You know how we're always talking about the importance of fire safety? Well, I’ve got some blazing hot info for you. For a while now, I've talked about a serious flaw with ionization type smoke detectors. Sure, they're great at detecting burnt toast at 2am in the morning (we've all been there!), but they're not so great at catching those sneaky smoldering fires that produce dangerous carbon monoxide before turning into real flames.
I recently stumbled upon this fascinating YouTube video by Andrew Lam that shows just how bad ionization smoke detectors are at alerting you to a small smoldering fire. It also highlights a change in how smoke detectors are now required to be designed (in the US, at least). Since we're always concerned about fire safety, I thought it would be useful to share it with you. Trust me, it's worth a watch!
Why This Info is Important for Hostels
In hostels, where we have a lot of guests, fire safety is a top priority. The video explains that the most common smoke detectors, called ionization detectors, often fail to detect smoldering fires for up to 30 minutes! That's like watching an entire episode of "Chicago Fire" before realizing there's a problem. Smoldering fires produce a lot of smoke and carbon monoxide before bursting into flames. This means your hostel guests could be rendered unconscious before the smoke detector even goes off. Yikes!
Action Steps for Hostel Owners
1. Watch the Video: This video is a must-watch. It explains the problem with ionization smoke detectors and why we should consider using photoelectric detectors. The link to the video is here.
2. Check Your Smoke Detectors: Ask your licensed fire alarm service provider what type of smoke detectors you have installed and check their expiration dates. If you don’t have a serviced fire alarm system (most hostels in developed countries do), you can check this yourself or hire someone to do it.
3. Consider Supplemental Detectors: If upgrading your building’s fire alarm system isn’t possible right now, think about adding standalone photoelectric smoke detectors. These are great for catching smoldering fires early.
Choices Made at My Hostel
At the hostel I started, we have a supervised fire sprinkler system, so the fire marshal only required supervised smoke detectors in certain key areas. But, when California law started requiring additional carbon monoxide detectors inside all sleeping rooms, I decided to take this safety a step further.
Like you, I wanted to know about all fires in the hostel AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, including small smoldering ones! Don't get me wrong, fire sprinkler systems are great at both detecting and extinguishing fires. However, wouldn't it be nice to not have a fire get so large that the sprinkler system has to activate? So, I decided to install interconnected Nest smoke detectors in all occupied rooms and storage areas. These Nest detectors are fantastic because they include ionization, photoelectric, and heat rise sensors all in one unit. Oh yeah, they also have carbon monoxide detection. This way, my managers get notified immediately if any fire starts (large or small). The Nest detectors all speak and tell everyone where the smoke is and the manager gets notifications on their phone. This is something the building fire alarm can't do. All of this extra protection gives us the chance to extinguish the fire before it becomes large and unmanageable.
Stay Compliant and Informed
Always stay in touch with your local authorities and follow their guidance on fire safety. Make sure any supplemental installations you decide on are allowed by local regulations.
In summary, fire safety is crucial, and staying informed about the best ways to protect your guests is part of our responsibility as hostel owners. Watch the video, check your detectors, and consider adding extra protection if needed. Stay safe and keep your guests safe!
Cheers to safer hostels!
