Posted By Simon Walsh. Got an issue which I would like some advice upon. I have a client who provides short term hostel type accommodation to homeless people. Some of the residents will insist on smoking in their single occupancy bedrooms. Despite request for them not to, etc. The hostel is not classed as providing any form of care so cannot legally provide smoking bedrooms as defined by Exemption from Smoking Regs and not being a care institution as defined by the Care Act. However, we are where we are and despite the hostels best efforts smoking in bedrooms continues. As this hostel is new build the fire officer quite rightly wants a fire evacuation procedure and risk assessment. No problem with that. The one area which is causing a problem is the fire officer wants to know at what level we intend to set the smoke detection in the bedrooms so it triggers a 'first stage' fire alarm to allow for investigation of the cause, pending a double incident full activation of the alarm. The alarm installation company are struggling to find definitive guidance. I cannot find any guidance on the level of sensitivity of a smoke detector to recognise a fire, and not trigger through sensible levels of tobacco smoke. Any advice?

Posted By Stuff4blokes Why not swap the detectors for rate of rise or set temp?

Posted By Bob Youel The room is a persons home for the period that the person is using the room as per a 'normal' hotel. Therefore evaluate what 'normal' hotels do with regards to smoking and do the same As the hotel sets the rules they know what to do if an occupant does not want to adhere to those rules Having worked in the sector myself all I can say is; 'we cannot have our cake and eat it' e.g if its not a care home its not a care home!