Fire Safety

The topic that sparked the flame (pun intended) to create the NH Hostels Network. This topic is tricky and has lots of nuances but the main takeaways are as follows

Sprinkler Systems…You need one (by law) if:

  • your building accommodates 17 or more guests

  • You built a new building (that accommodates more than 4 people)

  • You changed the use of the building (for example- from a shed or barn into overnight accommodation space)

These bullets (and more info) can be found in this document www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/firesafety/bulletins/documents/06_bedandbreakfast.pdf

This document also explains the needs for: smoke alarms, window (emergency egress) size, and two clearly marked exits. These factors correlate with International Building Code, which further dives into doorway sizes, window sizes, railing heights etc etc. The full IBC book can be purchased here www.iccsafe.org/products-and-services/i-codes/2018-i-codes/ibc/ If you are doing your own renovations/construction, this is a must have. If you are hiring a contractor, they should already be well versed in this knowledge-as well as New Hampshire State Building Code and commercial business building code.

Sprinkler System Design/Installation Companies:

There are several in the state of New Hampshire. I personally loathe and absolutely DO NOT recommend Life Safety Protection. They have taken over 1.5 years to install our system and have blindsided us step after step with new charges, changes, functionality issues etc. Again, I David Cook, DO NOT recommend Life Safety Protection for your installation. I don’t want anyone to be subject to their asinine work ethics/methods/reoccurring issues/poor staff performance etc etc. Below is a list of GOOD designers/installers:

With each sprinkler system, you will by law, need TWO phone lines run/installed and hooked up to the monitoring system. This is a reoccurring monthly charge from your local phone (make sure its a plain old telephone system [aka POTS]) provider (ie not spectrum or other digital services). The monitoring system is often not included by the installation/design company and will also require monitoring, by law. Companies that offer monitoring

If you are not on city water (ie well water) you will need reservoir tanks in addition to your fire pump/monitor. The tank size is dependent on building size and will be determined by the design company. This will be included in your final proposal before work begins. Barn Door Hostel's entire fire pump/alarm/monitor and tanks are contained in a room 16feet by 16feet. The room itself gets its own sprinkler head. Again, this will be included in the design. Make sure this room is well insulated so water pipes/tanks don’t freeze in the cold winter months.

In addition to your new (dual) phone bill and your new monitoring bill, you will also by law be required to run a separate power line to the pump you just installed, so now you will have a new electric bill as well-how fun! This is required by law in the state of New Hampshire. The pump’s specific power will get its own CT Cabinet (similar to a meter on the side of your house) or a meter (depending on size of pump and your local power supply company’s engineers discretion. This is for your own safety. If the fire department responds to an emergency at your property and they suspect an electrical fire-the first thing they will do is cut the power. Now thankfully your pump has its own power, so it will not be turned off and continue to operate-spraying water until your fire department turns it off. 9 times out of 10, your monitor, alarm panel, and fire pump will require a specific electrocution (not just your run of the mill electrician). Barn Door Hostel utilized Alex “Al” Barnardi from Plymouth Mountain Electric (www.facebook.com/PlymouthMountainElectric/), who did a fantastic job and was very good at communicating every step of his progress. He services a large radius in New Hampshire

Speaking of fire departments. They will also need an exterior hookup into your main sprinkler line. This should be included in your proposal before work begins. Barn Door Hostel has two hookups…one directly in front of the building (opposite side from where the pump/tanks are) and one hook up on the back side of the building (directly next to the pump and tanks).

If you have a specific stove/cooktop size, your design company may require a “kitchen specific” fire suppression system in addition to your normal sprinkler getting installed. often times these are commercial grade and have foam rather than water as a retardant. This is ultimately up to the NH State Fire Marshall office, your town’s restrictions, and the design team.

Fire Safety:

  • Extinguishers: You should at the very least have manual (hand held) fire extinguishers placed sporadically throughout your establishment. Barn Door Hostel utilizes a company that mounts/monitors/inspects/exchanges these extinguishers each year so we don’t have to worry about them. The company is called United Safety Services LLC (https://www.facebook.com/United-Safety-Services-LLC-154771998035176/ )

  • Drywall: Again, according to International Building Code laws, a true firesafe room is a double layer of 5/8” thick drywall. This is pretty intense. Consult your local Fire Chief or the State Fire Marshall to see what they recommend. They allowed Barn Door Hostel to install a single layer of 5/8” drywall which was PLENTY (those suckers are heavy as hell).

  • Exit signs/Emergency Lights: These are required by law, must be illuminated, and placed strategically (by an electrician) and hardwired so even if the breaker flips off, the lights and signs are still on. Throw a couple extra emergency lights (without signs) in hallways to illuminate pathways or obstacles (such as tops of stairs, large furniture etc)

  • Smoke/CO2 Detectors: By law, these must be hardwired and linked. They make fancy ones that are still linked but actually not hardwired except for one or two. These are acceptable and pretty rad! We got these installed and they work like a charm. If you’re doing anything dusty, make sure to cover these with a shower cap to not set them off-and take them off when you’re done

  • Doors and windows: check with your local contractor for what the legal requirements are in terms of size number, placement, exterior ladders (for second floors) etc as well as steel doors (not wood). [Our local chief and state Marshall has given Barn Door Hostel permission to utilize wooden doors with the extent of overkill we have put into fire suppression.]

  • Signage: On the back of each door you should have a map of how to get out (and a copy of the New Hampshire Lodging/Restaurant Association’s Innkeeper Liability document) as well as emergency numbers. Yes! post the number “911”, yes! post the non emergency number for your local fire department (as well as name of nearest hospital), and yes! post your current location. The info should look something like this—>

    • Emergency Phone Number 911

    • Non Emergency Fire Department Number (603) XXX-XXXX

    • Closest Hospital XXXXXXX Hospital located at XXXXXXXXXXXXX

    • You’re currently located at XXXXX Hostel in XXX room at XXX Road in XXX town New Hampshire

  • Employee Training: Make sure your staff are trained and knowledgable about your Emergency Action Plan (and make sure you HAVE an Emergency Action Plan). Make sure they are mindful of where circuit breakers are, what their rolls are in case of a fire (ushering? checking rooms? suppressing?)

Please let me know in the comments below if I’ve missed any pertinent details or if you have questions. Many of the laws I have stated are searchable on the nh.gov website and/or by giving a call to the local chief, state marshall, or town/state offices affiliated with the issue at hand.

If anyone wants to check out our fire suppression setup, please call/text Barn Door Hostel at (603) 254-1700. I’d be glad to show you what we have.