Fire Alarm turned off at local business?

[weaverk65]

I was at the Tuscany Day Spa at Sumter Landing this morning ... a long awaited visit! I was brought via elevator to the 2nd floor for the services when I arrived.

The setting was very serene, calming music, fragrances, etc., and my treatment was wonderful, but when I left the ladies locker room and headed back to the elevator to leave, I was re-directed by one of the employees down the stairs on the outside of the bldg in the back.

Fire truck outside, Firemen throughout ... spa employees apologizing for the inconvenience. At first I thought wow, what good timing that I was able to finish my treatment, but when I mentioned that I had not heard any alarms, I was told by an employee that the sound is turned off for the 2nd floor - that it was actually very loud on floor 1.

The more I thought about this, the more upset I became since I was basically on my own in the sauna and locker room for a while after my treatment was done.

Anyone else see a problem with this?

[rubicon]

Beside Toscany's customers neitht eh fire dept nor the insurance company are going to be too keene about that information

[Parker]

Worth a mention to the fire department. We've all heard and read the horrible headlines of those caught in fires unnecessarily. You don't want to be the one thinking 'If only I'd said something'. If everything is in fact okay, then you did nothing wrong. Win, win.

[Schaumburger]

Worth a mention to the fire department. We've all heard and read the horrible headlines of those caught in fires unnecessarily. You don't want to be the one thinking 'If only I'd said something'. If everything is in fact okay, then you did nothing wrong. Win, win.


I agree with Parker about contacting the fire department, and I would also send an e-mail/letter to the owner of Tuscany. I have been to Tuscany a few times while visiting TV, and I plan on going back to Tuscany during my upcoming visit to TV, and this kind of news is not welcome to me. If you do decide to contact the fire department and/or the owner of Tuscany, please post on TOTV what answer(s) you receive.

[robertj1954]

It is a violation of the state fire code to turn off any part of a fire alarm inside a commercial business. The law requires an annual inspection of the fire alarm. The fire inspector would not be happy with the business. It is also a severe liability to the business to allow such gross negligence.

[graciegirl]

Here is my view. Was it a fire alarm or were they there for something else like illness or personal injury??????.Fire trucks come for medical reasons only here as well as fire.

People who don't know are constantly telling me things that are not correct around these parts.

We do RUMORS here better than any place I have EVER lived.

I could be wrong. I often am.

[missypie]

Once again, good point Grace.

[bimmertl]

The reason the fire dept was there is not relevant. Most likely the alarm would have gone off prior to the fire department even arriving.

The fire alarm in the building was going off and wasn't able to be heard on the second floor since it was shut off. It could have gone off accidentally and been a false alarm. The point is, if it was a real emergency, those on the second floor may not have been aware of the emergency. Every second counts in such an emergency, especially for senior citizens.

[Golfingnut]

Here is my view. Was it a fire alarm or were they there for something else like illness or personal injury??????.Fire trucks come for medical reasons only here as well as fire.

People who don't know are constantly telling me things that are not correct around these parts.

We do RUMORS here better than any place I have EVER lived.

I could be wrong. I often am.

Ya got to admit, it is easier to complain than look for the reason why.

[rubicon]

Perhaps i am wrong but the OP never said anything about a fire and frankly only said that a fire truck and fire employees at the Spa and when she asked if an alarm went off the spa employee alerted her to the fact that it was turned off which in turn surprised the OP. some of you are reading too much into this thread. I said on post two neither the fired dept/inspectorn nor the insurance company would be please. Cut the OP some slack

[BettyCrocked]

Perhaps i am wrong but the OP never said anything about a fire and frankly only said that a fire truck and fire employees at the Spa and when she asked if an alarm went off the spa employee alerted her to the fact that it was turned off which in turn surprised the OP. some of you are reading too much into this thread. I said on post two neither the fired dept/inspectorn nor the insurance company would be please. Cut the OP some slack

Ditto. Doesn't make a hill of beans why they were called. They are breaking the law and putting people in danger.

