Former fire marshal speaks with NPR about ongoing problems at nightclubs

Raymond O'Brocki, former fire marshal of the Baltimore Fire Department, was recently interviewed on National Public Radio's (NPR) "Talk of the Nation" about the recent Brazil nightclub fire and how conditions at this venue eerily matched safety shortfalls that contributed to some of the deadliest blazes in U.S. history.

The Happy Land Social Club, pictured after a deadly blaze killed 87 people in 1990. New York City officials said the club was operating illegally and had no sprinklers, fire exits, emergency lights, or exit signs.

"The Coconut Grove, Happy Land Social Club, The Station...and even the Iroquois Theater fire back in Chicago in 1903," he says. "There are such recurring themes over and over and over again with these fires; lack of egress, overcrowding, combustible wall coverings, a lack of a notification, a crowd that doesn't know where the exits are, exits that are locked and blocked. Codes aren't the problem--code enforcement is the problem." 

What has worked in O'Brocki's jurisdiction are spot checks at venues on nights and weekends, "bolstering up forces" on days bars and clubs are notoriously crowded, and developing business allies that pinpoint irresponsible club owners. During the program, O'Brocki even fields a call from the mother of a Station nightclub victim.

Listen to the segment, and review NFPA's extensive safety information on nightclubs and assembly occupancies.

Comments

[Marcos Kahn]

Unfortunately we have the same problem down here. We have laws, good standards in most part of the regions (there is some work to be done) and we have very good professionals too. A national fire code will surely help a lot, but the real problem is the lack of resources, knowledge and legal power for our fire marshal’s, that make it possible that only the club owners truly determine what their safety needs are. In a massive effort by our authorities (many task forces with municipal inspectors and fire marshal’s) closed more than 100 night clubs this last week.

Marcos Kahn
Sao Paulo , Brazil

[Fred Durso]

Hi Marcus--thanks for the insight. I wasn't aware that more than 100 clubs closed their doors last week. Thanks for reading, and feel free to offer your perspective in future blog posts.