The owner of a hotel in Paignton, Devon, was handed a jail sentence after admitting seven breaches of fire safety rules.
Mr David Schofield was given a six month sentence, suspended for two years, at Essex Crown Court this week.
The failings were uncovered after a false fire alert brought the property to the attention of inspectors. Guests at the hotel noted that the fire alarms had not sounded during the alert.
When inspectors from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service investigated, they immediately issued a prohibition notice shutting it down until the required improvements had been made.