Tips to keep in mind when visiting nightclubs or similar venues
February 15, 2013 – The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is marking the 10th anniversary of The Station nightclub fire that occurred in Rhode Island with a plea to the public to be cautious and keep safety in mind when visiting nightclubs or similar venues. The Station fire occurred on February 20, 2003 and killed 100 people.
NFPA recently updated and expanded its resource page on assembly and nightclub fires in light of a January fire at the Kiss nightclub in Santa Maria, Brazil that killed 238 people. The Kiss nightclub fire is ranked third on NFPA’s list of the deadliest nightclub fires in the world; The Station is ranked tenth.
“When selecting or settling into an entertainment venue like a nightclub, sports arena or restaurant for an evening of enjoyment, how to get out if there in an emergency is probably not one of the first things on your mind, but it should be,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice president of Communications. “Fire drills are or should be common practice for businesses and schools, along with family home escape plans, so it’s only natural for this level of awareness to be carried over to other places, even if you only plan on being there for a short time.”
For those visiting events in nightclubs or other places of assembly, there are basic tips to keep in mind when entering a potentially unsafe gathering place.
Before you enter:
- Take a good look.
- Have a communication plan
- Plan a meeting place
When you enter:
- Locate exits immediately
- Check for clear exit paths
- Look for smoke alarms and fire sprinklers
- Do you feel safe?
During an emergency:
- React immediately
- Get out, stay out!
Full descriptions of these steps, along with videos, reports and further analysis, can be found at NFPA’s website.
About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
NFPA is a worldwide leader in fire, electrical, building, and life safety. The mission of the international nonprofit organization founded in 1896 is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. NFPA develops more than 300 codes and standards to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other hazards. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed at no cost at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.
Subscribe to NFPA RSS News feeds
Contact: Lorraine Carli, Public Affairs Office: +1 617 984-7275