at the back of the head. Of no lesser importance is the safety of work tools and work procedures covering all areas, such as stable ladders, secure shelving, safety shoes, well-fitting work garments, cl proterozoic written and complete safety procedures and guidelines from management, safety training, and safety installations and equipment, e. g. ire fighting units, regular maintenance schedules for safety equipment and installations, wider traffic areas (to prevent accidents), adequate staffing, and last but not least, continuous effective training in work procedures. All of this necessitates comprehensive planning, the creation of clear policies and work procedur es, organization, implementation, training of supervisors and employees, supervision and control. FIRE Fires in the hotel may result in the injury and loss of life of both the guests and the staff. Main causes of assoil are i) Smoking -Smoke only where allowed. -Put out cigarettes in the right place. Sufficient ash trays should be provided in eating places and in rooms, but away from curtains and draperies. -Educate the guests rough antiaircraft possibilities due to smoking. ii) Defective wiring, faulty appliances and motor and worn out insulation Such hazards should be immediately reported to the concerned person and such equipment should be immediately repaired iii) Laundry Areas Care should be taken to see that none of the electrical equipment is left on after use iv)Gas leaks Precautions should be taken against this especially in kitchen areas. v) comburant material waste Combustible material should never b e left near the steam boiler room i) Kitchen All equipment such as chimneys, exhausts, ventilators, grills, hoods etc. which collect a lot of fume vapor and catch end easily should be cleaned regularly. vii) Elevator shafts These require constant check and inspection. Cigarette butts can perch the debris and oils that gather at the bottom of elevator shafts. Types of Fire and fire fire extinguishers Hotel personnel are trained about the fire protection procedure and the types of fire. They must be able to recognize the unlike types of fire, all fire require air. Air contains O2 which is necessary for combustion.Fire has been course of studyified in 5 categories depending on how they can be extinguished- Class A Fire- It is the fire of wood, paper, linen and sympathetic dry materials. They are extinguished by cooling and quenching effect of water. The water reduces the temperature of topazing substances below their combustion temperature. These are the most customary and easiest to extinguish when there is an ample water supply and when wat er can be directed on the combustible material . Keeping the other combustible material wet will limit the scattering of fire Class B Fire-These include fires of oil, gasoline, grease and other petroleum product.These fires are extinguished by blanketing the source of burning substances and eliminating the supply of O2. Petroleum products is transport than water and will float on water and continue to burn and spread by means of flowing water to other function of the building, hence water is never used for this category. Class C Fire-These are the fires of pressurized gases. For e. g. L. P. G. , most of the gases are lighter than air but L. P. G. is heavier than air. Water is not to be used for this class of fire. Class D Fire-These are fire of metals having low burning temperature for e. g. Na, Mg etc.This class of fire does not outlast in the hotel. Class E Fire-These are electrical fire. The fire quenching agent must not conduct electrical energy which could spread the fire. Electrical fires are usually blanketed and cooled down. Water is a good cooling agent but it also conducts electricity, so it is not used to control or extinguish this class of fire. Electrical fire is usually caused by a part of circuit overheating or by diddle circuit. Controlling the sizes of electrical fuses and circuit breaker will often pick at this class of fire. There are 2 systems of fire protection . takeout fire extinguisher. 2. Stationary fire fighting system. Portable fire extinguisher a. Soda acerbic fire extinguisher- It is used for class A fire. The defunctness agent is H2O. The fire extinguisher is a cylinder type of pan in which a rubber or pliable hosepipe is tie to the top. When it is desired to use the extinguisher, it is carried to the fire and inverted. A small bottle of acid usually H2SO4 is spilled when the cylinder is inverted or turn upside down. demolish sodas, bicarbonate of soda (Baking Soda) is mixed with H2O when the tank is charge or fills with water.The chemic reaction of acid and soda water creates a wardrobe which forces the water out of the cylinder or tank. The hose is used to direct the flow of water to the fire. It has 2 disadvantages- -It must be kept away from freezing -Acid causes corrogen riddle which reduce the life of the tank or cylinder. The corrogen problem has been minimized by replacing the acid with carbonic acid gas cartridge. Upon the cylinder sexual inversion the cartridge opens and releases CO2 gas under high pressure. The high pressure gas than forces the water out of cylinder. b. CaCl2 fire extinguisher-It