Across the United States an estimated 3,900 hotel and motel fires are reported each year causing an estimated 15 deaths, 150 injuries and $76 million in property loss. Here in Oregon there have been 215 hotel motel fires between 2010 and 2015 causing 15 injuries and more than $48 million dollars in damage, 8 of which were in the Eugene Springfield area. These statistics do not include the devastating loss of 4 lives in a Newport motel earlier this month. Eugene Springfield Fire Marshals will begin inspecting approximately 50 hotels and motels in Eugene and Springfield this week. While assessing compliance with all provisions of the fire code, inspectors will be paying particular attention to working smoke alarms in all sleeping rooms, maintenance and testing records of fire sprinkler and fire alarm systems if so equipped, emergency planning and training of employees, general housekeeping and emergency vehicle access. Fire and life safety requirements vary depending on when the building was built and the size/number of stories of the building. The Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Act of 1990 impacted fire and building codes to require hard-wired, single station smoke detectors in each guest room and automatic sprinkler systems in building taller than 3 stories. In the spring of 2007, the size exceptions went away and automatic sprinklers became required in all new hotels. We look forward to working with our local hotel and motel properties to make those staying in our communities as safe as possible. While we want to assure the public that we are inspecting for basic safety provisions, it is important for the public to not let their safety awareness take a vacation while travelling! Things to consider: * When possible choose a hotel/motel that is protected by both smoke alarms and a fire sprinkler system; * When you check in, be aware of marked exits and location of fire extinguishers; * When you enter your room, review the escape plan posted; * Take the time to walk your exit route counting the number of doors between you and the exit; * Open each door along your route to make sure they are not locked or blocked. Notify management immediately if necessary; * Keep room key next to bed and take it with you if there is a fire; * If the alarm sounds, leave right away, closing all doors behind you. Use the stairs, never an elevator in a fire emergency
* If you cannot escape, go back into your room; Call 9-1-1 and let them know your location; Turn off fans and air conditioners; Signal through window with flashlight or light colored cloth.