[graciegirl]

I misunderstood completely. I didn't get that ANYONE heard an alarm. I was going by the fact that the elevator didn't work and that the people on the second floor were asked to use the fire escape which could have happened for other reasons, such as a break in the electricity or someone collapsed in the elevator.

If the fire alarm was going off on the first floor and I was told it was turned off on the second, I wouldn't post here, I would bring it to the attention of the proper authorities. The OP was outside? It wasn't clear to me that she HEARD the fire alarm.

[57ChevyFI]

It is my understanding that ONE ALARM sounding should activate all alarms in the building. I would think that is a violation with the fire code. They may be loud and noisy when they go off when nobody is really in need of an emergency-but would you want to be that ONE person trapped upstairs with no notification of an emergency downstairs? I wouldn't and I think it should be addressed with the fire department and the owner- how else would you know that the owner addressed the problem? Better to be safe for all of us who support our local stores!

[DougB]

Ok, I know I am going to upset a few, but I do not see this as a problem. It is not like the OP was in a 20 story building and no way to notify her to evacuate. Apparently They had a plan in place to notify customers. They were personally there to escort the OP out. My work place has fire alarms throughout the building and occasionally our system goes out, but we have a plan with walkie talkies and contacts through out the building to notify everyone in case of emergency. I would hope this business knowing their alarm was out on the second floor also had a plan. Apparently, they did.

P.S. Maybe the fire dept was made aware earlier. We always call them if ours goes out.

[spk7951]

Ok, I know I am going to upset a few, but I do not see this as a problem. It is not like the OP was in a 20 story building and no way to notify her to evacuate. Apparently They had a plan in place to notify customers. They were personally there to escort the OP out. My work place has fire alarms throughout the building and occasionally our system goes out, but we have a plan with walkie talkies and contacts through out the building to notify everyone in case of emergency. I would hope this business knowing their alarm was out on the second floor also had a plan. Apparently, they did.

P.S. Maybe the fire dept was made aware earlier. We always call them if ours goes out.


Well it is a problem. Whether it is a 20 story or 2 story the alarms are meant as an immediate notification of a possible emergency and a need to evacuate. Many companies have evacuation monitors whose responsibility is to make sure everyone gets out of the building, in an emergency, AFTER an audible alarm has been sounded.

[KathieI]

Ok, I know I am going to upset a few, but I do not see this as a problem. It is not like the OP was in a 20 story building and no way to notify her to evacuate. Apparently They had a plan in place to notify customers. They were personally there to escort the OP out. My work place has fire alarms throughout the building and occasionally our system goes out, but we have a plan with walkie talkies and contacts through out the building to notify everyone in case of emergency. I would hope this business knowing their alarm was out on the second floor also had a plan. Apparently, they did.

P.S. Maybe the fire dept was made aware earlier. We always call them if ours goes out.

Very logical post. Certainly didn't upset me,,, what does upset me is the jump to conclusion attitudes on this thread. For goodness sake,,, why not just talk to the manager,,, he's a very nice guy, his name is Michael.. Ask him why and if you don't get a satisfactory answer, then call the fire dept. But I think Michael will give you a very satisfactory answer.

I agree with Doug,,, obviously they had a plan in place as we did in our businesses, to notify everyone in case of emergency. I'd give them A+ for getting it done according to their plan.

[OnTrack]

Ya got to admit, it is easier to complain than look for the reason why.

The OP stated that an employee told her, that the alarms were very loud on the first floor...but silent on the second floor.

Does it really matter....why they went off? :oops:


I would be letting the Fire Marshall know about it, before someone gets hurt.

.

[OnTrack]

Well it is a problem. Whether it is a 20 story or 2 story the alarms are meant as an immediate notification of a possible emergency and a need to evacuate. Many companies have evacuation monitors whose responsibility is to make sure everyone gets out of the building, in an emergency, AFTER an audible alarm has been sounded.

You are exactly right...it IS a problem. :thumbup:

I am surprised, that anyone would make excuses for the business.

Or maybe I'm not. :rolleyes:

.