is also used on class A fire. CaCl2 is a salt which when added to water form brine which has very low freezing temperature. CO2 cartridge is used as pressure agent to force H2O and CaCl2 out of the cylinder to the fire. These extinguishers are used where freezing is a potential hazard c. Foam type extinguisher-It is used on class B type of fire. The extinguisher is charged with specia l chemical (Al2SiO4), the chemical spread on the burning material and the solution, blanket the fire by excluding O2. d. CO2 fire extinguisher- It is used on C, D and E class of fire. The CO2 types spray a chemical fog towards the fire.The fog quickly excludes the O2 from the burning material and blanket the combustible material. e. D. C. P. extinguisher- It can be used on C, D and E class of fire. The most common quenching agent is sodium bicarbonate or plain baking soda. The extinguisher is charged with the dry chemical and a small tank of CO2 gas. The CO2 gas exerts pressure on dry chemical and forces it out of a nozzle directly to the fire. The powder strict the fire and the heat from the fire breaks down the chemical which releases CO2 gas on a large scale which helps in extinguishing the fire.Stationary fire fighting system a. Automatic sprinklers-It is generally mounted sightly below the ceiling height with a temperature detector or smoke detector, attached with each sprink ler. The temperature from the fire melts the fusible link on the detector, which opens a water valve. The water is then sprayed on the ceiling and falls on the floor, extinguishing the fire. If the fire area should spread, more sprinklers are automatically opened, thus confining the fire to a small area. The temperature detector can be purchased for different activating temperature.The high temperature detectors are often used in kitchens. b. Fire Hose System-It is a semi portable system. In this system the fire hose box is permanently located but the flexible hose can be moved to various distances throughout the building. The hose used to fight fire within a building should be of linen type. The linen allows some water seepage through it which will prevent its burning when in use. HANDLING EMERGENCY SITUATIONS Apart from fire and bomb threat etc. the front perspective staff at some point of time have to handle a lot of unusual situations also.Some such situations may be death and illness of guests, theft in hotels etc and many others. 1) Death of a guest in the hotel ? at a time the information comes to the front desk it should directly be reported to the front office manager. ? The front office manager will then report it to the GM or resident manager ? The security manager should also be informed immediately ? The police is informed and the hotel doc is summoned who will check and confirm the death ? Meanwhile the hotel will locate the residential share of the deceased and will inform the relatives. Once the police complete all formalities and activities and gives the permission, the dead body is fully covered and then remove from the room on a stretcher. For this purpose the service elevator and not the guest elevator is used ? A death certificate is obtained from the doctor ? A report should be ready as to who informed of the death, time, room number and date of death. In case there is any luggage of the deceased in the room a list should be prepar ed and the luggage should be kept in the luggage room and the person performing this activity should sign this report ? The guest room is locked and sealed. After obtaining clearance from the police the room is opened and thoroughly disinfected and spring cleaned and only after permission of the police and subsequent permission of the GM or resident manager the room should be sold. Some important facts to be kept in mind are ? Donot enter the room simply always take the lobby manager and security officer with you ? In case you are aware that the deceased was under the treatment of a specific doctor, the same should be called instead of the hotel doctor. His mendelevium will also be helpful in knowing and notifying the incident to the relatives and people known to him ?Donot disturb the body or touch anything before the arrival of the police as this may be a murder or self-annihilation case. 2) Handling accident cases A knowledge of first aid would come very handy in such situati ons. In general the following points should be taken care of Remove the person who has met with accident from the settle of accident as early as possible and take him to a more comfortable area, use a stretcher in case the need be Call the doctor and if possible give him the dilate of accident and gravity of the accident. Take someone along with you to the site of the accident as you may need help Keep alert you must serve the victim immediately by providing first aid canvas to protect your establishment from any false allegations Prepare a full report of the whole accident giving details of the date and time who reported the incident, room no. , site of the accident etc. as well make your comments as to the reason of the accident and how could it have been prevented and what action is to be taken to avoid the same in the future.The accident book An accident book is usually maintained in all organizations and the receptionist should record all details of accidents which h ave occurred to employees whilst carrying out their daily activities. The book must be kept in a place easily accessible by any injure person or a person bona fide Particulars of an accident may be entered here in either by the injured person himself or by a person acting on his behalf The accident ook when filled up should be preserved for a arrest of three years after the date of the last entry any employer is required to take steps to investigate the circumstances of the accident record and if there happens to be any discrepancy between the circumstances prove by him and the entry made, he is required to record the circumstances so found. 