Massachusetts Bill Requiring Sprinklers In Bars And Nightclubs Awaits Governor's Signature
BOSTON (AP) -- The toughest new fire regulations in Massachusetts since the infamous 1942 blaze at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub is awaiting Gov. Mitt Romney's signature.
The bill, given final approval by lawmakers on Wednesday, would require sprinklers in all nightclubs, bars, discos and dance halls with occupancy limits of 100 or more.
The bill also includes $10 million for firefighting grants, requires fire safety training for nightclub workers, renews funding for fire safety classes in schools and calls for stricter enforcement.
Supporters said the bill would make the most sweeping changes to the state's fire laws since the Cocoanut Grove fire, which killed 492 people. That fire forced changes in fire safety codes across the country.
But it was last year's fire at The Station, in West Warwick, R.I., which killed 100 concertgoers, that pressured lawmakers to act now.
An earlier version of the bill would have required sprinklers in bars and clubs with occupancy limits of 50 or more.
Lawmakers increased the limit to make the bill more palatable to the business community and round up enough votes, according to Sen. Stephen Brewer, D-Barre, who supports the bill.
If a smaller club violates its occupancy limits twice in the same year - or has just one particularly serious overcrowding violation - they will be required to shut down until they immediately install sprinklers under the bill.
Al Gray, whose 22-year-old son Derek Gray died in the Rhode Island fire, thanked lawmakers but said he wished the bill did more. He said every place people gather should be required to have sprinklers, including theaters and restaurants.
``You have large numbers of people and they could get hurt just as much as in a bar,'' the Dracut resident said. ``It's the right thing to do, to have sprinklers. That's public safety 101.''
Sen. Jarrett Barrios, D-Cambridge, said the bill focused on bars and nightclubs because those establishments were more prone to overcrowding. ``You don't cram people into restaurants,'' he said.
Bars and clubs that don't install sprinklers would lose their liquor license under the bill.
Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom said the bill mirrors many of Romney's own recommendations.
``We're pleased with the overall legislation and I would anticipate the governor would be signing it,'' he said.
