Brazil nightclub tragedy highlights the importance of effective fire safety legislation

The next time you find yourself cursing the perceived hassle and expense involved in having fire alarm systems set up at your investment property or business premises to meet your legal obligations with regard to fire safety, consider the recent horrible nightclub blaze in Brazil and the subsequent fallout. Here at Triple Star Fire (http://www.triplestarfire.com), we don't believe that anybody should enter a supposedly safe property and not come out with their lives.

And yet, more than 230 people were killed as a result of the latest blaze on the other side of the Atlantic, and with Brazil set to host the World Cup in 2014, as well as the 2016 Olympics, many observers have expressed anxiety about the suitability of the nation's present safety legislation. Indeed, the country's Congress will be asked to enact a new federal bill in an attempt to improve the matter before these sporting tournaments take place.

Such a bill would cover fire prevention measures in addition to the licensing of clubs and mass events. At the moment, various state and city laws exist, over which the new legislation would take precedence. The high number of deaths in the tragedy in the southern city of Santa Maria shows the very real downside of the inconsistent standards to which many of the country's safety inspectors presently work.

In the case of the Santa Maria fire, the high death toll has been particularly attributed to the stampede as the blaze began, with only one exit being available through which clubbers could escape. Many bodies were found trapped in the toilets of the club, indicating that they were mistaken for an exit. This led congressman Paulo Pimenta to comment to BBC Brasil that nationwide rules about emergency lights and exit signs would also be established by the new federal legislation.

Here at Triple Star Fire, we believe that there are many sad lessons that can be learned from these terrible events from the point of view of any British business that may be obligated to install and maintain fire alarms and associated equipment. First of all, the causes of the fire and subsequent fatalities indicate the often complicated nature of fire safety. However, they also send a clear signal to any wavering UK businesses of the importance of adequate fire risk assessment and safety equipment.

As a specialist in fire safety equipment including fire alarms, fire extinguishers and even fire telephone and disabled refuge systems, Triple Star Fire (http://www.triplestarfire.com) continually emphases how even the simplest of measures can make a big difference in saving the lives of a building's occupants, should the worst occur. Visit us online now to discover more about our cost-effective solutions.

Editor’s Note: Triple Star Fire (http://www.triplestarfire.com) is represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Please direct all press queries to Louise Byrne. Email: louise@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.