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.