Comments on: Does This Meet Code 9

By: Dennis G. Nolan

Dennis G. Nolan — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:29:39 +0000

Do you suppose anyone has shared this video with the theater owners? . . . or their insurance company? Maybe someone should take a look at the rest of the lights.

By: Mike OBrian

Mike OBrian — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:22:52 +0000

All some great comments and I do have to back up Inspector Petras on this one. We posted the video before we new where it was, and then shortly later found out the location. Current Fire Marshal and Previous have worked diligently at the inspection process in this facility as it is very popular.

I think the video demonstrated how important training of all persons associated with a live event truly is. Mike B was there to do a show and kept it going. I think we all would have liked to have seen him provide some prompting as opposed to the making it humorous.

Have a great weekend!

By: John Petras

John Petras — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:33:35 +0000

Now the rest of the story….. The fire involved two (2) plastic wire nuts that had melted onto the scene lights. The fire was out prior to the light bar being lowered. The remaining lights were checked and repaired as needed. FYI- this venue has annual inspections and numerous spot inspections. The building is fully alarmed, sprinklered and a safety plan is in place. Having inspected this venue numerous times, I never thought to check the ~50 scene lights for the stage. Although the local FD does all the inspections and safety checks, in Michigan, the state Fire Marshal has authority on all public assembly locations (even though they do not do inspections). Go figure.

By: Chris M

Chris M — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:51:51 +0000

Believe me, I find this troubling also, and feel it IS an issue also. I’ve done a little more research since my last answer, I didn’t have the code in front of me. Not implementing the emergency plan would be a start.

If the fire was a “wanted” fire 308.3.6 would come in and would have to be approved so the code official would have knowledge about it. But if the was an unwanted fire, notification and implementing the plan is an issue.

I ask this, If this occurred in a facility which, by code didn’t require a fire safety plan, what would be our recourse in them not evacuating? I don’t know of any code section that would require an evacuation.

By: Richard

Richard — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:47:22 +0000

Yes folks there were absolutally multiple code violations. The facility management put their customers in a dangerious situation. While it would take time for a complete evacuation, the safety precaution should have been taken to assure public safety in a large assembly occupancy.

How many inspection divisions have code enforcement teeth to help the management of a facility like this, to understand their responsibility, to protect the public. Not just their bottom line. Management just can’t get the concept of it can happen here, not just to someone else.

By: Michael Laster

Michael Laster — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:45:38 +0000

The code cites are correct. However, we do not see any fire in the video. It appears audience members noticed the problem and alerted the performer who continued in a comedic tone. Maybe the performer should have stopped his act and left the stage until the issue was resolved. Facility personnel then could have given the audience instructions andinformation on the level of the “emergency”

We do not know what took place out of our view. Perhaps there was a plan in place and it was followed. Perhaps the fire department was called. Simply, the video does not provide enough information to determine if any violations occured.

By: Lt. Sally McCann-Mirise

Lt. Sally McCann-Mirise — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:02:14 +0000

I agree with Paul, Virginia and Bob D. This IS and issue. It’s obviously a concern and the audience didn’t appear to be aware that it was a problem. That could have been another “Station” fire, “Beverly Hills Club” fire etc. It has happened before, we all know that, but wait, “it hasn’t happened here”……full evacuation and calling the fire department would have been appropriate.

By: Paul Dove

Paul Dove — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:56:28 +0000

The incident in question also violates NFPA 1 Chapter 10 “General Fire Safety Requirements” specifically:

10.7.1.3* The owner, manager, occupant, or any person in control of such building or premises, upon discovery of an unwanted fire or evidence of a previous unwanted fire that had apparently been extinguished, shall immediately notify the fire department.

10.7.1.4 Persons shall not make, issue, post, or maintain any regulation or order, written or verbal, that would require any person to take any unnecessary delaying action prior to reporting a fire to the fire department.

By: Virginia Watson

Virginia Watson — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:43:34 +0000

I find this troubling. Obviously this is a theatre, an assembly occupancy that should have notification signals (a fire alarm, with smoke detection and strobes as well as emergency lighting) that activate in the event of a fire. There was no sign of a fire alarm to notify the people that the place was in danger. The fire was supposedly extinguished but we have no idea of what caused the event or of the extent of the damage. We do not know if there was any extension and no idea if any further investigation ever took place. The audience was never adequately given information about the fire. It was debateable if the people even believed it was a potential danger or if the percieved it to be part of “the act”. I believe this was potentially a very dangerous situation.

By: Bob D

Bob D — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:28:33 +0000

This violated two sections of the IFC 2009:

401.3.1 Fire events. In the event an unwanted fire occurs on
a property, the owner or occupant shall immediately report
such condition to the fire department.

401.4 Required plan implementation. In the event an
unwanted fire is detected in a building or a fire alarm activates,
the emergency plan shall be implemented.