Fire Escape

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NC Innkeeper

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The building inspectors now either decided or what I believe, realized they were supposed to be doing fire code inspections on business.
So years ago they sent a letter / bill on this matter claiming there would be a fee attached to this inspection. I went to the office to pay but they were not able to process cc., new building they had just moved into. Well after the second visit I decided if they were not going to take my cc and actually had not done the inspection than I would go on my way.
Last year the inspector calls me, he is on his way up to do an inspection. Oh ok. Few things he asked, monthly record keeping of fire extinguisher inspections by myself and fire escape signs on back of bedroom doors. I understand these things should be done for the safety of the guest.
Its just the signs on the doors, I wasn't sure how I was going to make them without them looking like a stick figure running out the door. The Inn is very simple in design so no hallway just one set of steps. If you cannot go down them out the window you go.
So does anyone else have fire escape signs on doors?
 
No. WV Fire Codes for B & Bs are:
3 rooms or less = just a residence
4 to 6 rooms:
Sprinkler system OR
2 interior staircases (ie main staircase & maid's staircase) OR
Immediate outside access from each guestroom (balconys or sleeping porches) OR
a COVERED outside staircase to ground accessed by a door accessible to everone on that floor UNLESS
Guestrooms on 3rd floor the outside staircase is required (Innkeeps quarters on 3rd floor not required)
 
NC Innkeeper said:
So does anyone else have fire escape signs on doors?
I did. Nine guest rooms, when you close the door from the inside, diagram in a plastic sleeve fastened on the door, showing two ways out with red arrows. and YOU ARE HERE. Also had them in common areas. No stick figures. Do an online search for free fire escape plan templates.
 
I was able to create a fire escape drawing on my OpenOffice draw. Not as cute as the stick figure running with flames behind him but more within code regulations I guess.
 
I was able to create a fire escape drawing on my OpenOffice draw. Not as cute as the stick figure running with flames behind him but more within code regulations I guess..
On the way home from the Council Meeting tonight, the Assistant Fire Chief stopped to talk to the Mayor and me. I asked him if the VFD still had the drawing I had given them ofthe layout of my B & B.He did not know but said he would like to stop by sometime to see the house. I invited him to do it now.
He was blown away by what I had and when I told him I tell the guests that my fire extinguishers are to be treated as decorations I am required to have he was SOOO happy to hear that. I said I just want everyone OUT and then showed him how the escape windows are always on latch and how the front door lock worked - locked to outside but inside turns knob to get out. I provided a fire inspection tonight although none is required - and I passed with flying colors.
Funny thing is, I had a call this morning from a new innkeeper in WV who has to go before the Fire Commision to ask for a waiver forher 3rd floor guestroom.she has a letter from Historic Preservation that the required outside staircase would destroy the historic of the house. I gave her info of how ro presernt her case to the Fire Commissioners with a packet for each one and what to do before she goes before them offering solutions of how she can mitigate the situation if they giveher the waiver, without putting guests at risk (there is a balcony at that room for immeditate exit from the building).
 
3 rooms here - "Exit Route" (diagram of upstairs, where you are, and where to go) printed and laminated on the back/inside of each room's door. Being a graphic designer by trade helped...
 
I was able to create a fire escape drawing on my OpenOffice draw. Not as cute as the stick figure running with flames behind him but more within code regulations I guess..
On the way home from the Council Meeting tonight, the Assistant Fire Chief stopped to talk to the Mayor and me. I asked him if the VFD still had the drawing I had given them ofthe layout of my B & B.He did not know but said he would like to stop by sometime to see the house. I invited him to do it now.
He was blown away by what I had and when I told him I tell the guests that my fire extinguishers are to be treated as decorations I am required to have he was SOOO happy to hear that. I said I just want everyone OUT and then showed him how the escape windows are always on latch and how the front door lock worked - locked to outside but inside turns knob to get out. I provided a fire inspection tonight although none is required - and I passed with flying colors.
Funny thing is, I had a call this morning from a new innkeeper in WV who has to go before the Fire Commision to ask for a waiver forher 3rd floor guestroom.she has a letter from Historic Preservation that the required outside staircase would destroy the historic of the house. I gave her info of how ro presernt her case to the Fire Commissioners with a packet for each one and what to do before she goes before them offering solutions of how she can mitigate the situation if they giveher the waiver, without putting guests at risk (there is a balcony at that room for immeditate exit from the building).
.
We are about to change our fire detectors, because they have a 10 year life span (which is also the life span of the batteries) and they sell new ones that are about $10 more that are interconnected. So if one goes off, they all go off. She may want to get that for the top floor. Gives more warning.
 
