The scale
- Level
- 0
- Description
- No noticeable odor
- Typical response
- None; note in file if resident reported one
- Level
- 1
- Description
- Faint; noticed only when looking for it
- Typical response
- Clean, air out, recheck
- Level
- 2
- Description
- Noticeable on entry but not strong
- Typical response
- Find and remove the source, then clean
- Level
- 3
- Description
- Clear and persistent in the room
- Typical response
- Inspect for hidden sources; consider outside help
- Level
- 4
- Description
- Strong; affects nearby spaces or health comfort
- Typical response
- Escalate to the manager; isolate the area and bring in qualified help
Choosing the level
- IfYou can only smell it with the door closed and after a minuteRate 1 and note the conditions.
- IfIt hits you at the door and then fadesRate 2, and check whether it fades because you adapt.
- IfIt stays strong in the room and in adjacent spacesRate 3 or 4 and begin a file.
- IfTwo staff rate it differentlyRecord both, and have a third person smell it fresh.
Why nose fatigue matters
People adapt to smells within minutes. A technician who has spent half an hour in a unit may rate the odor lower than the first person to open the door. For that reason, the first impression at the door deserves a note before anything else, and a fresh person should do the recheck whenever possible.
Calibration helps. Once or twice a year, a few staff can walk through units at different levels together and discuss their ratings. The goal is not agreement on every case, but a shared sense of what a two means compared with a three.
Use the scale to describe, not to blame. A high rating after a turn does not mean someone failed. It means the source was harder to find, and the file should show what was tried next.
Pair the scale with a short written note describing the smell in plain words, such as sour, musty or sweet. The number says how strong it is, while the words hint at what kind of source to look for first.
Questions to ask after rating
- Is the strength the same in every room, or concentrated in one place?
- Does it change when the air handler runs?
- Does it change with time of day or weather?
- Is it present in adjacent units or the corridor?
Common questions
Is a rating of four always an emergency?
Not always, but it deserves manager attention. A level four means the odor is strong or spreading, so the situation should be reviewed promptly and the right help identified.
Can residents use the scale?
It is written for staff, but some communities adapt it into a simple form so that residents can describe strength in similar terms when they report a problem.
General information for Centennial, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.