Tag Archives: Carbon Monoxide

by | January 9, 2014 · 8:22 am

Hospitality Industry Legal Risks: “Boone Hotel Executive Charged in Best Western Deaths “

“…Investigators have determined that carbon monoxide from the swimming pool water heater seeped up from a corroded exhaust pipe into the room, Imagekilling Daryl and Shirley Jenkins of Washington state in April and 11-year-old Jeffrey Williams of York County in June. Jeffrey’s mother, Jeannie, suffered serious injuries…”

“…“It doesn’t require evil intent,” said John Barylick, a lawyer in the Rhode Island case. ‘It just requires that you were stunningly careless.’…”

A business executive who managed the Best Western was indicted Wednesday on charges of involuntary manslaughter in the deaths last year of three hotel guests poisoned by carbon monoxide.A grand jury returned the three counts against Damon Mallatere, president of Appalachian Hospitality Management. The jury also indicted Mallatere on one additional count of assault inflicting serious bodily injury on another hotel guest who was poisoned.Police and prosecutors ended a news briefing without discussing the indictments, leaving many unanswered questions. Though Mallatere is the only person charged, an Observer investigation uncovered multiple missteps that contributed to the tragedies in the hotel’s Room 225.

For more: http://www.thestate.com/2014/01/08/3196549/boone-hotel-executive-charged.html

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2014/01/08/3196549/boone-hotel-executive-charged.html#storylink=cpy
Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2014/01/08/3196549/boone-hotel-executive-charged.html#storylink=cpyImage

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by | June 17, 2013 · 10:16 am

Hospitality Industry Health Risks: North Carolina Hotel “Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths” Tied To 2006 “Unpermitted Pool Water Heater” Replacement, Poor Ventilation System

“…the hotel, which was originally built in 2000, never applied for a permit, nor did they seek an inspection of the new pool water heater…State Hotel Carbon Monoxide Deathslaw requires a permit if businesses perform any alteration to indoor plumbing or heating…An 11-year-old Rock Hill boy died in room 225 at the Best Western Plus in Boone in early June. The toxicology report states the concentration of carbon monoxide in his blood was greater than 60-percent…An elderly couple staying in the same room died in April of carbon monoxide poisoning…”

Authorities in Boone say the Best Western Plus replaced the pool’s water heater without applying for a permit or requesting an inspection. The town of Boone Planning and Inspection Department says the Best Western Plus, the hotel where three people died of carbon monoxide poisoning, replaced the pool water heater in 2006.

The Planning and Inspection Department says the town is discussing having the fire department check all area hotels to ensure there are no other pool water heaters that have been replaced without their knowledge. Officials say this will be implemented in the near future.

Room 225 is directly above a storage room where pool chemicals are housed, and the pool’s water heating system lives. Authorities have blamed deficiencies in the natural gas water heater and the storage room’s ventilation system for the poisonous gas seeping into the guestroom directly above.

For more:  http://www.wcnc.com/news/business/No-permit-no-inspection-after-installing-new-hotel-water-heater-211841721.html

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by | June 11, 2013 · 5:55 am

Hospitality Industry Health Risks: Tennessee Hotel Guest Dies From “Carbon Monoxide Poisoning”; Room Directly Above Natural Gas Pool Heater

“…Health Department inspectors found deficiencies at the Best Western’s indoor swimming pool earlier this hotel Carbon Monoxide Poisoningyear…the bottom-floor pool is below the second-floor room where the deaths occurred. Room 225 is directly above a room with a natural gas heater for the pool, police said…a March 6 inspection showed the pool’s pump was not approved by an industry standards group. The report also found the pool’s chemical and equipment room needed better ventilation…”

Police on Monday said elevated carbon monoxide levels were found in a hotel room where an 11-year-old boy died over the weekend, two months after the poisonous gas killed an elderly couple in the same room. Authorities said an autopsy of Jeffrey Lee Williams of Rock Hill indicated he died from asphyxia, though blood tests were not complete. Jeffrey was found Saturday in a room at Best Western Plus Blue Ridge Plaza, where he was staying with his mother, Jeannie Williams.

Williams, 49, remained hospitalized Monday at Watauga Medical Center. At a Monday news conference, Boone police Sgt. Shane Robbins said newly obtained blood test results show carbon monoxide killed Daryl Dean Jenkins, 73, and Shirley Mae Jenkins, 72, both of Longview, Wash. They were found April 16, also in Room 225.

The revelations raised new questions about the death investigations, including why blood test results in the Jenkins’ deaths took two months to complete.

A spokesman for the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the state’s medical examiner’s office, refused to release death reports in the three cases, saying they were incomplete.

