November 22, 2019
Review of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Incident at Winnipeg Hotel Released
– – –Review Found Hotel Had No Carbon Monoxide Detectors Installed When Incident Occurred: Squires
An Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC) review of a July 2019 incident at a Winnipeg hotel that saw several people taken to hospital for carbon monoxide poisoning has been publicly released, Municipal Relations Minister Rochelle Squires announced today.
“The safety of Manitobans is always of paramount concern,” said Squires. “We are working with the City of Winnipeg to further develop standards that will help to prevent life-threatening incidents like this from ever happening again.”
The incident occurred on July 9 at a hotel at 3760 Portage Ave. in Winnipeg. Following complaints of illness by guests and staff, the building was evacuated and staff activated their emergency response plan.
The OFC review determined that carbon monoxide from a hot water boiler was venting in an area that allowed it to be pulled back into the air exchange system and circulated throughout the hotel. An open blower motor door on the air make-up unit and cool chimney temperature contributed to gases staying in the building, rather than rising and exhausting out the chimney, otherwise known as a ‘reverse stack effect’. A number of individuals were treated at the scene and in hospital, but there were no serious injuries reported from the incident.
Carbon monoxide monitors used by Manitoba Hydro and Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service crews at the scene of the incident found dangerously high readings ranging from 65 parts per million (ppm) on the main floor to 190 ppm in the basement where the mechanical room is located and 380 ppm on the third floor.
The Manitoba Fire Code requires carbon monoxide detection and warning equipment be installed in hotels because of the risk of carbon monoxide exposure. It has been determined the hotel did not have any carbon monoxide detectors in place at the time of the incident.
On July 24, Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health issued an order requiring monitoring for carbon monoxide in the workplace. That order was complied with and the employer installed seven carbon monoxide monitors in public areas and hallways and three carbon monoxide propane and natural gas detectors in areas where gas appliances are used.
“This report underscores the need for increased co-ordination and collaboration with our municipal partners,” said Squires. “It is a position we are working toward as part of the Winnipeg Metro Region review.”
The findings of this report have been shared with the City of Winnipeg Fire and Paramedic Service, as inspections to ensure compliance with fire and building code provisions are a municipal responsibility. Hotels are inspected on a 36-month cycle and the hotel was last inspected in May 2018. Records indicate the most recent inspection determined the hotel was ‘current’ with all requirements.
The OFC review has concluded there were no intentional or deceptive actions taken and the incident has been deemed accidental.
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