Category Archives: Maintenance

by | February 21, 2012 · 7:42 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: New York Hotel Electrical Panel Overheats Causing Black Smoke And Evacuation Of Guests

“..(the hotel)… will remain closed until an electrical inspection is completed at the hotel…the main electrical panel became too hot, causing black smoke but no fire…”

The Quality Inn, 10 W. Orvis St., and Dar’s Place, which is inside the hotel, were closed after firefighters responded early Monday to a report of smoke originating in the hotel’s electrical room. All power at the hotel was still off as of 5 p.m. Monday, although a generator was providing some lighting.

“It doesn’t look like we’re going to open tonight,” Mr. Stevens said at that time. “There’s still a lot of work to do. What they’re trying to do right now is get the heat turned on in the building.”

When asked if he expected the hotel to open up today, Mr. Stevens replied, “That will depend on what they do tomorrow. There’s a lot of work left to do to get the building up and running.”

Approximately 40 rooms had guests, all of whom were evacuated safely to Emmanuel Congregational United Church of Christ, 39 W. Orvis St. There, guests were served a breakfast courtesy of the church.

For more:  http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20120221/NEWS07/702219855

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by | February 20, 2012 · 9:23 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: California Hotel Suffers Extensive Water Damage To 30 Rooms As "Cast Iron Pipe Connected To Fire Pump" Cracks; Seismic Shifting Possible Cause

“…(the hotel General Manager)…was in her office at 10:30 a.m. Thursday when she realized the carpet was “floating”…The source of the water was traced to a crack in a pipe that connects to a fire pump…a jackhammer was needed to reach the pipe, which is under cement…(the cause of the leak) is theorized (to be) seismic shifting, “not age, because it was cast iron…”

Santa Cruz Dream Inn, the city’s largest hotel, reopened about noon Friday after a 24-hour shutdown triggered by flooding on three floors that forced the hotel’s evacuation and relocation of 130 guests.

General manager Robin Donovan said Friday morning her staff has been working 24/7 to reopen the 163-room hotel. Because of the water damage, 30 rooms on the first three floors are “out of order,” she said.

Damages range from “light” to “extensive,” she added, estimating it would take 10 days up to three weeks to reopen those rooms. A dollar estimate was not available.

The hotel was empty Thursday night with guests relocated to other accommodations, including the Beach Street Inn & Suites, Chaminade, Holiday Inn Express and Scotts Valley Hilton.

For more:  http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_19988957

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by | February 18, 2012 · 1:53 am

Hospitality Industry Security Risks: Minnesota Hotel Office Robbery Foiled As Suspect "Falls Through Bathroom Ceiling"

“…The employees also reported they found a man…in the bathroom. It appeared that Gifford had pulled himself up into the dropped ceiling and was attempting to crawl across it when he fell through… the hotel’s main office, which was locked at the time, is next to the bathroom…”

A Pennsylvania man was arrested at a downtown Mankato hotel this morning after employees there reported he had fallen through a bathroom ceiling. Police responded to the call from employees at the City Center Hotel, 101 E. Main St., at 12:46 a.m. They said they found damage in the men’s bathroom after hearing a loud noise.

When Garrett was questioned by an officer, he said he was downtown with some friends and he “thought it would be fun” to crawl through a ceiling.

Police are requesting charges of disorderly conduct, criminal damage to property and attempted burglary.

For more:  http://mankatofreepress.com/local/x913139853/Fall-through-ceiling-foils-alleged-burglary

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by | February 12, 2012 · 8:33 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: North Dakota Hotel Water Pipe Breaks Flooding Entire Hotel; All 40 Guest Rooms Evacuated

“The water pressure actually broke a wall down….They had to evacuate all 40-some rooms that night.”

Late in the night on Jan. 22, a water pipe on the north side of Candlewood Suites burst, causing the hotel to close until further notice.

