February 21, 2002

PRESS RELEASE
To: Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Asst. to Fire Chief
Phone: 673-6652, cell: 455-2609, page: 675-2137

Fire Department Issues Safety Tips in Wake of Night Club Tragedies

The Shreveport Fire department is issuing safety tips following last nights tragedy in a Rhode Island night club . . .

Because of their dim lighting, tight quarters, and overcrowding, night clubs, bars, and lounges have been synonymous with deadly fires over the years in America. Some of the things that area residence can do to protect themselves against such an incident are:

Frequent clubs within city limits where weekly night inspections are performed by Shreveport Fire Inspectors for fire code compliance

Familiarize and acclimate yourself with your environment, especially if it is a club you have never visited before

Know where at least two other exits are besides the one you came in

Do not stay in club where you feel unsafe and cannot reach a proper exit in the case of an emergency because of the number of people inside

Do not drink to the point of intoxication. Alcohol will impair your judgement and slows reflexes.

Have your designated driver or friend who is not drinking be aware of everyone in your party and where the exits are in case of emergency

Night clubs, bars, and lounges are inspected weekly in Shreveport by Fire Inspectors from the departments Fire Prevention Bureau. Fire Inspectors visit the businesses at night when their occupancy is expected to reach peak levels. Some of the items looked at by Fire Inspectors are compliance with current fire codes, including:

Look to ensure that exits are accessible and unblocked

Look to ensure that proper exit sigh lighting is visible

Ensure that emergency lighting with battery powered illumination available

Ensure that occupancy load does not exceed maximum posted persons allowed in business. Occupancy loads for entertainment businesses are issued by the Fire Prevention Bureau based on square footage and number of exits.

The Fire Prevention Bureau also performs the initial inspections for Fire Code compliance of new businesses. These inspections are performed monthly and then a final inspections is done at the completion of construction. The businesses are given full compliance inspections once a year where items such as:

Having proper fire extinguishers for business

Proper ventilation and hooding for heating devices in kitchen area

Proper alarm and sprinkler system for businesses rated at a 300 occupancy load or above