Still no word from the legistlative committee established in the RI Senate to study fire code regulations after the Station fire.
But take a look at the National Fire Protection Association's proposed fire code changes


Proposed changes include the deletion of the 'grandfather claus' which requires older buildings to meet 1968's fire code regulations instead of current ones.
Granted, some clubs have, of thier own volition, updated thier fire safety systems beyond 1968's guide. But in this scenario, I'd imagine that half the bars/clubs in Providence that are, largely, housed in older or renovated mill buildings would suddenly have 35 years worth of catch up work to do in safety precautions.
Undoubtedly, a costly measure. This doesn't even include the cost of other proposed changes, including the presence of police officers and/or a uniformed firefighter (depending on capacity designation). Whether or not most of these businesses, which get by on a month-to-month basis, would be able to cover these costs without shutting down seems sketchy at best.
Of course I want club patrons to be safe but the fact is that I worry about an already struggling arts/music scene being shut down completely. Part me of even wishes that this would only effect Rhode Island, but the saddest part is that it won't. These are proposed national changes. What's even worse is what will happen to underground venues who are already quieting down out of fear of losing their spaces or homes.
And what I can't stop wondering is when are all of us clubgoers/music fans going to start speaking out about this? When it's too late?