[blueash]

I don't know if the OP was clear, but if the words in the post are accurate I don't see what the conjecture might be. Apparently a loud alarm occurred on the first floor. This alarm went off at least several minutes before the OP left the locker room on her own as the fire trucks had already arrived. She never heard the alarms. Not only did she not hear an alarm but she was advised they were apparently deliberately turned off. No one came to advise her that there was an event. When she independently went to take the elevators someone redirected her to the stairs. This suggests that for emergency purposes the elevator was shut down. If the spa's emergency plan is to wait for people to come to the elevator then send them down the stairs that could leave people elsewhere on the second floor unaware of a fire. No idea what the Florida Fire Prevention Code may require if anything for this particular business. But the fire marshal will know.

[gingersnap]

I was also @ Tuscany Spa, on the second floor during the "fire alarm". I came out of the ladies room, heading for the elevator when I was approached by an employee saying that I could not use the elevator because it was "beeping" and she was unsure why. I heard it beeping, but that was the only thing I did hear at that time. I was then escorted out the back upper level door onto the back porch. As soon as I went out the door, I heard the loud, shrill sound of a fire alarm going off. I thought that the elevator alarm was going off way ahead of the fire alarm ,but it never entered my mind that the alarm was shut off upstairs. I was escorted all the way down the steps and then into the front door to pay for my service. The girls at the counter were making phone calls to the owner, the fire dept had already been alerted. They were making their plan to get the building evacuated. There was a lady upstairs with a broken foot that they were concerned about. By the time I walked out the front door to leave, the fire dept was already there. Great response time...it was certainly less than 10 min.

[graciegirl]

The reason the fire dept was there is not relevant. Most likely the alarm would have gone off prior to the fire department even arriving.

The fire alarm in the building was going off and wasn't able to be heard on the second floor since it was shut off. It could have gone off accidentally and been a false alarm. The point is, if it was a real emergency, those on the second floor may not have been aware of the emergency. Every second counts in such an emergency, especially for senior citizens.

The firetruck comes for ALL emergencies was my point, NOT just for fires. It was first to respond in our neighborhood to a 911 call for illness.

It is a part of the EMS, first responders. I have never heard a fire alarm anywhere in any business in TV. I didn't know the Tuscany Spa had a second floor.

I think the SIMPLE answer is that the OP should call the fire department and tell them that she was told that the alarm system is NOT working on the second floor and that she was told it was turned off.

And then anyone who goes there tell the manager shame on you and see what he/she says.

[weaverk65]

The Villages Public Safety Dept and Fire inspector are investigating.

The fire truck was NOT there for a medical emergency. Fire dept personnel was in full fire gear, and we could not re-enter the bldg (to pay) until we got a clearance from them.

[rubicon]

Please with all the noise on this thread don't let go of the basic offense. Fire alarms placed at strategic points are done so for specific reasons. The safety inspection passed was based on the satisifaction that ample audio alarm were in place that would immediately detect the presence of smoke/fire/heat. the insuranc company also insured this building for the same reason. By the bldg owners action of disabling that second floor alarm system the bldg owner was in violation of the safety rules and the contract they signed with their insurer. Most importantly if a fire had ensued and if customers were not alerted because the alarm was disabled then an injury or death that occurred would take on at minimum gross negligence which would make the bldg owner liable for punitive damages.

[asianthree]

when our fire alams go off at work they continue to sound and strobe untill the all clear is given...the fire is out...and i don't care where you are you can hear them..

[Schaumburger]

At my office we have about 4 practice fire drills a year. The fire alarms are very loud in my office. My job is to check the ladies room to make sure no one is in there and to tell them to get out. All employees have to meet at a designated spot in our office parking lot, and we are timed to see how fast we evacuate the office. If an employee refuses to leave during a fire drill, that person and their supervisor will hear about it from the corporate manager of safety.

[Brian b.]

....

