03/27/2003

Two experts on fire sprinklers are among the first witnesses scheduled to testify before a state panel conducting a review of the state's fire-safety codes.

The 17-member fire safety review commission will hear tonight from Richard A. Skinner, regional manager for the National Fire Sprinkler Association, and Vincent Calenda, senior investigator for the consulting firm Engineering and Fire Investigations.

Skinner will speak about "the role of sprinklers in fire safety," according to a statement from the legislative commission.

Calenda will offer "the investigator's view" on sprinklers and fire safety.

The panel will also hear from William Howe, chief of inspections for the state fire marshal, who will offer an overview of fire-safety code; and Joe Goldblatt, dean of the Alan Shawn Feinstein Graduate School at Johnson & Wales University, and an expert in "event management," according to the commission.

The General Assembly created the 17-member commission in the days after The Station nightclub in West Warwick burned down, killing 99 people. The Feb. 20 fire apparently started when pyrotechnics used to open a rock show ignited packing foam used as soundproofing around the stage.

The commission is charged with reviewing the state's fire codes to determine how Rhode Island buildings may be made safer.

The commission meets at 6 tonight at the State House.

MARK ARSENAULT

Look back at Journal coverage of The Station fire, check for news updates and visit a memorial to those who died, at:

http://projo.com/extra/2003/stationfire/