According to WooMi Phillips, assistant professor and head of the hospitality and tourism management department at NDSU, the water damage began somewhere in the third floor ceiling.

Candlewood Suites, although located on the north side of NDSU’s main campus just west of the Fargodome, is not technically not part of the university. However, the hotel caters to various departments on campus, offers a discounted rate to families of students and even houses a lounge and classroom for the hospitality and tourism management students.

“Initially, we were concerned about the laptops and the computers and printer in the lounge,” Phillips said.

Nichole Ascheman, operations manager at Candlewood Suites and former NDSU student, contacted assistant professor Dipra Jha about the situation early Monday, Jan. 23. Jha taught three hospitality classes in Candlewood Suites.

For more:  http://www.ndsuspectrum.com/news/water-damage-drowns-hotel-1.2773145

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by | February 10, 2012 · 6:41 am

Hospitality Industry Employee Risks: New York City Hotel Housekeeper's To Carry "Security Panic Button" Devices In Wake Of Sexual Assault Case (Video)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KeNcPW_0ig&feature=player_embedded]

Nine months ago a hotel maid accused Dominique Strauss Kahn of sexual assault. The case was dropped but now NYC hotel owners and the union that represents maids wants all housekeepers to carry a security ‘panic button.’

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by | February 9, 2012 · 1:57 am

Hospitality Industry Compliance Risks: Hotels Must Equip Pools And Spas With "Pool Lifts" To Comply With 2010 ADA Standards

The 2010 ADA Standards for pool access have significantly changed the requirements for municipal and private pools by requiring, for the first time, that they be equipped with independently useable pool lifts during all operating hours.

Since the DOJ announced its intention to require lifts in nearly all pools, the hotel industry and others have opposed or sought clarification of this provision.

In October, 2010, the American Hotel & Lodging Association sought clarification of the pool lift requirements which become mandatory on March 15, 2012. The AH&LA noted that pool lifts, particularly fixed devices, are potentially dangerous to users and children playing around pools. Moreover, they can be quite costly to most pool operators. The industry’s concerns apparently fell on deaf ears as evidenced by the DOJ’s position issued this week.

The DOJ has officially confirmed that:

  • The mandatory date for installation of pool lifts is March 15, 2012.
  • Pool lifts need to be installed at each pool during all operating times and be independently operable by disabled persons.
  • Pool lifts must be “fixed” unless the operator can prove that doing so would not be “readily achievable” as defined in the ADA, in which event, a portable lift meeting all of the ADA Guidelines could be deployed.
  • Accessible lifts cannot be shared between a pool and a spa, each would seem to require a separate device.
  • Pool lifts must be properly maintained and in good repair, with any battery components charged for use.
  • Staff must be trained in the use and safety of pool lifts.

For more:  http://hotellaw.jmbm.com/2012/02/doj_flash_on_pool_lifts.html

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by | February 6, 2012 · 8:23 am

Hospitality Industry Health Risks: South Carolina Hotel's Swimming Pool Heater May Have Been Leaking Carbon Monoxide For Weeks Prior To Guest's Death

Investigators say the hotel’s swimming pool heater leaked carbon monoxide sometime during the night, killing Moran and injuring at least 17 others. Carbon monoxide readings at the hotel reached 500 and 600 parts per million, South Charleston Fire Chief Greg Petry said. Authorities say any reading over 30 parts per million is cause for concern.

“…(a guest)… speculated that his death was caused by the swimming pool before investigators confirmed that carbon monoxide leaked from the pool’s heater…”

Staff members at the Holiday Inn Express in South Charleston were aware of a problem with their swimming pool 10 days before an apparent carbon monoxide leak from the pool’s heater killed one and injured several others Tuesday, two Randolph County women said this week.

Lori Burnside, 40, of Montrose, and Danielle Mallow, 38, of Elkins, stayed at the Corridor G hotel with their two daughters on Jan. 21, but said they did not get any sleep because the hotel’s fire alarms kept them awake during the night.

