Smells in the hallways

After years of wondering, I’ve finally figured something out. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has noticed that when stepping into the hallway, occasionally there is a “certain” smell lingering there. The smell is unmistakable to anyone who has lived in Vancouver long enough, but there’s no visible source in the hallway.

I think what happens is that the smoke rises to the roof, where it’s sucked in by the make-up air unit, and then pumped throughout the building. Voila! A free high for everyone. I feel so grateful!

On the topic of smells caused by smoking, I heard it said recently that someone claimed that people on lower floors wouldn’t smell someone smoking on an upper floor. While it’s true that smoke rises, smells diffuse through the air in all directions independent of the smoke (and gravity). Something to keep in mind.

Of course, the issue of smoke and smells is addressed in minutes and notices several times a year. However, I’m guessing it’s usually only neighbours immediately adjacent to the source of the problem who complain, and I’m guessing that sometimes others just shrug their shoulders and ask, “What’s the big deal?” Now it’s clear to me that one person can be responsible for pumping unwelcome smells throughout the building, making the issue everyone’s problem.

Posted on November 19, 2011 at 02:34 by CraigH · Permalink
In: Neighbourliness · Tagged with: , , ,