SimplexGrinnell to Educate Nightclub, Restaurant Owners in Rhode Island about Fire Regulations

Restaurant and nightclub owners required to install fire sprinkler systems under Rhode Island's new fire- safety law will learn the latest about compliance and enforcement at a special Oct. 22 fire and life-safety conference and exposition sponsored by SimplexGrinnell, a business unit of Tyco Fire & Security.

The day-long event, to be held at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick, gives business owners, property managers, enforcement officials and industry professionals an opportunity to share information and insights on the law and discuss the best courses of action for meeting its sprinkler and alarm system mandates.

"As an industry leader and a company with a wealth of fire systems expertise, SimplexGrinnell welcomes the opportunity to bring together many of the players who have a key role in implementing the Rhode Island law," says Bruce Fraser, Director of Industry Relations at SimplexGrinnell. "Our goal is to share vital information and knowledge in an educational forum that furthers the understanding of the law and supports the compliance effort."

Wayne D. Moore, a principal with Hughes Associates, Inc., a leading fire protection engineering and code-consulting firm, will give the keynote address. A recognized industry authority on fire protection and fire alarm systems who works out of the firm's Warwick, RI office, Moore currently serves as Chairman of the National Fire Alarm Code Technical Correlating Committee. He is the editor of the 1993 edition and co-editor of the 1996, 1999 and 2002 editions of the National Fire Alarm Code Handbook (R).

The event includes a panel discussion, and attendees will also learn about selecting the best sprinkler/alarm technology and about planning and financing a fire protection upgrade. For more information on the conference, visit http://www.simplexgrinnell.com/2004expo or call 1-800-919-1800.

Rhode Island's Comprehensive Fire Safety Act of 2003 took effect on Feb. 20, the one-year anniversary of the nightclub fire at The Station Nightclub in West Warwick that killed 100 people and injured about 200 others. The law reflects the work of a 21-member commission that was appointed following the tragic fire. A similar law was recently passed in Massachusetts, and other states are also moving toward requiring sprinkler systems in certain buildings.