[memason]

From what i have heard they where doing a fire sprinkler test and the guys doing it where resetting the fire alarm so fast that it did not have time to set off the whole building. I do not know why the fire department was called out they should have put the system in test to stop them from calling.

and just so you know you can use the elevator's when the fire alarms are going off untill one of the smoke detectors infrount of the elevator ( lets say the smoke detector infrount of the elevator on the 2nd floor go off the elevator will go down to the 1st floor)

But good job on starting a rumor about somthing you know nothing about. Maybe you should be more mad that they put you on the schedule same time they where going to have there sprinkler system tested.

Not to be contrary, but when you start a response like above, why would we think yours is anything other than another rumor ???

Just asking....

[Brian b.]

....

[marianne237]

Hey folks, this is not worth fighting about. An incident happened, whatever it was, and was taken care of.

[gustavo]

Hey folks, this is not worth fighting about. An incident happened, whatever it was, and was taken care of.

It is worth it, that's why I read this stuff. Love the holier than thou dynamic from both ends of the spectrum coming together to educate each other. :clap2:

[BobnBev]

It is worth it, that's why I read this stuff. Love the holier than thou dynamic from both ends of the spectrum coming together to educate each other. :clap2:

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[CFrance]

From what i have heard they where doing a fire sprinkler test and the guys doing it where resetting the fire alarm so fast that it did not have time to set off the whole building. I do not know why the fire department was called out they should have put the system in test to stop them from calling.

and just so you know you can use the elevator's when the fire alarms are going off untill one of the smoke detectors infrount of the elevator ( lets say the smoke detector infrount of the elevator on the 2nd floor go off the elevator will go down to the 1st floor)

But good job on starting a rumor about somthing you know nothing about. Maybe you should be more mad that they put you on the schedule same time they where going to have there sprinkler system tested.

Can you substantiate what you just said? Because I did a google search for it and only came up with the OP's post--nothing about the sprinkler testing. How do you know for sure it was just the sprinklers being tested? Is there some record you looked at?

Despite the sarcasm of the last paragraph aimed at the OP (not appreciated), your information sounds like hearsay.

[Brian b.]

....

[rubicon]

Don't you just love the holier than thou's who are holier than those who are holier than thou? Geeeezzzzz what a country

[BobnBev]

Las Vegas, huh? I 'd bet the neighbors didn't like that smoke.

:22yikes::swear::swear:

[graciegirl]

Well i'm sure the fact that someone started a blog about it might deter someone from going to a place if something as bad as a fire where to happen they might not feel safe but places like this have a sprinkler system for a reason it will put out a fire very fast but it is still a good idea to get out of the building if something like this happens..


They have even started to put sprinkler systems in homes because they work so well here is a link to a video on youtube of a Fire Sprinkler Live Burn Demonstration by Las Vegas Fire Department

Home Fire Sprinkler Live Burn Demonstration by Las Vegas Fire Department - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=507gj_JWWSs)




And my last post are just me saying what i have heard and the last part was just me trying to be funny there was no sarcasm intended but i can see how you think that...But the fact is you can hurt a place like this by starting rumors when i'm sure everything was taken care of... what i heard can be a rumor to, that is why i put from what i heard. If you really want to know what happened there you should call and ask them or the thread will just keep going on...

When people drop from the blue into a discussion, I wonder what blue?


I also have read this whole thread and didn't see anyone trying to be holier than thou.


All I can see is that people are trying to get to the truth of the situation.

Or protesting too much. I am a card carrying mom and I know "protesting too much.".

[OnTrack]

Well i'm sure the fact that someone started a blog about it might deter someone from going to a place if something as bad as a fire where to happen they might not feel safe but places like this have a sprinkler system for a reason it will put out a fire very fast but it is still a good idea to get out of the building if something like this happens..


They have even started to put sprinkler systems in homes because they work so well here is a link to a video on youtube of a Fire Sprinkler Live Burn Demonstration by Las Vegas Fire Department

Home Fire Sprinkler Live Burn Demonstration by Las Vegas Fire Department - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=507gj_JWWSs)


And my last post are just me saying what i have heard and the last part was just me trying to be funny there was no sarcasm intended but i can see how you think that...But the fact is you can hurt a place like this by starting rumors when i'm sure everything was taken care of... what i heard can be a rumor to, that is why i put from what i heard. If you really want to know what happened there you should call and ask them or the thread will just keep going on...

