Sep 21, 2006 4:02 pm US/Eastern
How Fire Laws Changed Since R.I. Nightclub Fire
by Joe Shortsleeve
BOSTON (CBS4) ―
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The fire at the Station nightclub killed 100 people in Feb. 2003
CBS
Fire laws in Massachusetts, as they related to nightclubs, have been overhauled as a result of the Rhode Island tragedy. Public safety officials still say there is much more that needs to be done.
Al Gray's 22-year-old son Derek never made it out of the Station nightclub.
A greiving father and an expert on fire safety. Al was on the Massachusetts task force that helped rewrite nightclub fire laws.
"We got sprinklers in some of these fire traps that needed them," said Gray.
The new law in Masachusetts says clubs that hold more than 100 people must have sprinkler systems by November 2007.
A new sprinkler system at the White Horse Tavern in Brighton cost the owners $80,000.
"Well it was somewhat disruptive and very expensive but we are now in compliance with the new law," said tavern owner Doug Bacon.
Pyrotechnics are now illegal and liquor license renewals trigger a visit from the fire deparment.
Nightclub owners face tougher penalties, including jail, if fire code violations cause death or injury.
"Instead of having to pursue a more broad based manslaughter charge the criminal code of the Commowealth specifically addresses fire building code violations more on point," said State Fire Marshal Steve Coan.
But much more needs to be done. Al Gray says places like VFW halls should have sprinklers, as well as college dormitories.
Many nightclub owners are not happy with the sprinkler law.
There have been 355 appeals filed in cities across the state.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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