Music News | Rolling Stone: The Brazilian nightclub fire on January 31st that left 238 people dead and more than 100 hospitalized prompted officials in Brazil, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Mexico to intensify club safety regulation, accelerate inspections and temporarily close dozens of clubs and bars. "What happened in Brazil is a warning for the whole world," Miguel Angel Mancera, mayor of Mexico City, said after the tragedy.
9 comments:
Indoor, large concerts are definitely a safety hazard for fires, and I find it surprising that it's only after almost 200 people die in a nightclub fire that people think about the concerns of indoor pyrotechnics. I've been to quite a few small concerts in small venues, and even those are packed in tight events. But, when I think back to those events, there aren't many exits. I remember there were people smoking inside at some of these things. Add that sort of thing into the mix, and it's like asking for a fire to get out of control. I love going to see live music, and there's nothing quite like seeing your favorite artist in an "intimate" small concert inside a bar basement, but there really does need to be strict regulations about music/concert venues. I do have slight worry that regulations could send some unique places (like basement shows) out of business because they only have one exit, and poor ventilation, and no sprinkler system, but there needs to be a larger concern for not just the audience's safety, but the musician's safety. If change is really going to happen, and these concerts are going to be safer, the musicians are the ones who need to be the driving force. If they agree to only play at venues that are safe, venues will catch up with the trend and make their shows a safe place to be for a few hours.
The biggest issue with concert safety seems to be that the venues in which concerts are being played aren't up to code. There aren't sprinkler systems in place, there aren't enough exits or fire extinguishers, etc. The major issue with the fire in the Brazilian night club a few weeks ago was that the club's license was pulled but they were never shut down. If a venue isn't up to code, enough so that they authorities try to shut them down, someone needs to follow through. If the proper authorities had followed through after pulling the club's license to make sure that they weren't still operating, this tragedy could have been avoided. It's also up to the patrons to make a change. If enough people refuse to show up to a show because the venue isn't safe, changes will start to be made. If you are going to a concert, be mindful of everything around you. Ultimately you are responsible for your own safety.
I am in no way surprised that several countries are now questioning their safety precautions. I think it is extremely important and a necessary thing to do. I find that with establishments like night clubs or concert venues they have so many different classifications. I think with all the different classifications it creates problems because so many things can slip through the cracks. I think that this is a similar case or because many places are multipurpose they may meet one requirement but not another. I think as others have said each venue needs to be addressed individually and some pose more of a danger than others.
The articles that we've seen lately about performance venues being victims to tragic fire accidents seem to have a pattern to them: the venues were often or always not up-to-date on fire codes, or not following them. It seems to me that rather than making stricter fire laws and modifying the existing ones, there needs to be a nation wide - world wide even - effort to ensure that said fire codes are being respected.
I don't understand how some clubs can still allow Pyro on the stage when the affects of one spark gone wrong are so devastating. Fire codes are in place in many locations, but there needs to be more verification that those laws are actually being followed. If night clubs were policed more to check that their facilities were safe and clubs that were supposed to be closed were actually closed then maybe this wouldn't happen. Of course, every situation needs to be approached with the idea that something terrible could happen so that a venue can cover all it's bases. Accidents will still happen, but maybe the death toll won't be so high.
Almost everything can be done, but there has to be a safe way to do it. Using pyro onstage at a club, especially a large one, can be done in a way to minimize the risk enough that it is considered a safe effect. Part of this risk management is ensuring that everything is up to fire code in terms of fire suppression systems, exits, and adequate security staff. What interests me more is that now the larger festival-type concerts are being drawn into the conversation as well. Generally, people don't relate nightclub tragedies to things such as the Indiana stage collapse. It seem as though more and more groups are trying to regulate the safety of our industry.
I'm glad that many club owners around the world have been creating more safety measures to ensure the safety of their customers. However, even though clubs in America have improved based on the disaster in Rhode Island, I still believe they should look more into whether having fire is necessary or not. As cool as it looks, it's better to be safe then have a law suit on your hands. I don't think there is any way to enforce this really, but it should definitely be truly considered and talked to amongst professionals to make sure you are making the best decision you can.
After reading about this insane fire last week i truely think something oyught tp be done. Ive been at large concerts befprewhere saftey seems like everhyones last priority, and it seems like that was lacking here too. Its incredibly hard to believe they didnt have insureance and that somehow it wasnt inspected for something like this. how ever i agree with kelly in that managwers and people can only do so much and other people such as the musicians really need to step up and practice more safely and responsibly.
I agree to a certain extend with other commenters above me that you are responsible for your own safety, but only to the extent that maximum safety is assured. Going into a building, most people assume that safety measures are in place in case something were to happen. Even in a basement club, there are certain assumptions made about the safety of the people inside. If you as the club-goer know that the club is legal, is allowed to have live music, has a liquor license, etc (all of which requires some kind of legal procedure), you make the assumption that you are going to be safe inside of this building, and so I absolutely thing that it is the managers' responsibility to ensure the safety and security of the patrons.
Post a Comment