A San Antonio, Texas, hotel was evacuated due to carbon monoxide exposure from a pool heater. The incident occurred at the Hampton Inn and Suites downtown on the Riverwalk on February 24 and resulted in five people being taken to the hospital.
Fire officials said that people in the hotel gym were not feeling well and their symptoms aligned with carbon monoxide poisoning.
All residents of the Inn were evacuated outside for fresh air.
Two of the gymgoers needed further treatment, and three others were taken for evaluation out of precaution, according to the San Antonio Fire Department.
A Hazmat crew was called to the scene for air monitoring, and they found high levels of carbon monoxide in the building, fire officials said.
SAFD crews worked quickly to evacuate the entire building and get each of the floors ventilated.
At the time of the incident, Chief Charles Hood said that they were trying to find the source of the gas leak and believed it may be in the heating area downstairs by the pool.
The following week, Joe Arrington, a public information officer for
Take it wherever you go…
Most hotels do not have CO alarms in their rooms!
As of 2022 only 14 states require the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in hotels and motels according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
CO
From page 1
SAFD, confirmed that pool heating equipment was related to the release of carbon monoxide, but additional details were not made available.
What You Can Do to Prevent
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Service professionals who are knowledgeable about the proper installation, operation, and venting of pool and spa heaters may wish to offer yearly heater inspections to hotels and motels in their areas.
In addition to providing a source of revenue to pool service and repair professionals, it can save lives.
Injuries and deaths from pool and spa heaters are all too common.
This year, there has already been
one incident caused by a pool heater: In February 2023, a malfunction with a pool heater at a San Antonio Hotel sent 5 people to the hospital.
And in January, 2022, a pool at the Marysville, Ohio, Hampton Inn. A total of 14 people — six of them children — were taken to area hospitals.
Three of the patients were critical, and five were listed in serious condition.
But in addition to these incidents, in 2022 there were at least 13 other hotel or motel incidents involving numerous people who sustained injuries or death where the exact source of the carbon monoxide was never reported.
Meanwhile, in the past 20 years, at least 1,090 people have been injured by carbon monoxide leaks in U.S. hotels, with 32 people — including 7 children — dying, according to the Jenkins Foundation, a nonprofit group that tracks carbon monoxide incidents at hotels.
Dr. Lindell K. Weaver, who specializes in carbon monoxide poisoning at I n t e rmountain Healthcare in Salt Lake City, Utah, says the most common causes of CO
From page 4
carbon monoxide poisoning in hotels are boilers and heaters used to warm swimming pools and water for an entire wing.
Among those who are poisoned, about30to50percentexperiencelasting effects including cognitive issues and heart damage, said Dr. Weaver.
That’s why experts recommend that it is important to have a qualified technician inspect fuel-burning appliances at least once each year.
Fuel burning appliances such as oil and gas furnaces, hot water heaters and stoves require yearly maintenance.
A qualified technician can identify and repair problems with fuel burning appliances.
This is a service that you, as a knowledgeable pool professional, can offer to hotels and motels in your area.
And while you’re there, don’t forget to install a carbon monoxide detector and encourage hotel operators to set them up in every hotel room.
