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1075 · 05-03-2005, 09:58 AM

Lhasa,
A CO detector is nesessary whenever a fuel (oil, gas, wood etc.) is burned within a building to produce heat or hot water, cook, or dry clothes. From the response you got, it sounds like the hot water used to heat the dorm comes from a central heating plant which is not located in the dorm. Hot water may or may not come from the same central facility. If the dorm has no systems that burn fuel, then there is no need for a CO detector. CO is a colorless, odorless gas that is produced when a fuel burns. It builds up in structures with inadequate ventilation or when there is a blockage in the ventilation system or mechanical defect in a furnace, water heater, gas clothes dryer or other such device.

The fire protection systems described by the residential director are the minimum required for a dorm. Fire extinguishers and standpipe hose typically are not considered by fire service professionals as primary protection human life. Rather, they are in place to protect property. Obviously, they are not automatic and require intervention by an individual trained in their use to be effective. In many cases they actually cause injuries because people not trained in their use who attempt to extinguish the fire rather than calling 911, activating the alarm bells to alert others, and most importantly GETTING OUT OF THE BUILDING. I have seen this many times.

Fire doors are good but are useless if they are propped open, allowing smoke and fire to get into the stairwells and travel thruout the building. In many cases audible fire alarms are ignored due to frequent false alarms.

I would suggest that you ask how often safety checks are performed to insure that the systems are in place so they are functional. Also ask who is held accountable to see that the checks are properly done on a regular basis and if records are kept of the checks. I would also suggest that you make sure you have a conversation with your son to assure that he has at least thought about his options for evacuation should it be necessary.

Most people don't give it a second thought and the job makes me more aware than 95% of the general population, but a little planning, preparation and common sense go a long way. I always check out the exits when I go into a theater, store or other place of public assembly, most people just go out the place where they entered the building. This was a factor in the Station Night Club fire which occured in 2003 in East Warwick NH. I saw the video that was shot by a reporter who was inside the club at the time the fire started. He began to move toward the exit as soon as he became aware of the fire (almost as soon as it started) and barely made it out of the building.

This link includes fairly strong language, but does a good job illustrating how people who are responsible for the safety of others often blatantly disregard that trust. It also references the hazards of egg crate padding which was used as a sound deadening material in this building:

http://www.jedimaster.net/great_white.htm

This link provides more information on the tragedy and video clips shot by the reporter:

http://www.newcenturyfriends.net/station.html

Sorry to be so long winded, but I don't believe most people give this stuff the thought that it deserves.

05-03-2005, 09:58 AM	#55
1075 New Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Threads: 0 Posts: 5	Lhasa, A CO detector is nesessary whenever a fuel (oil, gas, wood etc.) is burned within a building to produce heat or hot water, cook, or dry clothes. From the response you got, it sounds like the hot water used to heat the dorm comes from a central heating plant which is not located in the dorm. Hot water may or may not come from the same central facility. If the dorm has no systems that burn fuel, then there is no need for a CO detector. CO is a colorless, odorless gas that is produced when a fuel burns. It builds up in structures with inadequate ventilation or when there is a blockage in the ventilation system or mechanical defect in a furnace, water heater, gas clothes dryer or other such device. The fire protection systems described by the residential director are the minimum required for a dorm. Fire extinguishers and standpipe hose typically are not considered by fire service professionals as primary protection human life. Rather, they are in place to protect property. Obviously, they are not automatic and require intervention by an individual trained in their use to be effective. In many cases they actually cause injuries because people not trained in their use who attempt to extinguish the fire rather than calling 911, activating the alarm bells to alert others, and most importantly GETTING OUT OF THE BUILDING. I have seen this many times. Fire doors are good but are useless if they are propped open, allowing smoke and fire to get into the stairwells and travel thruout the building. In many cases audible fire alarms are ignored due to frequent false alarms. I would suggest that you ask how often safety checks are performed to insure that the systems are in place so they are functional. Also ask who is held accountable to see that the checks are properly done on a regular basis and if records are kept of the checks. I would also suggest that you make sure you have a conversation with your son to assure that he has at least thought about his options for evacuation should it be necessary. Most people don't give it a second thought and the job makes me more aware than 95% of the general population, but a little planning, preparation and common sense go a long way. I always check out the exits when I go into a theater, store or other place of public assembly, most people just go out the place where they entered the building. This was a factor in the Station Night Club fire which occured in 2003 in East Warwick NH. I saw the video that was shot by a reporter who was inside the club at the time the fire started. He began to move toward the exit as soon as he became aware of the fire (almost as soon as it started) and barely made it out of the building. This link includes fairly strong language, but does a good job illustrating how people who are responsible for the safety of others often blatantly disregard that trust. It also references the hazards of egg crate padding which was used as a sound deadening material in this building: http://www.jedimaster.net/great_white.htm This link provides more information on the tragedy and video clips shot by the reporter: http://www.newcenturyfriends.net/station.html Sorry to be so long winded, but I don't believe most people give this stuff the thought that it deserves. Last edited by 1075 : 05-03-2005 at 10:04 AM.