After poring over preliminary evidence from the February 20 fire at the Rhode Island club that killed 99 people, various associations and government officials have come to the same conclusion — the fire could have been prevented if the club had active sprinklers.

At the time of the inferno, the Station, and thousands of other nightclubs nationwide, weren't required by law to install sprinklers. That's likely to change.

On Thursday, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a non-profit group that proposes fire safety standards, approved a new fire code mandating sprinklers for every club in the country that holds 300 people or more. In addition, the organization appointed several members to investigate whether clubs housing as few as 50 patrons should be required to install sprinklers. It also recommended mandatory crowd-safety training for employees of clubs holding 50 or more. The NFPA isn't a governing body and has no authority to pass laws, but its research and decisions have often been referred to as a basis for regulation and legislation across the country.

The NFPA meeting was held at Boston's World Trade Center and preceded by a speech by Rhode Island Fire Marshal Irving "Jesse" Owens, whose nephew, Chris, was one of nearly 200 people injured in the blaze.

During the session, the NFPA also discussed possible new recommendations concerning wall paint and decorations in clubs, space issues, exiting arrangements and inspection and permit requirements.

At the same time the NFPA was meeting in Boston, members of the U.S. Congress in Washington were discussing the use of sprinklers in clubs. After hearing testimony from a survivor of the Station fire, Rhode Island Representative James R. Langevin (D) proposed legislation that would give tax breaks to businesses that install sprinklers. He was backed by his Republican counterpart Patrick J. Kennedy and Pennsylvania Representative Curt Weldon (R).

And at the Massachusetts State Legislature, the Public Safety Committee approved a bill that would require every single nightclub in the state to have a sprinkler system by July 1, 2004. The proposal needs to be approved by the full legislature, but is expected to pass. It would also ban indoor firework displays at all clubs.

On Monday, Boston's mayor signed an executive order banning pyrotechnics at all of the city's 210 nightclubs, and the mayor of Los Angeles passed an ordinance requiring clubs to announce where emergency exits and lighting are before shows start. Clubs must also have diagrams of all exits in visible spots in the bathrooms (see "Boston Bans Pyro In Clubs, Other Cities Toughen Inspections").

Look out for your own safety, and check out "How To Keep Yourself Safe If There's A Crowd Crush Or Fire At A Club."