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Life Safety: nightclubs

100 people perished in the 2003 Station Nightclub Fire. The National Institute of Standards and Technology conducted an investigation into the multiple factors that contributed to the disaster and the great loss of life. A central issue concerns the egress system: the nightclub was required by IBC to have 3 exits, but had 4 exits and the maximum occupant load per floor area of 585 persons was not exceeded on the night of the fire by the estimated 458 attendees of the show. What could have failed to accommodate safe discharge of the occupants?
AnswerEgress widths were not properly sized, even though the number of exits was sufficient. Also, placement and configuration at the main entrance was deficient.

ARE 4.0 exam prep: SD

Resource tip: Read more about the NIST's recommendations for nightclubs as a result of their investigation of the 2003 Station Nightclub Fire.

RLGA Technical Services (consultants) also has an excellent article on this analysis.

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