Digital Extra: The Station Fire

The state grants extensions to several nightclub owners that say they can't meet the July 1 deadline to install sprinklers.

01:00 AM EDT on Wednesday, April 19, 2006

BY MARK ARSENAULT
Journal Staff Writer

PROVIDENCE -- The Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review yesterday granted extensions to several nightclubs that had appealed for more time to comply with the upcoming July 1 deadline for installing sprinklers.

George Farrell, the board chairman, said the panel has been consistent in granting 120-day extensions to individual businesses that have shown a willingness to fix code violations and update their fire-safety equipment.

"In many cases, we take a look not only at the problem issue, but at the building as a whole," said Farrell. For example, "Do they have an updated fire alarm? We have had a number of people having trouble getting a sprinkler construction company because of the amount of work being done.

"Most of the people who come [to variance hearings] are willing to do the work, but they [need more time] to get the financing. The clubs have been willing to comply." Representatives from the sprinkler installation industry have told the board that the statewide workload is stretching the industry's capacity to install the systems, Farrell said.

Clubs across the state are updating fire-safety equipment to comply with the changes contained in the 2003 overhaul of the state fire code. The new requirements were approved after The Station nightclub in West Warwick burned down on Feb. 20, 2003, and killed 100 people. The law set a deadline of July 1, 2005, for clubs holding more than 300 people to install sprinklers; the law established a deadline of this July 1 for clubs that hold 150 to 300 people. Smaller clubs are exempt.

The law also set a deadline of July 1, 2004, for nightclubs that hold 150 or more to install alarms that connect automatically to the local fire department. Smaller nightclubs need local fire alarms.

Large banquet facilities have received a blanket extension from the Fire Code Board, and have until October to install sprinklers.

The board was consistent yesterday, granting 120-day extensions to several nightclubs that need sprinklers by July 1. Those clubs have 30 days to submit plans, and each faces a 20-percent penalty to its maximum occupancy after July 1 until their sprinkler systems are finished. According to the board, those clubs include: La Fragancia, Broad Street, Providence; Prime Time Café, Douglas Avenue, Providence; Babylon, Valley Street, Providence; El Malecon, Broad Street, Providence; Mi Sueno, Broad Street, Providence; and Mishnock Barn, Mishnock Road, West Greenwich.

The board also gave 120-day extensions for alarm installation to the Art Bar, Chestnut Street, Providence, and Club Hell and Jerky's, both on Richmond Street, Providence. Several other variance requests were continued to hearings in May.

marsenau@projo.com / (401) 277-7231