Speaking of "putting fires out," it seems to me that you're working very hard at trying to discredit the OP.

To just state, "....I'm sure everything was taken care of.".....without any substantiation, makes me think the OP was dead on in her observation of her experience.

Hopefully, the business is doing everything possible to correct the situation.

.

[Patty55]

and just so you know you can use the elevator's when the fire alarms are going off untill one of the smoke detectors infrount of the elevator ( lets say the smoke detector infrount of the elevator on the 2nd floor go off the elevator will go down to the 1st floor)

Just so you know, you should never take the elevator if there is even a chance of a fire. :22yikes:

[CFrance]

Just so you know, you should never take the elevator if there is even a chance of a fire. :22yikes:

I agree. Elevators are iffy even under normal circumstances. Who's to say they would really return to the first floor if the smoke alarm above them were beeping?

Every hotel I've ever been in says not to take the elevator if a fire alarm is going off.

[OnTrack]

I agree. Elevators are iffy even under normal circumstances.

I agree.

They definitely have their ups and downs.



:D



.

[CFrance]

I agree.

They definitely have their ups and downs.



:D



.

:laugh:

[HMLRHT1]

FYI, my wife was there that same day and the same time having a pedicure on the 2nd floor. She has a broken foot and had to use the elevator. She sat right next to the elevator and the alarm the OP was talking about was the elevator alarm and not the fire alarm. My wife said the elevator alarm was very loud but it was for the elevator. The person who was working on her as well as the owner (manager?) told her the alarm on the elevator goes off periodically and when it does it trips an automatic call to the The Villages Public Safety and after they check it out they have to contact the elevator company to shut off the alarm. There was no fire alarm tripped. She talked with them because when the elevator alarm tripped and the Public Safety dept. showed up they wanted everyone out of the building. But when they found out my wife had a broken foot and had to use the elevator to leave, rather than carry her down the stairs they felt it wasn't that urgent because it was just the elevator alarm. You can all make your own decisions on this info but I would talk to Tuscony Health Spa first before yelling FIRE

[HMLRHT1]

And if anyone questions why would a women with a broken foot have a pedicure then you will have to ask my wife. Her toes on both feet were exposed so she wanted them done. I just live with her, I don't understand her ;)

[CFrance]

And if anyone questions why would a women with a broken foot have a pedicure then you will have to ask my wife. Her toes on both feet were exposed so she wanted them done. I just live with her, I don't understand her ;)

Well, I am very glad she got out of there safely and with colorful toes to boot (pun intended):BigApplause:

[Schaumburger]

And if anyone questions why would a women with a broken foot have a pedicure then you will have to ask my wife. Her toes on both feet were exposed so she wanted them done. I just live with her, I don't understand her ;)

LOL about your wife wanting a pedicure even though her foot is broken. I am getting a pedicure and massage on Monday at Tuscany. They do a great job. This is my treat to myself while visiting TV. Hope the elevator alarm stays quiet during my visit.

[Roaddog53]

This is an interesting thread to read. Many good points about the laws and procedures of fire alarms. What I don't understand though is why so many posts about everyone's thoughts on what should have been done, what happened , or conjecture. Just thinking that why all along the OP or someone criticizing the process hasnt CALLED the owner or the fire department and get the actual facts what did happen and finalize this. Usually there is a good follow up done including if and why they were off and what truly occurred. Was it a test, an alarm, and were the alarms turned off. I would hope the owner would not lie about what happened, but if so, I doubt the fire department would lie. Should be public record?
What I did find odd though, is that no one on the second floor could here the alarms. i know if the second floor was turned off for what ever reason, it may be more "quiet"! But alarms are pretty loud. That must be one heck of a sound proof system! IMHO lol

[CFrance]

This is an interesting thread to read. Many good points about the laws and procedures of fire alarms. What I don't understand though is why so many posts about everyone's thoughts on what should have been done, what happened , or conjecture. Just thinking that why all along the OP or someone criticizing the process hasnt CALLED the owner or the fire department and get the actual facts what did happen and finalize this. Usually there is a good follow up done including if and why they were off and what truly occurred. Was it a test, an alarm, and were the alarms turned off. I would hope the owner would not lie about what happened, but if so, I doubt the fire department would lie. Should be public record?
What I did find odd though, is that no one on the second floor could here the alarms. i know if the second floor was turned off for what ever reason, it may be more "quiet"! But alarms are pretty loud. That must be one heck of a sound proof system! IMHO lol

I believe there actually is a follow-up being done by contact with the fire department, and the facts will be reported as soon as they are received.

