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Transcript of Welcome! A trade association wholly supported by members. .
Welcome!
A trade association wholly supported by members.
www.nfsa.org
National Fire Sprinkler Assn
Rhode Island Nightclub Tragedy “Lessons Learned”
Presented by: Dominick G. Kass CFPS
Northeast Regional Manager© Copyright NFSA 2003
National Fire Sprinkler Association National Fire Sprinkler Association (The “(The “NFSA”NFSA”))•Construction Trade AssociationConstruction Trade Association
–Engineering ServicesEngineering Services
–Training and EducationTraining and Education
–Labor RelationsLabor Relations
–Promoting the concept of sprinkler system installationPromoting the concept of sprinkler system installation
•ManufacturersManufacturers
•SuppliersSuppliers
•ContractorsContractors
•Professional (Architects, Engineers)Professional (Architects, Engineers)
•Subscribers (Code Officials, Insurance)Subscribers (Code Officials, Insurance)
What We’ll Look At
What doesn’t (or didn’t) work
Aspects of the “Station Fire”
What does work
What Didn’t Work
The Tragedy
RI Nightclub Fire “The Station” 20 Feb 03
To date, 100 people have perishedPyrotechnics display at a rock concert
Code changesDeadliest fire in Rhode Island's historyNation's worst nightclub fire in 25 yrs.
The Station Nightclub
Constructed in 1950.
An addition was built in 1975.
Town records indicate 4,484 ft2 of rentable space
Total of 6,278 ft2
Value was assessed at $268,400.
The Station Nightclub
Total of four exits;Main entrance facing North to the street1 Northwest portion by the bar 1 located exiting the kitchen1 located Northeast by the Stage.
The Station Nightclub
“Total of four exits”Human nature:
Attempt egress at original entry point,
Main entrance facing North to the street:
handled 80% to 90% of occupants attempting to exit.
Contributing Factors
Unfamiliar with other exits and paths
Darkness
No suppression, automatic or manual
Delayed alert to occupants
These are all typical and identifiable factors
“The Station” Staff
Reported:
Stage exit was blocked by staff;
“for band members only”.
Bar exit used by only a few.
“Great White” Performing at the Station Nightclub
Pyrotechnics were running at the upper leftPyrotechnics were running at the upper left
Simulation and Test Conducted
NFSA member and N.E. R.M. conducted a simulation of the nightclub using similar foam to show the effectiveness of fire sprinklers in an A-2 Occupancy.
3-inch thick uncovered polyether (pure polypropylene oxidepolyol) foam cushions having a density of 1 to 1.25 pounds per cubic foot measuring 36 by 40 inches.
R.I. Fire Simulation
NIST Report
Fire Model
The StationThe Station
Without Sprinklers
Five Foot Level
Without Sprinklers
With Sprinklers
Five Foot Level
With Sprinklers
Unfortunately, History Repeats Itself:
Some of the deadliest U.S. fires in clubs and dance halls:
-491 dead, Cocoanut Grove club, Boston, Nov. 28, 1942. Cause unknown.
-198 dead, Rhythm Night Club dance hall in Natchez, Miss., April 23, 1940. Cause unknown.
Unfortunately, History Repeats Itself:
Some of the deadliest U.S. fires in clubs and dance halls:
-164 dead, Beverly Hills Supper Club in Southgate, Ky., May 28, 1977. Defective wiring.
-87 dead, Happy Land Social Club in The Bronx, New York, March 25, 1990. Arson.
Unfortunately History repeats itself!!
-40 dead, dance hall in West Plains, Mo., April 13, 1928 (explosion). Cause unknown.
-32 dead, Upstairs Bar in New Orleans, June 24, 1973. Cause unknown.
Unfortunately History repeats itself!!
-25 dead, an ethnic Social Club, Bronx, New York, Oct. 24, 1976. Arson.
-24 dead, Gulliver's Discotheque, Port Chester, N.Y., June 30, 1974. Arson fire in nearby bowling alley spread to disco.
What lessens have we learned?
There would have been a major impact on the outcome had the building been fully protected by an automatic Fire Sprinkler system.
We must look at the current Fire and Building Codes being used in all states and determine if the occupancy load thresholds are too high.
What lessens have we learned?Overdue to examine the triggers in which an
automatic fire sprinkler system would be installed such as the square footage, occupancy load, occupancy uses.
