KENNEWICK, Wash.- NBC Right Now is digging deeper into the safety of local bars and night clubs.
Many people probably don't think about how safe an establishment is in case a fire ensues causing patrons panic and confusion.
That's why the Kennewick Fire Department is working with local bars and nightclubs to compete yearly safety hazard inspections to make sure establishments are staying up to code.
Kennewick Deputy Fire Marshal, Joe Terpenning said the inspections check to for fire resistant signs or anything hanging on the walls, working fire extinguishers and the property number of exits per building capacity.
Washington state lawmakers changed the definition of nightclubs requiring retroactive installation of fire sprinklers with dance floors or gathering areas larger than 350-square feet.
Lorna Davis with the Downtown Kennewick Bar, Branding Iron said patrons that step foot into their establishment can expect to have fun, good refreshments and a safe exit.
"We can't have a lot of dangling wires. They have to be conduit on the wall and have mats on the floors so people can't slip or slide or have carpeting," said Lorna Davis.
Ice Harbor's General Manager, Jackson Davis said, "It also helps that we have a lot of our staff first aid and CPR trained."
Kennewick's Deputy Fire Marshal said the use of pyrotechnics is illegal inside bars and nightclubs unless licensed pyrotechnicians have prior approval from the fire department.
The Kennewick Fire Department has not responded to any fire calls like that in the past couple years.
