Pete Hypes
Where's My Exit?
By
May 28, 2008 - 11:04:00 AM

Last night, E14 & T14 responded to a local hotel for an alarm activation. On arrival, we found light to moderate smoke conditions that were caused by a sandwich that had been placed in a microwave for too long. The smoke had only filled the first floor, and was quickly removed by the ventilation fans used by T14. The question is. are you ready for a fire or smoke event to occur in the hotel that you are staying in? In other words, do you know where the exits and stairwells are, since the elevators should not be used in a fire situation?

In most hotels, there are usually two stairwells, one on each end of the hallway. Depending on the layout, there may also be a center stairwell. The time to figure this out is not once an incident occurs, but when the conditions are clear and stress-free. You should also make sure that you would be able to transit the steps, due to your health. Keep in mind, as well, that the closest exit may be blocked by fire or smoke, and a secondary exit must be used. An example of this would be the other stairwell, or you may need to be rescued from your room’s window.

As we have talked about before, the best air in heat and smoke conditions is going to be as close to the floor as possible. Knowing how to get to the stairwell is necessary, especially if you cannot see the exit signs. We do not advocate that you crawl through smoke, but sometimes you will have no choice, and therefore must “stay low and go.” When you reach the stairwell, you should be in a protected space, but you still need to exit as quickly as possible, since others will be close behind. Another issue that you may face is activating sprinkler heads that will soak you as you are trying to exit. Most sprinkler systems are designed to give you enough time to exit the building. The closer you are to the fire, the greater the chance is that activated heads will affect you.

I am quite sure that most of you never give a moment’s thought to a potential fire or smoke event in the hotel that you are staying at. Most of us have never had this happen, though we stay in a hotel all of the time, but there is always a first time. Last night’s activation showed me the complacency of people when alarms activate in their vicinity. As I was checking the upper floors, I saw people in the hallways as if nothing had happened. A fire will progress rapidly, and the smoke will precede it. The greatest chance of getting out uninjured is if you respond to the alarm when you first hear it. A building on fire where all of the occupants are out is nothing more than a building on fire. A building on fire where there are still people inside is a rescue situation, which jeopardizes not only those inside the building, but also the lives of firefighters. You will most likely only have one chance to get this right, so survive to tell about it.      

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