If you are not familiar with the deadliest fires in the history of the United States, you may be surprised that it is the 70th Anniversary of the Cocoanut Grove Nightclub in Boston. The Boston nightclub caused 492 deaths and injured many more. The year, 1942.
What caused this devastating fire? Poor building design for fire safety. The fire moved so swiftly throughout the building and there was a lack of proper emergency exits.
In building design life safety and fire safety should always be top priorities. In the case of the Cocoanut Grove Club, it was a one story high building with a basement. 70 years later, the direct cause for the fire has yet to be determined.
The fire started in the basement cocktail. It is suspected that combustible decorations and the wall/ ceiling interior finishes may have been one of many reasons the fire speared so rapidly. There were over 1,000 people and that was above the building’s safe capacity.
The main exit had a revolving door that got jammed and caused over 200 people to die. Other exit doors were locked and prevented safe evacuation.
The building also lacked an automatic sprinkler system, fire detection system / fire notification system.
With all these challenges to life safety and fire safety the majority of people didn’t have the time or the means to get out alive.
To prevent loss of life in your nightclub or other building structures, you should have the following completed for your building:
- Provide easy access to fire emergency exit systems
- Have your building designed with safer interior finishes
- Create an emergency plan and practice it on a regular basis
- Have fire alarms and automatic fire suppression systems properly installed
Fireline Corporation is here to properly inspect your building and design/ install proper fire protection systems.
Learn about the Fire Protection Systems we at Fireline design, install, and service today.
Fireline is a Maryland corporation founded in 1947 by John S. Waters. Fireline remains a pioneer in the fledgling fire equipment distribution business and we have grown to encompass all facets of fire protection. We can design, install, inspect, or service any type of fire protection system. From fire alarm to fire extinguisher, we do it all.
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Source: http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/2012/11/70th-anniversary-of-bostons-deadiest-fire.html