Here's Your To-Do Agenda For The Top 10 Safety List!
1. Install a sprinkler system and a 24-hour monitored fire alarm system in case of a fire. The deadly fire at The Station Nightclub in Warwick, Rhode Island killed at least 97 and injured 187 customers. Make sure you have the necessary number of fire extinguishers based upon the size of your venue. Also, consider having the music automatically disabled when the fire alarm goes off so patrons can hear the alarm and react quickly.
2. Display well-lit and visible EXIT signs with diagrams showing patrons where all the EXIT locations are - both MAIN and ALTERNATE EXITS. It's a fact that in an emergency, most people will exit out a building the same way they entered. Be sure to have exits clearly marked.
3. Make sure your club is not ignoring, violating, and allowing over-crowding and Exceeding Capacity Limits. This is a severe Fire Code Violation and can cause your club to be hit with a hefty fine.
4. Make sure your club has a solid EXIT PLAN and include Emergency Lighting to illuminate the way for people to get out of your venue. Ensure that all exit doors are accessible and are not blocked or locked in case of an emergency. This is another severe Fire Code Violation. All exit doors should be left unlocked during business hours. Do your exit doors open out or in? Check your fire codes.
5. Have at least one employee or manager on-site who is trained in Crowd Control Management and have a well-thought out Emergency Evacuation Plan. Include a Public Address (PA) System for evacuation orders. Chaos or a stampede can occur from a fire, shooting, or pepper spray.
6. Post signs that "Mace or Pepper Spray" is not allowed in your venue. When pepper spray was used to break up a fight at E2 nightclub in Chicago, it caused chaos and a stampede ensued causing a door to become jammed shut. At least 21 people were killed and 57 injured in the stampede. Ensure your employees know the proper usage of these sprays.
7. If your club is in a high crime area, install metal detectors to ensure knives and/or firearms are not brought into your venue. For instance, over the past few years the City of Seattle has been plagued with hundreds of serious assaults and weapon incidents with patrons bringing guns and knives inside the clubs. Metal detectors would catch most of these weapons before they enter your nightclub.
8. Be proactive and conduct regular safety inspections throughout your venue, recognizing and fixing any and all Fire Code Violations before a disaster occurs. Perform monthly fire drills with your employees so they know how to respond to an emergency.
9. Make sure your employees and especially your security personnel are well-trained in all areas of safety prevention. They are your front-line source to direct patrons out of your venue in case of an emergency or disturbance.
10. Make your nightclub/bar a place where your customers feel safe. Ensure you have taken responsibility for making sure your premises and equipment meet all fire safety regulations and other standards on a continuous basis.
