Every year in northern Sweden the famous Ice Hotel is rebuilt, using huge ice blocks, cut from the frozen Torne River in Jukkasjärvi, Kiruna. Always fully booked, this strange, but beautiful ice building has been created every year since 1990. However, the Swedish National Housing Board has decided, that even this building must be fitted with fire alarms!

Yes, incredible as it may seem, to get their yearly hotel licence, they must conform to all the latest requirements and therefore, despite being made entirely of frozen water, it’s fire alarms or no licence.

Beatrice Karlsson spoke to the local press, “We were a little surprised, but we do understand and safety is a primary concern for us. There are things that can indeed catch fire, such as reindeer skins, mattresses and the pillows.”

Unfortunately, although the concept of a hotel that is completely new every year is brilliant, it also means that it has to comply with all the new legislation that any ‘new build’ must adhere to.

Well, the brains behind the concept have no problem with the requirements, although it might have been rather difficult if they had needed a sprinkler system as well!