Flora-Bama Vs. Escambia County Fire Marshal

Escambia County The Fire Marshal has problems with the decade old bar.

by Jene' Young

Published: Fri, May 15, 2009 - 8:27 pm CST

When most people think of Flora-bama, they think of a good times with an interesting backdrop. The Fire Marshal thinks of fire safety violations.
Dale Baker with the Escambia County Building Inspections Division, who works with the Fire Marshal says, "No one's picking on anybody, we're just trying to be even and apply the state fire codes evenly across the county."
Joe Gilchrist, the co-owner of Flora-bama thinks his bar is safe, and he is just trying to keep his employees. "During the hurricane we lost some primary parts to our building, so we had to make due with tents. We had to make due to keep the costumers going so we can employee people and send money to government."

According to the Florida Safety Code, a nightclub with more than 300 people needs to have both a fire alarm system and sprinkler system. Florabama has neither.

Joe Gilchrist claims he has never seen the safety code before. And questioned whether it was retroactive. Dale Baker says yes.
He said this code went into effect for all existing buildings at the end of last year.

The owners of Flora-Bama sent a letter to the fire marshal in March stating, "We will be contacting a contractor to install a fire alarm and sprinkler system. The plans for this system will be submitted within thirty days.
Fast forward to May 1st, in a letter from the Fire Marshal to Florabama which states, "No plans have been received and no contractors have applied for permits on your behalf.

Gilchrist adds, "We think if there is something to be fixed we should know what it is and we should fix it. they keep changing their definition of what the problem is."

Until the fire alarm and sprinkler system is installed, only 300 people are allowed inside the room known as the 'bra room.' The Fire Marshal will be conducting spot checks through Memorial Day Weekend, which Gilchrist says could slow sales.

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