[weaverk65]

I did hear back from the Public Safety Dept about the fire alarm at Tuscany Day Spa on Sat., 5/11.

Two fire alarms were triggered at the spa that day due to a faulty smoke detector. The first one was at about 6 am and the 2nd around the 10 am timeframe. The Fire Dept responded to both of them.

When the fire alarm is sounded, both floors should hear it and there should be very visible strobe lighting. The elevator automatically returns to the first floor, locks from use, and a elevator alarm sounds.

If I understood the explanation correctly, the reason the alarm didn't sound on the 2nd floor when we were there (for the 2nd alarm) is because it was in the "resetting" process. The landlord and Public Safety Dept have investigated and confirmed all is working ok.

One thing the Public Safety Dept was going to do is review with the Staff how they should know the whereabouts of each of their clients - before exiting the bldg themselves.

So, that is it. Guess I'll have to trust what the Public Safety Dept says, even though I still don't quite understand it totally about the alarm being in reset mode 4 hours after the first alarm.

[Mack184]

The OP stated that an employee told her, that the alarms were very loud on the first floor...but silent on the second floor.

Does it really matter....why they went off? :oops:




.
Actually it might. For a number of years I worked in a building that was being rehabbed. It was an old bank building of many stories and the building owners were building in office suites to suit the new tenants. Over the years time after time after time our fire alarms went off when some electrician or other worker crossed a wire while installing something. Since we were the tallest building in town the FD would roll the biggest engines and ladder trucks and time after time it was unneeded because there was no fire. In fact we got to the point that whenever the thing went off we just kept working because we knew there was no fire. Just another worker with 5 thumbs.

If I was TRULY concerned about what happened I would first contact the manager and discuss my concerns..not come here to TOTV to gripe. Now, no matter what the actual answer was the business has gotten a smear that they may very well have NOT deserved. Maybe they do deserve it..BUT..nobody knows since the OP decided that the best answer to her question will come from other people who know nothing about it here on TOTV and not from having a personal talk with the person in charge.

[weaverk65]

The OP did not "gripe", contacted the appropriate resources to investigate, and posted the results of their findings on the forum. As you'll notice, there were 2 other individuals who had similar experiences on the same day. There WAS a problem, it was identified, and fixed.

BTW, TOTV is supposed to be an open forum ... last time I checked the dictionary, a forum was a "discussion of questions of public interest."

I can't get over how critical posters have been on this thread considering your own safety could have been jeopardized. I felt as though mine was, it definitely was that day. Had there been an actual fire at this business that morning around 10am, lives would have been in jeopardy - of those who were on the 2nd floor of the bldg.

[CFrance]

The OP did not "gripe", contacted the appropriate resources to investigate, and posted the results of their findings on the forum. As you'll notice, there were 2 other individuals who had similar experiences on the same day. There WAS a problem, it was identified, and fixed.

BTW, TOTV is supposed to be an open forum ... last time I checked the dictionary, a forum was a "discussion of questions of public interest."

I can't get over how critical posters have been on this thread considering your own safety could have been jeopardized. I felt as though mine was, it definitely was that day. Had there been an actual fire at this business that morning around 10am, lives would have been in jeopardy - of those who were on the 2nd floor of the bldg.

I agree with you on all points. There is/was reason to be concerned, and you took appropriate steps afterward. Even if there was no gripe, this forum is a place to air grievances and opinions as well as to share information.

The criticisms seem unwarranted. It's not like you were leaving dog poop on the sidewalk...