The alarms were blamed on a problem with the indoor swimming pool, they said, which had to be constantly ventilated by the hotel staff.

For more:  http://wvgazette.com/News/201202040030?page=2&build=cache

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by | February 5, 2012 · 6:32 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Florida Hotel Suffers Major Water Damage As Fire Sprinklers Are Accidently Activated, Flooding First And Second Floors

 “…A guest in a room knocked off a sprinkler, accidentally setting off the fire extinguishers. The knock-off of the sprinkler was itself accidental…The third floor was not affected. But water damaged the second floor, and seeped down to the first, damaging that floor as well. About three or four dozen guests were evacuated…”

Palm Coast’s Holiday Inn Express, a three-story, 81-room hotel, was evacuated this afternoon when sprinklers went off on the second floor. The Palm Coast Fire Department and the county’s fire rescue department responded in force, but there was no fire. A guest in a room knocked off a sprinkler, accidentally setting off the fire extinguishers. The knock-off of the sprinkler was itself accidental. No one was injured.

The third floor was not affected. But water damaged the second floor, and seeped down to the first, damaging that floor as well. About three or four dozen guests were evacuated. They were invited to register at the Hampton Inn and Suites, just 50 yards away. The Hampton Inn and the Holiday Inn Express are owned by the same concern. The Hampton Inn’s lobby at mid-afternoon was teeming with people registering at the front desk and waiting in the lobby-dining area, as firefighters remained at the Holiday Inn.

The Holiday Inn is expected to be off limits to guests for about 24 hours as a company is brought in to dry the two floors affected, authorities at the scene said. Although the third floor is not affected, the hotel’s elevator has been shut down because of water leakage. Hotel officials would not comment.

For more:  http://flaglerlive.com/33914/holiday-inn-evacuated/comment-page-1

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by | February 3, 2012 · 6:33 am

Hospitality Industry Health Risks: New York Hotel's Water System Is "Source" Of Six Reported Cases Of Legionnaire's Disease In 2011

“…New York state health officials say six cases of Legionnaire’s disease contracted last year have been linked to an upstate hotel…Legionnaires can cause deadly pneumonia…the germs spread through mist or vapor from contaminated water or air conditioning systems…”

A Department of Health spokesman tells local media outlets that tests confirmed earlier this week that higher than normal levels of legionnella bacteria were present in the water system at the Best Western Sovereign Hotel in Albany.

Officials say the guests who became ill stayed at the hotel between September and December.

The Times Union of Albany reports that Phoenix-based Best Western International said in a statement that the company is working with health officials and has taken steps to eliminate the bacteria. The company says current guests aren’t at risk.

For more:  http://online.wsj.com/article/APc99086b2afa94c57a72e593a6a15e400.html

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by | January 31, 2012 · 10:16 am

Hospitality Industry Health Risks: West Virginia Hotel Evacuated After Carbon Monoxide Detected; One Guest Dies And Others Hospitalized

 

The Holiday Inn Express along Corridor G in South Charleston has been evacuated after carbon monoxide was detected inside the building.

Kanawha County 911 Dispatchers tell WSAZ.com a man was found dead in the hotel and three others taken to the hospital.

One man was seriously injured. The other two victims were taken to the hospital as a precaution.

 

A South Charleston Firefighter tells WSAZ.com the two men were found on the 5th floor of the hotel.

 

Firefighters say there were extremely high levels of carbon monoxide found on several floors of the hotel.

 

About 10 to 15 people were inside the hotel at the time of the evacuation.

 

Firefighters say the room where the two men were staying did not have a carbon monoxide detector. According to the Assistant Fire Chief, hotels are not required by law to have carbon monoxide detectors, only smoke detectors.

For more:  http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/BREAKING_NEWS__Body_Found_at_Local_Hotel_Building_Evacuated_After_Carbon_Monoxide_Detected_138404409.html?ref=409

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