1. The Station Nightclub Fire Evaluation
By:
Nickolas Hatinger
Megan Vivian

2. Introduction The Station nightclub Fire ignited by pyrotechnics
Warwick, Rhode Island
February 20, 2003
Fire ignited by pyrotechnics
100 fatalities and 200 injuries
NIST, (2005)
NIST, (2005)

3. Structural Layout and Materials
Built in 1946
Minimal remodeling
1-story wood frame
Area of 412 m2
4 doors
2 sets of windows
on north face
Interior Combustibles
Polyurethane foam lining
Ceiling tile, wood paneling, carpet, and gypsum board
NIST, (2005)

4. Timeline of Events Human Response Fire Growth No initial reaction
30 seconds: people began to evacuate dance floor
2/3 of the total 450 attempt to egress through the front entrance
Crowd crush develops
90 seconds: toxic levels inside were beyond human tolerance
96 people perished in the fire
4 later died due to injuries
Fire Growth
Pyrotechnic display ignited two points of the polyurethane foam lining on both of stage
Ceiling and wall materials ignite
41 seconds: fire alarms and emergency strobe lights
90 seconds: 1 foot of black smoke formed on ceiling
5 minutes: flames reaching outside of the building

5. Location of Recovered Victims
NIST, (2005)

6. Fire Service Response
60 seconds: Rhode Island Emergency 911 Center notified
5 minutes: First response team arrived
6 minutes: First use of water
Focused on aiding victims at front entrance
Multi-county collaboration from EMS

7. Fire Protection Features
Fluorescent exit signs above each door
Fire extinguishers
Fire alarms and emergency strobe lights
No sprinkler system (not required per code)
Exit Sign
Fire Extinguisher
Fire Alarm Strobe
NIST, (2005)

8. Aftermath Structural Effects Casualties NIST Investigation
25 minutes: flames visible from roof
45 minutes: major portion of main roof collapsed
60 minutes: sunroom roof collapsed
Most of structure eventually destroyed
Casualties
100 fatalities
200 injuries
NIST Investigation
Owners charged with 100 involuntary counts of manslaughter

9. NIST Investigation Computer Modeling Smoke and fire spread
90 seconds: temperatures and heat fluxes at levels that lead to incapacitation or death
Egress Simulations
Minimum egress time was estimated to be 188 seconds
Not all people would have been able to evacuate
Presuming two exit doors clogged within 30 and 90 seconds, egress time was 341 seconds

10. NIST Demonstration
Sprinkler system significance
NIST, (2005)

11. NIST Recommendations
Forbid materials which easily ignite and rapidly propagate flames
All nightclubs should have sprinkler systems
Increasing the factor of safety on egress times
Strengthening pyrotechnic device provisions

12. Conclusions Flammable materials led to rapid fire growth
Inebriated patrons
Poor egress considered natural human tendencies (evacuating through front door)
Sprinklers could have prevented flashover and reduced causalities