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City forces Brunswick to close
Mayor: Hotel lacked fire alarms
Intelligencer Journal
Lancaster New Era
Jul 09, 2009 00:07 EST
Lancaster
By TOM MURSE, Staff Writer

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QUOTE (opinionated68 @ Jul 11 2009, 02:00 PM)
I am not an expert and I admit that I can only base my opinion on what I have read, heard and experienced personally.

My family stayed at the Brunswick while it was in the midst of renovating. It was in the summer two years ago and the hotel was in disarray, the lobby and hallways were without airconditioning. The room they stayed in was airconditioned and was fairly nice, although not 100% complete (was a hole where the mini fridge should be). While we were understanding of the fact that the hotel must still be operational in order to fund these renovations, had we known that the mini fridge wasn't all this hotel was lacking (ie. fire alarm system!) we would've never had our family stay in this hotel!

It never occurred to us that a hotel would be allowed to operate if it was not deemed safe by the city. (Is that a question we're supposed to have to ask upon making a reservation??) I am angry that the city (my city) would allow a hotel that housed my family to operate knowing full well that it was not up to code...and has continued to do so for the last two years!!

I agree that it's in Lancaster City's best interest to have the Brunswick stay open, but not at the expense of people's lives and well being. My family is coming next month for a visit and may have once again chosen the Brunswick (based on proximity to my city home). I'm grateful that at least NOW that dangerous option has been eliminated. Will they stay at the Marriott? I'll let you know.


They had an operating system...not up to par...have u read the list of violations on newslanc.com...the unbias reporter...half of the violations are stupid stuff...the hotel is under a huge renovation...missing baseboards, outlet covers are part of a renovation...half the floors are not on the market cause these are the floors that have these problems. I work at this hotel and in its defense...have gone to work and seen the contractor's trucks there!! It was a work in progress!
lanclady
Thank you lanclady, you are appreciated. Keep on filling us in on the situation - - we need a voice from inside the Brunswick.
Lisa Armellino
QUOTE (Artie See @ Jul 11 2009, 08:48 PM)
That's why I specifically bought a row home that has cement block firewalls that go the whole way to the roof. I have noticed that homes built more recently have firewalls that extend ABOVE the roof line.

The insurance companies usually ask if common walls are masonary; They really are the best thing. But even double-layer 5/8" type X firecode drywall or shaftwall will buy enough time for firefighters to arrive and begin the process of containing and extinquishing a fire. Firemen can do a lot in the estimated two hour burn-through time gained by that move. If your neighbor adds two layers to his side you have a four hour rated wall.
Even cheaper than having a firewall installed is getting rid of combustable rubbish that tends to collect in most attic storage areas. You'd need to get it out of there to have firewalls installed anyway.
Nativeson
QUOTE
they had a system...it was just not updated to meet new requirements!!


That is what I read. They gave them an extension to upgrade the system. On this last inspection, they found the entire system to be non-functional. That is why they shut them down. Obviously, the system, while old, was a functioning system during the last inspections.
Shirley U Geste
QUOTE (Shirley U Geste @ Jul 12 2009, 06:37 AM)
That is what I read. They gave them an extension to upgrade the system. On this last inspection, they found the entire system to be non-functional. That is why they shut them down. Obviously, the system, while old, was a functioning system during the last inspections.


The other items in the report were enough for immediate closure. This isn't an issue where excuses are allowed. You should be screaming about why this took place, and what else maybe unsafe in Lancaster.

Outlet covers missing etc. are all serious. Even on a floor under renovation and the public isn't using, is still a hazzard to workers. Extension cords, all the violations listed, they are obviously on-going violations that have been taking place since the items powered by them were installed. Stained ceiling tiles mean they are in disrepair and can allow smoke to penetrate.

Again, there is no excuse. This building should have been closed long ago. I would investigate the three year warning. Why was it given, what changed since the last inspection, why are "warnings" being given, and are they given when life safety issues are involved? I would want answers NOW.
Reader70
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