Fire automatics in cafes and clubs.
I will not talk about organizational measures, the presence of emergency exits, non-combustible finishes and serviceable fire extinguishers. This is the most important thing, but this is not my specialty, and in relation to organizational measures, common sense is usually enough. Let's consider what technical means will help ensure the safety of people in entertainment enterprises.
Fire extinguishing
Firstly, a fire extinguishing system. Current regulatory documentation does not clearly stipulate the mandatory nature of such a system for entertainment enterprises. If there are fly bars on the stage (i.e. any stage machinery for moving scenery), then a fire extinguishing system is mandatory. But if there are no fly bars, then the club can be classified as a trade enterprise (in which case 200 sq. m makes a fire extinguishing system mandatory), or it can be classified as an administrative and household enterprise, in which case up to 1200 sq. m can get by with an alarm system. Let's face it: fire alarm sensors in an evening club are useless and pointless during its working hours. Cigarette smoke, stage smoke — all these are sources of false alarms. Only heat sensors function reliably during working hours, but outside working hours they will work unacceptably late. The whole city, of course, will not burn down, but that same expensive equipment and highly artistic straw furniture will have already burned down. On the other hand, why do we need automatic sensors in the presence of hundreds of people? People detect fire much better than any cutting-edge sensor. Of course, outside working hours, the club remains a very fire hazard and must be monitored by an alarm system. But during working hours, only a fire extinguishing system can be really useful. In cramped spaces with high crowding, often with low ceilings and difficult exit routes, a fire extinguishing system may be the only hope in the event of a real fire. It's scary to even think about what will happen if water accidentally flows onto expensive equipment, designer finishes, and even onto respected clients. But it's much scarier if a fire occurs and the water doesn't flow.
Let me repeat once again: our domestic regulatory documentation in many cases does not require the installation of fire extinguishing systems. But this is the only system that actually fights fire, and does not notify you that everything has already burned down. For comparison: in the USA, sprinkler systems have recently become mandatory even for almost all residential premises, not to mention clubs and discos. Remember, systems with dry (not filled with water) pipelines are absolutely safe (they cannot leak accidentally), are activated by opening one valve and are very cheap. This is a very inexpensive price for a clear conscience and a good night's sleep. For small clubs, the required water flow can be provided by ordinary household water supply, although a small tank (40-1000 l), recommended by the code of rules, will not hurt. In any case, it is useful to provide the possibility of connecting an external water supply (or foam generator) from a fire engine.If your water supply capacity is insufficient, you can consider options for installations with finely atomized water (they require significantly less water) or, at worst, install several automatic (or better yet, with manual activation) powder fire extinguishers in particularly dangerous places. Other types, such as gas extinguishing systems, which require first clearing the premises of people, are, of course, inappropriate in such premises.
In conclusion of the section on fire extinguishing systems, I will refute my own statement and say that sensors are also useful. Both outside of working hours and even during working hours. But mainly as an automatic fire extinguishing system, in case people hesitate or panic occurs. During working hours, these can be quite crude (thermal) sensors. Their task is to correct the administrator's mistake if he hoped to get by with minor destruction until the last minute, and when the fire broke out, he could no longer approach the extinguishing system control panel.
Evacuation management
In addition to fire extinguishing, the second, very important system is the evacuation management system. Many clubs are located in converted basements or other premises of a different purpose. Their architecture is very confusing, and it is hardly possible to find an emergency exit (also known as a service entrance), although there may even be several of these exits. Exit signs can make the situation easier. In a complex configuration of halls, it may even be reasonable to install controlled signs (or several signs, switched on at the operator's discretion), which will show the correct evacuation route depending on the location of the fire. Regulatory documents interpret the required number of signs quite freely. Unlike mandatory «Exit» signs above the doors, additional signs, perhaps combined with emergency lights, do not necessarily have to be on all the time (and spoil the romantic interior). Let them be considered light alarms and switched on only when necessary.
And of course, emergency lighting. It must be there. Even if there is no fire, if the power goes out and there is no emergency lighting, a fire is very likely to happen. The natural reaction of the public is to make a torch out of a napkin. The easiest way to make emergency lights is to make them autonomous. If they are powered centrally, it is very likely that during a fire their power supply will be disrupted. Even fire-resistant cables will not save you from a short circuit in one of the lights, and it is very difficult to ensure truly fire-resistant cable routing in operating premises. After all, for this, the cable must be laid directly on the supporting surface, so that no other cables or decorative elements tear our wonderful fire-resistant cable.
Sound notification
It is very sad that in our country there is no standardized fire alarm signal. Sound warning systems, even when they exist and are properly installed, are not immediately perceived by the public as an alarm signal. Even a voice announcement can be perceived as a joke. In many European countries, signals are standardized and, moreover, drills are held regularly. Even I have repeatedly happened to come across drills in hotels during short business trips. Of course, for example, the English are not Germans; as soon as they hear that the alarm is a drill, they turn around and go back to sleep. But all these regular drills, starting from school, instill an unambiguous and precise reaction to a familiar signal. Of course, this request is addressed mainly to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, but the owners of entertainment establishments, especially clubs, with a more or less regular clientele, can also take some measures. Everyone understands short lectures on rescue equipment before a flight. Similarly, cafes and restaurants could at least once every few days make short announcements about evacuation routes, turn on signs and let people hear a sample fire alarm. Regular customers will remember. Such announcements, of course, do not correspond to the entertainment nature of the establishment, but, on the other hand, they have a calming effect on the public, emphasizing that this establishment takes full care of its customers. At least for the next year, while the memory of the Perm tragedy is fresh, customers will certainly react positively to such information.