OffT, fire in cafes

[Dave Krooshof]

I do not know if you people do live performances a lot, but I wanted to put
this to your attention, as I think we all can learn something from it.

Why I feel I should write this:
I'm working in the Amsterdam Theatreschool, and one of the tasks of our
technical department is to watch for fire-safety. We generally have a hard
time explaining why students can't use plastic, simple curtains, cloth,
cardboard, newspapers, candles or other flammable stuff. And we have a hard
time explaining that they can't ducktape the 'exit'lights off.
But I guess that's past now, as last night in Volendam, near Amsterdam, the
following happened:

- In a large pub (in fact, three on top of each other) somebody lit a
firecracker.
- The Christmas decoration was not treated with anti fire spray.
- All caught fire instantly, heavily smoking.
- the burning decoration fell upon the guests.
- Panic broke out.
- 3 out of 4 emergency exits were locked.
- People jump out of windows from the 2nd floor.
- Casualties: 200 wounded, either burned and/or step upon, 90 are still
(24h later) in hospital with severe burns, of which 64 are in a life
threatening condition (long and skin burns), 8 have died *so far*. (16 to
22 years in age, 7 men, 1 woman). Some of them had to be flown to Belgian
and German hospitals. The identity of some of the wounded is still unclear.

I think it's also a musicians job to check the following points, as you
often arrive in places way before the visitors come, and at times lights
are on and things can be organised:
- Emergency exits
	- Check if there are any, where they are, and if they are not locked.
	- Do not build your equipment in front of it, no matter what)
- Decoration
	- Some of it, especially fluffy stuff and plastics are highly
	flammable. Have it removed.
	- Check if lights are far enough too flammable things.
- Check for fire extinguishers
- Electricity and cables:
	- Watch your watts.
	- Ducktape/gaffer your cables to the floor.
- If (by some lucky coincidence) your mike is still on, unpanic the crowd,
and tell them where they can get out.

I'm sorry to be so off topic and with the risk of overwarning you, I just
want to stress we need not only be aware, but acting too.

Thanks for the attention

Dave K.





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Dave Krooshof http://www.xs4all.nl/~krooshof
geluidstechnicus @ http://www.ahk.nl/the/theatertechniek_ov.html
webmaster: http://www.popronde.nl