Personally, I would never run hoses on the outside of a building higher than 2-maybe 3 stories high if the building is along a sidewalk. Way too much liability. Years back, I believe in the 80's, there was a fellow running the hoses up 10 stories (???). Even had a photo of it. Well, unfortunately, the vacuum hose came apart and fell either killing the person below, or extremely hurting the individual. (don't remember which) This lead to a giant law suit (1-800-call-sam!) and that was the end of the carpet cleaner as well.
Wonder if Stockwell, or, Pemberton remembers this accident?
Ed Valentine
cross-american.com
I don't remember that one, but I could understand how it could happen. I'm not sure vacuum hose could kill someone, though a well aimed quick connect might do the trick if a solution hose came apart.
One issue with our industry stories is that most are spread by trainers. One such trainer (who will be left unnamed) would tell stories about people I knew personally, and when I fact checked I found them to either be complete fabrications or very highly "enhanced" versions of the truth. He probably didn't fabricate them himself (I'm being generous here), but I think he heard them from students...who heard them from trainers...who heard them from students.... it goes on and one.
First hand stories that I know include:
1. One damaged eardrum and multiple deaths of dogs, cats, and one hamster from unattended vacuum hoses. I have heard of a child's death, but never had that one verified.
2. Truck mount fires and explosions. Those were the fun adventures of "yesteryear", and joyfully spread by Bane Clene of course.
3. Three houses burned down, with one death. Two by malfunctioning dry cleaning equipment and one by a thermal fogger used improperly.
4. Too many deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning to number.