The Observer requested an interview with N.C. Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Deborah Radisch, but spokesman Ricky Diaz said she would not be available.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/06/10/4097181/report-carbon-monoxide-found-at.html#storylink=cpy

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by | March 30, 2013 · 1:10 am

Hospitality Industry Health Risks: Alabama Hotel Guests Hospitalized After Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Caused By “Malfunctioning Heating Unit And Faulty Duct Work”

“…the problem likely had to do with a heating unit that malfunctioned in addition to some faulty ductwork. The carbon monoxide poisoningissues impacted the fifth and sixth floors of the hotel…in addition to the 11 total guests exhibiting symptoms on Friday morning, a family of four also were said to have been experiencing flu-like symptoms. The family was urged to seek medical treatment and did so before returning to their home in Florida…”

Fifteen guests at the Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa in Hoover were taken to the hospital with carbon monoxide poisoning on Friday. According to Hoover Fire Department Lieutenant Rusty Lowe, firefighters received a call at approximately 6:30 a.m. on Friday morning about an unresponsive guest at the hotel.

Upon arrival, fire officials discovered ten additional guests who were exhibiting symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. The guests’ symptoms ranged from headaches and nausea to mental problems.

All of the impacted guests were transferred to a nearby hospital for treatment.

For more:  http://www.cbs42.com/mostpopular/story/15-guests-at-Birmingham-hotel-treated-for-carbon/BDBQeW5_70mbg122MdCg5Q.cspx

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by | March 20, 2013 · 6:01 am

Hospitality Industry Health Risks: Tennessee Hotel Housekeepers Hospitalized After “Exposure To Carbon Monoxide” In Basement Laundry Room

hotel Carbon Monoxide Poisoning“…two housekeepers were in a basement laundry room when they began feeling dizzy and nauseous. One of the house keepers got physically sick…both women were taken to Memorial Hospital Hixson for treatment…”

Two Holiday Inn Express employees fell ill over suspected exposure to carbon monoxide. Officials with the Chattanooga Fire Department say they responded to the Holiday Inn Express on Hixson Pike around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Firefighters evacuated the building. They used gas monitors to check the building and found elevated levels of carbon monoxide. The building was ventilated and aired and deemed safe to return to.

For more:  http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/21722645/2-motel-employees-fall-ill-after-carbon-monoxide-exposure

Motel management and Chattanooga Gas officials are working to determine what caused the leak and repair it.

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by | February 26, 2013 · 7:14 am

Hospitality Industry Health Risks: Florida Hotel Guests Hospitalized With “Flu-Like Symptoms” Were Exposed To High-Levels Of Carbon Monoxide; Broken Exhaust Fans In Boiler Room Caused Gas To Build Up For Days

 “…broken exhaust fans in the building’s boiler room allowed the room to fill with carbon monoxide…a guest staying (next to boiler room) was hospitalized for similar (flu-like) symptoms…but no one made the connection hotel Carbon Monoxide Poisoningto carbon monoxide exposure, and the guest was not tested…firefighters suspect the carbon monoxide level was high since Friday or earlier…”

Guests at a south Fort Myers hotel may have been exposed to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide at least three days before the building was evacuated Monday. Firefighters responded to Crestwood Suites Extended Lodging off U.S. 41 around 12:45 p.m. Monday and discovered high levels of the deadly gas.

Guests were allowed back inside after firefighters shut off the gas and ventilated the building, but two people were hospitalized for exposure. The two hospitalized guests, who were staying near the boiler room, are in good condition and were hospitalized for observation as a precaution, Knudsen said.

Knudsen said firefighters checked carbon monoxide levels after the two guests called Lee County EMS complaining of flu-like symptoms. Responding firefighters noticed the guests’ proximity to the boiler room and suspected their symptoms were caused by an environmental factor.

Firefighters measured the carbon monoxide level in the boiler room at 2,000 parts per million, and in the lobby at 300 parts per million. Exposure to anything above 600 parts per million carries a high risk of death, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry website. Patients can experience symptoms including drowsiness, weakness, nausea, headaches and coma at levels of 160 to 1,000.

For more:  http://www.news-press.com/article/20130226/NEWS0117/302260021/Cause-guests-flu-south-Fort-Myers-hotel-Carbon-monoxide

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by | January 15, 2013 · 7:48 am

Hospitality Industry Safety Risks: California Hotel Faces “Negligence Lawsuit” Over Carbon Monoxide Leak From Hotel Pool Boiler

“…(the plaintiff) was a guest at the time of the evacuation, which was believed to be caused by a boiler leak…claims the hotel was not equipped with carbon monoxide detectors resulted in exposing paying guests to hotel Carbon Monoxide Poisoninghazardous levels of the gas… he’s claiming negligence and requesting the hotel cover costs of general damages, medical bills, potential loss of revenue and legal fees…”

A carbon monoxide leak that prompted the evacuation of the Embassy Suites San Francisco Airport hotel in Burlingame in November prompted a lawsuit from a guest who was staying at the hotel. On Friday, a lawsuit was filed against the hotel on behalf of Robert and Diane McNamara by San Francisco-based attorney Richard Schoenberger.