3) Situation of Theft Theft is divided into four categories I. Theft by employees of the hotel can be avoided by Work business and personal references should be checked before the employee is hired. A detailed record of all employees who enter the guest room such as chamber maids bellboys room boys maintenance etc All hotel keys should be returned to the department concerned and no employee should be allowed to take keys out of the hotels premises. II. Damage of hotel property by the guest can be avoided by The hotel staff should identify the main cause for the aggrieve. If the damage is appears to be done intentionally the hotel can ask the guest to assume compensation for the same. For this it is necessary that the front desk is well versed with the cost of the shamed item.III. Theft of hotel property by the guest Can be avoided by taking the following steps Installing automatic locks on the guest room doors Appointing a security officer who would walk and take rounds at regular intervals Inform guests to use the safe vault of the hotel and not to keep valuables in the guest room Keep a watch on walk in as their likelihood of being a burglar is more as compared to a guest who has undergone a process of reservation a reservation in the hotel Avoid giving room meter of resident guests to visitors or over the telephone callers. In case the guest loses his key and asks housekeeping to open the room door for them, HK should direct them to front desk Master key should be kept under strict supervision and control Theft by outside visitors can be avoided by being aware of suspicious persons regular and irregular schedule of vigil and rounds Stagger lunch and rest periods of employees so as to keep one person on duty on each floor at all times Instruct eh telephone operator not to join calls to the guest room incase the request is made by the caller by room number.The receptionist should insist on knowing the name of the guest who the caller wishes to speak to. Guest should be informed to keep the balcony door closed to avoid anyone entering the rooms from the balcony Closed circuit televisions should be used 4) Situation of illness and epidemics The receptionist may be called for assistance during affection of a guest. Patient should be advised to consult the house physici an but in case the guest has his own physician the same should be called. Housekeeping needs to be notified about the sickness and instructions if any If the case of serious sickness, the guest should be moved to a nursing home During epidemics all precautionary measures especially in food and beverage service area should be followed 5) Handling a rummy guest The guest should be removed from the lobby as early as possible but being careful not to rally/offend him. Preferably taken to the back office or to his room. If he behaves unruly, the hotel security must be called.Safe deposit facility in the hotel for security of guests valuables It is the responsibility of management to develop and maintain proper safe deposit procedures for its property. If this facility is available for guests, notices regarding it should be put up in various conspicuous/noticeable places in the hotel and also should be mentioned to the guest. Safe deposit boxes should be located in an area, in vicinity of the front desk and which has limited access.Unauthorized guests or personnel should not be permitted inside the area. Front office staff should be well-versed with the procedures regarding safe deposit boxes. Strict control should retain to the storage and issue of safe deposit keys. At any point of time there should be only one key issued for each safe even if more than one person is using the safe. devil keys are required to open a safe deposit box one being the guests key and the other being the control key/guard key put in by the cashier/safe deposit attendant. After the verification f the identicalness of the guest, the safe deposit attendant/cashier should accompany the guest to the safe deposit area where in clear sight should make use of the control key and the guests key to open the safe. sometimes the hotel may not be able to meet the demand for someone safe box in that case a large box containing the belongings of more than one guest is used. Each gue sts belongings are put in an envelope which is sealed. The key to this box is stored in a secure place and a log is maintained which records an entry each time the key is used to open the box