We’ve still more to learn about building fire safety

Upon learning of the devastating fire at The Station nightclub on Feb. 20, 2003, with the subsequent loss of 100 innocent lives, my wife and I visited the smoldering site the next day, took photos and hung a bouquet of flowers on the surrounding fence. It was not until days later that I learned that a former boss of mine lost his daughter at this horrible incident.

Prior to the fire, as a business consultant I was involved in the study of the building and fire codes in the U.S. for my clients in the pre-cast concrete industry. I was also a member of the FSCAC- Fire Safe Construction Advisory Council of the Northeast. It then seemed only fitting that I attend all the sessions of the R.I. House Oversight Commission to study the state fire codes that were convened after the fire. There were nine sessions, of which I attended all and obtained video copies of the proceedings of each secession. Many amendments were submitted by professionals in code enforcement and others. I submitted five, of which one is to make public announcements of all emergency exits in places of public assemblies.

The methods used can be a scripted or recorded public announcement of all emergency exits similar in how our airports inform us not to leave our bags unattended. Also, handouts can have the escape paths of egress and the location of emergency exits printed on their programs. Video clips can be shown prior to an event with the same information, or develop an app for your smart phone detailing all the life safety features that the venue you are attending provides.

This is a nationwide concern, as noted recently at the Harvest Festival in Las Vegas where 56 concertgoers were slaughtered by a derange gunman. In my followup of this incident, I have found there were at least four exits, maybe more, but most attendees were not aware of the secondary emergency exits. Some are now preparing to sue whoever they find at fault for not informing their guests. I have suggested through both interviews and a published letter in the Las Vegas Sun that Nevada needs to bring its fire code regulations up to the standards of our fire codes, the safest in the nation. Many other states do not provide this life safety regulation and need to amend their codes now.

There is still much to be done in Rhode Island regarding code enforcement, as many public assembly venues still do not provide their guests with the required announcements. Even some of our largest venues have not instituted this practice. Now, 15 years later, we have been very fortunate to have avoided the devastating effects of large-scale fire incidents with the loss of multiple lives. This is due in part to the successful code changes created 15 years ago and the dedicated work of all our first responders.

Lessons learned from The Station fire were many.

First, situational awareness with public announcements of emergency exits.

Second, clear and unobstructed paths of egress and emergency exit doors that open from the inside and swing outward.

Third, sprinklers mandated in all public assembly venues of 100 or more.

Fourth, fire-rated building components and accessories, especially near performance stages.

Fifth, a regular pattern of inspection for code deficiencies and strong code enforcement.

Still, the urgent need to be priorinformed has changed dramatically over the past few years, as fire is not the only need to learn the locations of all emergency exits. The increased urgency can come from gunfire from a deviant behavioral perpetrator, toxic gas release, or the possibility of a planned terrorist attack.

You need to be vigilant and informed for a higher level of life safety for yourselves, your family, and friends from any pending hazardous incident that requires fast and safe evacuation. Sweeney is the president of RES Associates in Warwick.