Fire Marshalls Cracking Down on Bars

[Starlet]

Since that fire at the Rhode Island club, there have been fire marshalls cracking down at all the local bars enforcing stricter fire codes, i.e. taking a head count of how many people are in the bars and not letting them get overly packed. As a result, in the past two weeks, I have had to wait as long as 25 minutes to get into the bars if I go later because it's 1 in 1 out. Then when you get into the bar, it's not even crowded because they stop letting people in.

People are getting annoyed, including myself because the bars are just not what they used to be. Obviously I understand why the fire marshalls are suddenly starting to crack down on the bars, but it's gotten to the point of being ridiculous when you walk into the bar and there's so few people inside. Is this happening to anyone else?

[DeltAlum]

Good for them. If it saves even one life, it won't be ridiculous, will it?

[smiley21]

yeah but what is up with the sprinker thing. a club has to have more than 300 occupants before sprinkers are enforced to be installed?? i know that i am not the only that thinks that is the dumbest fire code....but not to worry, due to the tragic accident, the fire code will now be discussed in a rarely called emergency meeting
this needs to be discussed??

[PM_Mama00]

I duno about you, but I'd rather be annoyed by sitting in the line in the cold, then chance being burned alive in an accident.

[lifesaver]

Revelers booted from clubs

By Jesse Bogan
San Antonio Express-News

Web Posted : 03/05/2003 12:00 AM

One River Walk club was evacuated, another was shut down and at least one other was cited for obstructed exits, as San Antonio fire marshals swept through the area during Mardi Gras festivities Tuesday night.
Fat Tuesday, Dick's Last Resort and Polly Esther's were among the clubs cited.

Around 9 p.m., fire marshals and scores of police helped manage a grand exodus of partiers from Fat Tuesday, 111 W. Crockett.

"It's overloaded, overcrowded," said Jesse Sanchez, a San Antonio fire marshal, as the crowd of revelers surged past, many decorated with colorful beads around their necks.

The club was cited for having locked exit doors, obstructing exits and exceeding its capacity, officials said.

The maximum occupancy of the building is 360, Sanchez said, adding that at least 800 people were inside Tuesday night.

Those who came early paid a $10 cover charge. After the club was emptied, officials allowed it to reopen with a keen eye on safety. The line outside stretched around the building, as first officers, then club staff members, monitored the number of people going out and coming in.

While some grumbled, most continued to let the good times roll.

One happy young man threw shiny beads from the club's balcony outside, tossing some to a police officer below. Grinning, the officer jokingly started to lift the leg of his uniform.

About 10:30 p.m., authorities shut Polly Esther's, just across the San Antonio River from Fat Tuesday's, at 212 College St., for several unspecified reasons.

"It's serious enough that we're going to close them down tonight," Sanchez said, adding the club had to remain closed "until they fix the problems."

The dance club has room for 1,000 people and had about half that many inside, officers said.

Dick's Last Resort was cited for obstructed exits, officials said, but staff cleared the exits and the club was allowed to stay open.

Outside the closed Polly Esther's, Denise Luckey was among those forced out of the club. She took it all in stride.

"If it happens, it happens," said Luckey, 23. "I'm mad that it closed, but I'll just go home and party.

"It was fun while it lasted."

[Munchkin03]

You think it's bad where you live?

Try being in Rhode Island right now.If you're not in the bar by 10 PM, forget going at all--the lines are that long. I never went to the Station, but most of the places I frequent have sprinklers and at least two or three fire exits (I have always been paranoid about that). I'm really glad that they're doing this, even if it took something so horrific to get people on their feet.

The only reason that place wasn't sprinklered (?) was because it was grandfathered into the codes.

[Starlet]

Okay, I guess this isn't happening anywhere else (besides Rhode Island).

And obviously, if taking the necessary precautions means saving lives, then by all means do it. But when the bar is half empty and they're still not letting people in, then it gets a little extreme.

[PM_Mama00]

Originally posted by lifesaver
Revelers booted from clubs

By Jesse Bogan
San Antonio Express-News

Web Posted : 03/05/2003 12:00 AM

The maximum occupancy of the building is 360, Sanchez said, adding that at least 800 people were inside Tuesday night.

Ok.... that is just ridiculous! How could people even manage their way around? Get a drink? Even breathe!!!!

[Hootie]

Think of it this way. When you go to an amusement park, there are reasons that it's "one off, one on"...isn't there? You can't safely opperate a ride if too many people are on it. Yet you patiently wait in line...and that's for a ride that generally lasts only a few minutes. I think that waiting in line to go to a bar where you'll spend significantly more time, is well worth it.

[White_Chocolate]

It's no big deal here
The clubs are still packed
But that's because our clubs are spacious
Like most of our clubs are like 2 or more big open rooms
However, it still gets crowded
But if you notice, there's about 10 exit doors along the back
And the ceiling is elevated so it takes a lot for the place to get hot


That's ONE good thing that Louisville has going on

[ZTAngel]

The day after the Rhode Island club fire, I went to downtown Orlando. I went to my favorite bar and the bouncer told us to come back in 20 minutes because the club was full and the fire marshalls were coming around to all the downtown clubs checking the occupancy levels. I think it's great that something is finally being done.

[lifesaver]

Yeah, Howl here is pretty small. I think the occupancy is about 350, its not uncommon to have 450 in there. The back wall is all doors tho...

Polyesthers is way too crowded tho. I have always suspected that place to be a fire/death trap.

[moe.ron]

Seems like Fraternity parties are now being close scruitnized for fire hazard also.
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