The Santa Maria Fire and its AftermathReal Change or Lost Opportunity?

Marcelo Lima – FM GlobalEFSN - Fire Sprinkler International 2014

Allianz

FM Global

ABNT - National Association of Technical Standards

College of Architecture – São Paulo University

College of Engineering – Pernambuco University

Brazilian Sprinkler Association

IPT – Fire Laboratory

São Paulo Fire Service (honorary member)

www.sprinklerbrasil.org.br

Brazilian Sprinkler Institute

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=aTLfRcjQ1oqpLM&tbnid=gGS-MjkjdM1yuM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://badalovip.com/boate-kiss-uma-tragedia-e-varias-licoes/&ei=_2rpUpfbC_OosQT1-4GIBg&bvm=bv.60157871,d.eW0&psig=AFQjCNG6ySYcrUfWOlJNKW8k6vU4hgAqrA&ust=1391115191637431

São Paulo

Rio de Janeiro

Santa Maria

• Federation: 26 states and one federal district• Fire legislation – state – 27 different fire codes• Fire protection standards – national

Kiss Nightclub

Source: O Globo - http://oglobo.globo.com/infograficos/incendio-boate-santamaria-2013/

• Occupancy• Storage (1950’s)• Classrooms (2003)• Nightclub (2010)

• Area: 638 m2

• Max number of occupants: 700

• Revamp in 2012 – polyurethane insulation

Source: TV Globo - Fantástico

Source: TV Globo - Fantástico

Source: TV Globo - Fantástico

The Santa Maria Fire

Source: O Globo - http://oglobo.globo.com/infograficos/incendio-boate-santamaria-2013/

Media reaction

Popular reaction

Whose fault is it?

Troubling quotes

“The code is good, it needs better enforcement”

Geraldo AlckminGovernor, São Paulo state

“Sprinklers shouldn’t be used in these situations because floors become slippery…”

Fire Protection ExpertPresident, SOBES

“In developed countries, smoke control systems are essential. This preventive approach is often superior to automatic sprinklers”

CREA/RS report

What Now? Changes?

Legislative Activity – National Congress

House of rep-resentatives

Senate Total0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

14

2

16

32

9

41

85

13

Before Santa MariaAfter Santa MariaSprinklers

• Federal House of Representatives – PL 2020

• Rio Grande do Sul state – New Fire Code

• National Fire Code

What Now?

• Approved by the House in April/2014• Any occupancy with more than 100 occupants • Fire department

– Mandatory fire department approval prior to emission of license– Cities without fire departments – municipality’s responsibility

• Fire sprinklers– Sprinklers considered a priority in the approval process

• Education– Fire protection discipline required on all Engineering and Architecture

courses

Federal House of Representatives – “Kiss Nightclub Bill”

• Accountability– It is a crime not meeting fire department requirements,

independently of the event of a fire (6 months to 2 years)– Mayor and fire department chief can be charged with

“improper administrative conduct”

• Fire Data Base– Mandates the creation of a federal urban fires data base

• End of “comanda” system• Consumer law

– Consumer law can be applied in case of overcrowding of public venues

Federal House of Representatives – “Kiss Bill”

São PauloRio de Janeiro

Santa Maria

Rio Grande do SulComplete revision of fire code + legal responsibilities

BahiaFirst state fire code

RioReview of 1976 fire code

Santa CatarinaReview of 1976 fire code

GoiásReview of fire code

Minas GeraisMajor review of fire code

• National Fire Code– Attempt to create a national fire code– Based on Sao Paulo state fire code– Commission composed by 27 fire departments

and civil organizations– Not mandatory – model code concept

Municipalities

• Availability of regulators to discuss fire protection

• Fire sprinklers and fire hoses in the official Brazilian certification program

• Fire protection becoming a more familiar concept

• Fire reporting increased by factor of 4• ABNT fire protection standards• Market organization

Intangibles

World Cup Inaugural Stadium

Thank you

Marcelo Limamarcelo.lima@fmglobal.com