I was able to create a fire escape drawing on my OpenOffice draw. Not as cute as the stick figure running with flames behind him but more within code regulations I guess..
On the way home from the Council Meeting tonight, the Assistant Fire Chief stopped to talk to the Mayor and me. I asked him if the VFD still had the drawing I had given them ofthe layout of my B & B.He did not know but said he would like to stop by sometime to see the house. I invited him to do it now.
He was blown away by what I had and when I told him I tell the guests that my fire extinguishers are to be treated as decorations I am required to have he was SOOO happy to hear that. I said I just want everyone OUT and then showed him how the escape windows are always on latch and how the front door lock worked - locked to outside but inside turns knob to get out. I provided a fire inspection tonight although none is required - and I passed with flying colors.
Funny thing is, I had a call this morning from a new innkeeper in WV who has to go before the Fire Commision to ask for a waiver forher 3rd floor guestroom.she has a letter from Historic Preservation that the required outside staircase would destroy the historic of the house. I gave her info of how ro presernt her case to the Fire Commissioners with a packet for each one and what to do before she goes before them offering solutions of how she can mitigate the situation if they giveher the waiver, without putting guests at risk (there is a balcony at that room for immeditate exit from the building).
.
We are about to change our fire detectors, because they have a 10 year life span (which is also the life span of the batteries) and they sell new ones that are about $10 more that are interconnected. So if one goes off, they all go off. She may want to get that for the top floor. Gives more warning.
.
Thank you. Passed it on.
 
There is a detector in all 4 bedrooms upstairs, two in loft then 5 on the main floor.
Mine are hardwired with battery back up. Talk about a challenge when you hear that cheep. Which one is it, cheep, you? Nope, cheep, dang it.
 
There is a detector in all 4 bedrooms upstairs, two in loft then 5 on the main floor.
Mine are hardwired with battery back up. Talk about a challenge when you hear that cheep. Which one is it, cheep, you? Nope, cheep, dang it..
Not been asked (yet) to have escape route signs, of course each guest room opens directly to the outside of the building. Smoke/fire alarm system has a single backup power source that gets inspected with the system each year so no chasing the "cheeps", fortunately only activated a few times by a smoker or a steamy shower as the system is monitored and calls the fire department.
 
There is a detector in all 4 bedrooms upstairs, two in loft then 5 on the main floor.
Mine are hardwired with battery back up. Talk about a challenge when you hear that cheep. Which one is it, cheep, you? Nope, cheep, dang it..
Hah,we have the same issue when one of our units goes off. I'm tempted to replace them with smart units like Nest so that we get an alert with the name of the unit that went off. Of course the Nest units are expensive and we also have 11 units on the property.
 
well that famous chirp for me luckily has been daytime, knock on wood. to have one at night is one of the worst thing to have to deal with.
 
There is a detector in all 4 bedrooms upstairs, two in loft then 5 on the main floor.
Mine are hardwired with battery back up. Talk about a challenge when you hear that cheep. Which one is it, cheep, you? Nope, cheep, dang it..
Hah,we have the same issue when one of our units goes off. I'm tempted to replace them with smart units like Nest so that we get an alert with the name of the unit that went off. Of course the Nest units are expensive and we also have 11 units on the property.
.
Hence ten year Lithium battery sealed units. You replace the whole unit every 10 years. And since most people don't realize that you have to replace the units every 10 years anyway, it kills two birds with one stone. They need to be replaced in any year ending in 0 in this house.
 
No. WV Fire Codes for B & Bs are:
3 rooms or less = just a residence
4 to 6 rooms:
Sprinkler system OR
2 interior staircases (ie main staircase & maid's staircase) OR
Immediate outside access from each guestroom (balconys or sleeping porches) OR
a COVERED outside staircase to ground accessed by a door accessible to everone on that floor UNLESS
Guestrooms on 3rd floor the outside staircase is required (Innkeeps quarters on 3rd floor not required).
gillumhouse said:
No. WV Fire Codes for B & Bs are:
3 rooms or less = just a residence
4 to 6 rooms:
Sprinkler system OR
2 interior staircases (ie main staircase & maid's staircase) OR
Immediate outside access from each guestroom (balconys or sleeping porches) OR
a COVERED outside staircase to ground accessed by a door accessible to everone on that floor UNLESS
Guestrooms on 3rd floor the outside staircase is required (Innkeeps quarters on 3rd floor not required)
There is a natural suntan light with the sign exit for emergency escape
 
Ok I pass the fire inspection and he hands me my copy.
No fee this time, this is what pisses me off. Not saying I want to pay it but you cannot make rules up as you go along here Mr. Government.
Years ago you try to get me to pay the fee prior to inspection and never come do the inspection. Years go by with not a word of inspections then one day you call saying your on your way to do it. Give me my copy with a bill, which I paid. Now this year inspection no bill. ?????????????
Stupid stupid stupid!
 
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