At least 26 dead as fire consumes nightclub

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Title – At least 26 dead as fire consumes nightclubSource – CNN.com
Date – 21st February 2003

Fires in nightclubs occur all over the world and events where multiple fatalities occur don’t only happen in the developing world. In this example in the USA, arguably the worlds most developed country, regulation proved that it is only part of the solution.

Management bear the responsibility for the activities they put on. Cutting corners can seem tempting when trying to make a venue profitable, but some corners simply can’t be cut.

Too often inspections from Health & Safety or the Fire Service are seen as a test that needs to be passed at all cost. Venues are tidied and faulty equipment removed or repaired in order to pass the inspection. Once it has been confirmed that the inspection has been a success, the venue goes back to it normal sloppy operation.

Inspectors are certainly there to make sure you meet all the demands set on you by local regulations, but most want more then anything to help venues operate in a safe manner, so that they are not called upon to return when the venue needs them in an emergency. Standards they set are the minimum requirement and most progressive and responsible managers will not only meet these but try and exceed them. If a venue requires 3 emergency exits and 15 fire extinguishers is there any harm in having 5 exits and 20 extinguishers? Fire does more then damage property; it can kill in large numbers and cripple businesses. Repairing fire damage can take time and money and time with a venue closed and not earning will put a dent in any business plan. If anyone is hurt or killed the venue will be closed a lot longer as investigations can be protracted over months and years, not to mention that if an individual is found guilty of negligence they can face long custodial sentences.

Training in fire safety can be a start and ensure that all the staff are aware of their responsibilities in the case of an emergency. Our Fire Safety Course (FS) offers the training to your staff in the specific fire safety aspects of the venue in which they work. A consultancy project or Fire Risk Assessment will allow us to explore a venues systems and practices with you, formulate them and set them in motion through training and practice.

Please visit our website at www.btbl.co.uk

Chicago club was told to close second floor

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Title – Chicago club was told to close second floor – 21 killed in rush down staircase for exit
Source – cnn.com
Date – 19th February 2003

Although the laws and systems in place in the USA are very different to our own in the UK, human reactions tend to be the same. Panic, disorientations and fear can all lead to situations getting out of control very quickly. Learning how to deal with situations without the use of force, aggression or violence avoids you adding to the problem and allows you to start solving it.

Pepper or CS sprays remain offensive weapons in the UK and legitimate Door Supervisors do not carry such articles. However they are freely available in many other parts of the world including our nearest European neighbours and therefore not uncommon in the UK. Used in close confinement such as a bar or club they don’t only affect the person they are sprayed at, but all those in the immediate vicinity and can easily affect several hundred people causing confusion and panic.

Having a competent and rehearsed evacuation plan (these can often be linked to Fire Evacuation plans) enables security staff, Door Supervisors and Managers to deal calmly with any panic that follows a deliberate or accidental discharge of either a pepper or CS spray. Having well trained staff allows them to use every available tool to resolve conflict without the use of force rather then to use force as the first resort rather then the last. Professional door supervisors and security staff resolve problem and do not create them.

Local authority, police or fire officer directives are also there for a reason. These are the professionals who approach your business with an impartial attitude; they are not interested in how much income your business generates, as much as they are in the health and safety of your staff and customers. Directions they give are not just to keep their bosses happy or to irritate you; it is to put their vast experience into practice. When the fire officer gives you your fire limit, their calculation is based on the size of your venue, the number of emergency exits and the number of evacuation routes, as well as the distance from inside a venue to the external emergency doors.

Many people miss out on a perfect opportunity for free consultancy from fire officers, police or local authorities when they are carrying out checks and inspections. The individuals tasked with these inspections will offer you informed advice that can help grow your business, providing you approach these events in a positive way rather then considering them an irritation.

Training in Fire Safety (FS) or our Consultancy Service to formulate a solid and well rehearsed evacuation plan as part of your fire risk assessment will go some way to enabling staff to deal with situations where panic and confusion occur. We also provide Conflict Management and Resolution (CMR) training and the National Certificate for Door Supervisors courses (NCDS) that train individuals to deal with situations that require tact and diplomacy as well as good communication skills, to avoid them turning violent. We also examine through our physical interventions course, how to bring situations that have already turned violent under control without the use of excessive force or any kind of aggressive action. Our Physical Interventions (PI) training is based on teaching low impact techniques that do not require force or strength to achieve their goal and are less likely to attract a physical backlash from aggressors.

Please visit our website at www.btbl.co.uk