Friday, April 5, 2013

Six Ways to Avoid Nightclub Fires


According to a report in USA Today, eight people were charged Wednesday in connection with the Jan. 27, 2013, nightclub fire in southern Brazil. The fire killed 241 people and was the third deadliest nightclub fire to date. Officials report that the fire began when a band performing at the club lit a flare that ignited flammable soundproofing foam on the ceiling.

NFPA created strict requirements for high-occupancy buildings in an attempt to prevent similar events after a Rhode Island nightclub fire in 2003, including mandating that nightclubs have fire extinguishers, fire prevention systems like sprinklers and fire escape routes.

But what can individuals do to avoid getting caught in a nightclub fire? The Seattle Fire Department Fire Prevention Division offers six tips for protecting yourself from nightclub fires:


1)    Before entering the building, examine it carefully and make sure the main entrance opens outward and is wide enough to allow easy exit.
2)    Locate all exits from the building quickly after entering.
3)    If exits appear to be blocked or difficult to reach, report the violation to management.
4)    If you feel unsafe at any time while at the club, whether from overcrowding, fire sources such as pyrotechnics or a lack of fire safety equipment, leave the premises or ask management about the club’s fire safety system.
5)    If an alarm sounds or you see any sign of a fire, leave immediately in a calm manner, using the closest exit.
6)    After you exit the club, stay out and move away from the building to give others room to safely exit.

Find more information from NFPA here