Local fire officials oppose indoor pyrotechnic displays
In the aftermath of a fire in a Rhode Island nightclub that left 97 people dead and 195 people injured, local fire officials said Monday they wouldn’t permit pyrotechnic displays like the one that started the fatal blaze. Officials also said they’re continually working with local bar owners to make sure that tragic accidents like the one last Thursday night don’t happen here.
“We do not permit pyrotechnic type devices,” Uniontown Fire Chief Myron Nypaver said. “There’s too many what ifs.”
Actually, such displays are allowed, but Uniontown bars that host bands would be required to modify their performance areas to make them safe from fire, said Nypaver.
“It’s easier to just say it’s not allowed,’ he added.
Nypaver said wall and ceiling finishes, stage decorations and curtains would all have to be fire retardant to gain permission for a pyrotechnics display.
“The majority of places would not be allowed to have that type of show,” Nypaver said.
Nypaver said he’s in the process of developing an annual inspection program for all city nightclubs, but many owners have already agreed to the inspections.
The larger bars like VIP, Mahoney’s and Darby’s have voluntarily submitted to the inspections, which have been going on for about a year, Nypaver said. Surprise inspections also have been in use for about year.
“We may show up at 1 in the morning,” he said.
All exit signs in bars must be lighted, exit doors can not be blocked, working fire extinguishers must be present and heat detectors must be working order, he said.
“There’s room for improvement in every one of them,” Nypaver said. “They can’t have the attitude, it can’t happen here.”
Nypaver said that last year the fire department “emptied” an under-21 club that had more patrons than its occupancy permit and forced another bar to widen its doorway.
One of the problems at the Rhode Island club was that the customers were not familiar with the exits. While many people struggled to squeeze through the door they entered through after the fire broke out, other exits were not being used.
Nypaver said he would like to see someone announce the location of all exits in bars when they have big crowds, and especially when bands are performing because they often draw people who are not be familiar with the bar.
He said firefighters also help bar owners determine the capacities of their establishments.
The city building code mandates seven square feet of space for every patron, but tables, chairs, stages and bars count against that space requirement, Nypaver said.
Pyrotechnic displays are permitted, but unlikely to occur in Connellsville either, according to Fire Chief Joe Childs.
He said he has never received an application for and would never approve a permit for a pyrotechnics display.
He said such displays are considered open flames in the Pennsylvania Fire and Panic Act.
Childs said he has been conducting annual inspections of all public buildings in that city for more than 20 years.
The most common infractions are locked emergency exit doors during business hours and bags of garbage, chairs or other clutter blocking exits, he said, also noting that spot inspections are occasionally conducted.
In Brownsville, North Side Volunteer Fire Department Chief Clark Sealy said borough zoning enforcement officer Woody Nicholson inspects buildings, but spends most of his time dealing with dilapidated structures. Nicholson could be reached for comment Monday.
Sealy said only one or two bars in Brownsville occasionally have live bands and there has never been a fire during a performance or large event.
He said he would like to see an inspection program for bars, but doesn’t think the borough can afford to operate it. “I wish we did,” he said.’
He said he checks alarms and fire extinguishers during courtesy fire inspections in area nursing homes.