Fire inspections at clubs begin
By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Staff Writer
In the aftermath of the deadly Rhode Island nightclub fire, Honolulu fire officials last night began conducting evening inspections of O'ahu nightclubs to ensure they meet safety standards.
Fire inspectors plan to check about 20 nightclubs and other evening social establishments this weekend, a fire official said. The inspections began about 9, and early reports turned up no major violations, said fire spokesman Capt. Kenison Tejada.
In fact, he said, some managers said they were expecting the inspections because of the Rhode Island tragedy.
Fire Chief Attilio Leonardi said inspectors will look primarily at places with maximum capacities of more than 300 people. Such establishments require assembly permits.
"We wanted to go during the weekend to check particularly any overcrowding situations," he said.
Ninety-nine people have died as a result of the Feb. 21 Rhode Island nightclub fire. The tragedy came three days after 21 people were killed in a stampede at a Chicago nightspot.
Leonardi would not say which clubs would be checked this weekend, and which inspections would be scheduled or unscheduled.
But he stressed that the evening inspections are being done as a "precaution," and did not signify any recent blatant violations by local club owners.
"Some of these inspections are scheduled because we want the business owners to deal with potential violations that can be fixed in advance," he said. "We're not doing these inspections to panic people. We just want to see what is out there. In fact, the local businesses have been pretty cooperative in fixing any violations."
Fire officials discontinued routine evening inspections in 1995 because the problems being identified did not warrant full-time investigation. The department's 34 inspectors check clubs when complaints are lodged, typically at night. Most of the complaints, averaging five to 10 a year, are for exceeding room capacity.
Leonardi said if there are serious fire code violations at the clubs, he would consider moving a couple more inspectors to handle more nighttime checks. Results of the club inspections would be made available next week, officials said.
In addition to this round of evening checks, Leonardi said, inspectors perform annual daytime checks of clubs with capacities of more than 300 people.
Fire Battalion Chief Lloyd Rogers of the department's fire prevention bureau said inspectors will also look to make sure fire exits are not locked or obstructed, fire exits are illuminated, and fire extinguishers and hoses are properly serviced.
Fire inspectors will make sure other material near performance stages, such as curtains, are flame retardant, Rogers said.
Alan Brissette, general manager at the Wave Waikiki nightclub on Kalakaua Avenue, welcomed the evening inspections, saying it would put customers at ease.
"I think it's a good thing because it would help assure the general public," said Brissette, who noted that the club has been informed of the weekend inspections. "I think these two tragedies were wake-up calls for clubs that had gotten a little sloppy."
Reach Scott Ishikawa at sishikawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 535-8110.
