If you are a bar owner or manager, or a special-event co-ordinator, consider yourself a safety steward for your staff and customers. You are responsible for making sure your premises and equipment meet all fire safety regulations and other licensing standards on a continuous basis, you should be aware of what to do in an emergency and what the Fire Department will inspect when they visit your premise. Before opening for business you should be aware of the items on the
bar and nightclub safety checklist and check the following.
Check your exits
- Are the corridors and aisles leading to the exits clear?
- Are the doors and discharge areas free of obstructions? These can include patrons, tables, chairs, boxes, temporary service stations (beer tubs) and other debris.
- Are the exit signs lighted and clearly visible?
- Do the doors have appropriate hardware? (Panic hardware – doors that open by a press bar – is required if your capacity exceeds 100 people.)
- Do the exit doors open easily? All exit doors must be free of any bolts, bars, chains or other devices that require keys or special knowledge to open. The doors must open in the direction of travel and be easily opened from the inside. Exits must be free of any outside impediment such as snow or parked cars. Exits should NEVER be locked or blocked during business hours.
Check your stairwells
- Are the stairs and immediate area free of storage material and other obstructions?
- Do the doors to the stairwell open and close properly?
- Are stairwell doors equipped ONLY with proper latching and release devices?
Check your safety equipment
- Are the emergency lights, extinguishers and fire alarms operational and in good working order?
- Is your Maximum Occupant Load card in plain view and located at/near the main entrance?
Check your emergency access route
- Is there proper signage (e.g. fire lane)?
- Is the route clear of parked vehicles and other obstructions?
- Is there unobstructed access to fire hydrants, fire hose connections and the main entrance?
