The Sochi Winter Olympics are officially underway, and with thousands of spectators flocking to Olympic Park venues to view the grandest international sporting event; we too can’t help but to think about safety. There are obviously other safety issues facing this year’s games, but have Olympic housing and venues been prepared for a fire emergency? Packed dormitories and arenas are highly susceptible to fire emergencies, and if one in fact did occur, would athletes and spectators be able to exit quickly to safety?
Leading up to this year’s games, Russia has been noticeably behind in some of the construction of the venues and housing units. That being said, it leaves us to wonder about the architecture of these buildings that were put up in such a hurry. In dormitories, passive fire protection elements are crucial for compartmentalization reasons. If a fire was to break out in one room, dampers, doors, and firestop would all work together in order to keep that fire contained to its point of origin. If these elements don’t work or maybe even don’t exist, a fire could easily spread throughout the dorm putting athletes in harm’s way. Also, if a fire breaks out in a packed arena during an event, would spectators be able to easily find their way out? Photoluminescent egress marking paths should mark the direct path to safety, but with the venues being put up so quickly, were these crucial fire safety elements included in the construction?
Undoubtedly other threats surrounding the games are of the utmost importance to event security. However, it could be a costly mistake to overlook the issue of fire safety at events that draw such enormous crowds. One could only hope that all proper precautions were taken in preparing for such a spectacular event, and that all athletes and spectators remain safe throughout the 2 week duration of the games. To learn how to protect your venues and dormitories from the spread of fire, visit www.lsslifesafetyservices.com for more information.