Education of architects, engineers, and designers in fire sprinkler “Trade-Ups” available in model building codes.
The obvious…?
NIST- All Places of Assembly should be protected by an automatic sprinkler system regardless of square footage or occupant load.
“Fire cannot read building codes!”
Code Development
Consensus Code Process
Process is a form of negotiating. (Everyone comes out of process giving up something.)
AHJs should remember that codes are “minimal” codes. (But let’s not go nuts here.)
Min/Max state codes tie the hands of local control.
BCNYS/FCNYS
A-2 Nightclub- 903.2.1.2- An automatic Sprinkler System shall be provided for group A-2 occupancies where (1) of the following conditions exist:
1. The fire area exceeds 5,000 Square Feet (464.5 M).
2. The fire area has an occupant load of 100 or more.
3. The fire area is located on a floor other than the level of exit discharge.
Imagine…your day starts out as any typical work day…
“My name is Raymond Mattera. The last time I kissed and hugged my beautiful daughter Tammy, she was in a black body bag. Tammy was 29 years old…..”
...and what did work…
“Fine Line” Night club
7 Fire Sprinklers activated,
2 over fire, 5 “down wind” due to front door left open after egress,
Fire sprinklers were approx 18 inches below ceiling level, why?
Drop ceiling removed months before when new tenant moved in.
“Fine Line” Night club results?
Minimal loss (considering)
No injuries
NO FATALATIES!!!
“Fine Line” Staff
Trained in evacuation
Pointed patrons to exit
Trained in fire extinguishers
Checked to make sure everyone was out.
Occupancy has fire sprinklers throughout!
OverviewIf Codes and general fire safety procedures are unknown, misunderstood or not enforced? Potential…
Trauma (physical and mental)
Fatalities
High Dollar Losses
Vacant buildings
Degradation of neighborhoods
Crime rate increase
Law suits
NFPA
ROP Meetings for 2006 edition
Definition of “bars” modified to include “bars with live entertainment”.
Fire ModelingStudy prepared for NFPA 101 meeting.
Modeling included many factors-
Fire growth, obstructions, speed of occupants, turning rate, smoke layer, 140º F.
Study done for 5,000 sq ft building
Before untenable at 6 ft. above floor
150 people could escape with one 32” exit
300 people- 2 exits
Under the modeled conditions.
Code Updates
NFPA 101
Fire Sprinklers in Assembly Occupancies
New- 50 or more occupants
Existing- 100 or more
Egress issues and egress inspections
Crowd management
NFPA 5000
New Assembly Occupancies- Festival seating changes identical to NFPA 101.
Supervised Automatic Fire Sprinklers
16.3.5.1.1
NFPA 1/UFC
Fire Sprinklers
13.3.2.4.1 New Assembly Occupancies
13.3.2.5.1 Existing
ICC
Group A-2 Fire Sprinkler requirements changed from 300 to 100 occupants.
Proposal to fire sprinkler all existing A-2 was denied.
Multiple proposals to fire sprinkler other occupancies denied, to include Educational.
Changes to State Legislation
Rhode Island
Assy Occup- 100 or more: Sprinkler Retro
Eff. 01 Oct 2004- Employee Training
Massachusetts
Legislation signed 17 Aug 2004
Assy Occup, 100 or more: Sprinkler Retro
Employee Training to start in 2005
Change to Massachusetts Tax Code!!!
Employee TrainingCrowd count- prevent overcrowding
Exits marked and clear
Open flame use (permits, firewatch)
Fire extinguishers
Panic control/egress routes
Area assignments- evac restrooms, etc.
Decorations- only tested flame resistive materials
Changes to State Legislation
New York State?
Was ahead of the game in 2003:
NYSBC Section 903.2.1.2 A-2 Occupancies
Must have fire sprinklers if:
5,000 ft2
Load of 100 occupants or more (A-1,2,3,4)
NYSFC Section 404 Fire Safety & Evac Plans
NYSFC Section 406 Employee Training & Response Procedures
The “3 E”s
Education
Engineering
Enforcement
Consider a 4th-
Evaluation
What’s the answer?
Ya can’t fix “stupid”!
But we can address the results of “stupid”.
Federal Legislation
HR 1131 / SB 512
Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act of 2005
“60 Minutes II” investigates…