Firefighters were called to the hotel at 150 Anza Blvd. to test its air quality and evacuate guests around 1 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, according to news reports at the time.

The carbon monoxide was traced to a boiler that feeds the hotel pool and a spa, Central County Fire Chief Don Dornell said at the time. The unit was immediately shut down, and carbon monoxide levels dissipated, he said. At the time, it was reported that there were no injuries nor was treatment required of anyone. Guests were able to return to their rooms shortly after 5 a.m. Crews remained at the hotel monitoring the air throughout the morning.

For more:  http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=1761499&title=Carbon%20monoxide%20leak%20at%20hotel%20sparks%20lawsuit

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by | November 16, 2012 · 7:12 am

Hospitality Industry Health Risks: Data Reveals Few U.S. Hotels Have "Carbon Monoxide Alarms" Installed; 30 Incidents Of Elevated CO Levels Has Led To Evacuations And 8 Deaths

“…Few of the roughly 4.9 million rooms in 51,214 lodging properties with at least 15 rooms have (carbon monoxide) alarms…From 2010 through Nov. 8, 2102, there were 30 incidents of fire departments or government officials finding elevated levels of CO at U.S. hotels…in the 30 incidents, more than 1,300 people were evacuated, eight died, and at least 170 were affected by CO, treated by medical personnel or hospitalized…”

Neil Hampson was inside his room at a lodge in Alaska during a salmon fishing vacation three years ago when his carbon monoxide alarm sounded. Hampson, a Seattle doctor and expert on carbon monoxide, went to the basement and found the CO level four times higher. He says he turned off the gas for the water heater, and CO levels throughout the building “dropped precipitously.”

A plumber later found that the water heater was improperly vented, he says, and the lodge owner installed CO alarms in each sleeping room. Guests and staff at the lodge near Alaska’s Kenai River were fortunate Hampson carries an alarm which detects the odorless, colorless poison gas that can cause brain damage or be lethal.

Only a handful of state or municipal laws require them, although more than 1,300 people were evacuated nationally from hotels because of high CO levels in recent years.

CO, often called “the silent killer,” is such a threat that the National Fire Protection Association says CO alarms should be near bedrooms in every home.

For more:  http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/hotels/2012/11/15/hotels-carbon-monoxide-alarms/1707863/

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by | November 8, 2012 · 11:50 am

Hospitality Industry Safety Risks: California Hotel Evacuated As "Carbon Monoxide" Gases From Malfunctioning Boiler Force Ventilation Of Building

A carbon monoxide alarm forced hundreds of guests out of their hotel rooms overnight at the Embassy Suites in Burlingame, near San Francisco International Airport. The hotel’s emergency alarms started sounding around 1 a.m. Thursday morning.

Ralph Gallegos said he didn’t think much of it at first.”At first I thought someone had tripped the alarm,” he said. “About 15 minutes later the police department came on and said we had to evacuate the building.”

“I got out of bed thinking it was a prank and started looking around for some hoodlums so I could give ’em some grief,” said Jim Heller. “Then I looked out the window and saw first responders waving their flashlights at us, so I decided to evacuate.”

Between 400 and 500 people could be seen wrapped in blankets and curled up on benches outside the hotel, trying to get some sleep as emergency crews went in to test for carbon monoxide.

Investigators traced the poisonous gas to a malfunctioning boiler. Fire crews opened windows and doors in most of the hotel rooms to ventilate the building.

For more:  http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/Hotel-Evacuated-for-Carbon-Monoxide-Gas-177864481.html

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by | March 19, 2012 · 8:26 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Texas Hotel Evacuated After Guests Exposed To Carbon Monoxide; Boiler Room Thought To Be Source

“…several people from the hotel went to a hospital on their own and nobody was seriously hurt. He says the individuals apparently had similar symptoms, such as nausea and headaches, leading hospital personnel to contact the fire department…”

Part of a Dallas-area hotel has been evacuated after some people got sick from possible carbon monoxide exposure.

Wilson says carbon monoxide possibly was detected in a hotel boiler room. A clerk who answered the phone said the front desk area had been declared safe. Warning alarms could be heard in the background.

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/03/19/3819780/part-of-irving-hotel-evacuated.html#storylink=cpy

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