Minimising tobacco smoke

This is an increasing problem, because of the increasing risk of litigation, tightening legal requirements and the increasing expectations of non-smoking patrons. The only way to eliminate the litigation risk is to ban smoking. This is generally not practical in a hotel, hence it is important to minimise the smoke concentration and to provide 'no smoking' areas as appropriate.
The minimum standard of ventilation and air cleaning should be compliance with AS1668.2. You are legally required to comply with this standard. Many hotels still do not meet these requirements. If you think your hotel is too smoky, contact Clive Blanchard for advice.

Smoking exemptions

If you want to allow smoking in a room where dining occurs, you need an exemption unless you have another smoke free dining room. To gain an exemption there are a number of conditions, including ventilation requirements to ensure the diners get smoke free air. Contact Clive Blanchard, Consulting Mechanical Engineer for advice on the ventilation requirements. Contact the Department of Human Services for other requirements.

Air cleaners

Air cleaners can be used to improve the quality of air in existing hotels. However the three most common reasons for dissatisfaction with air cleaners are:

• Insufficient outside air introduced.
• Insufficient number of cleaners used. (rules of thumb like 8 or 10 air changes an hour are insufficient to give satisfaction)
• The cleaner is not maintained often enough.