How many of you would drive a car down a mountain road without making sure the brakes worked or jump out of an airplane without making sure the parachute is securely attached to your back? The answer, I hope, is not many of you.

However, many of us may be placing ourselves in more dangerous situations everyday without even knowing it. What am I talking about? Life safety risks in assembly occupancies.

An assembly occupancy is defined by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) as “An occupancy used for a gathering of 50 or more persons for deliberation, worship, entertainment, eating, drinking, amusement, awaiting transportation or similar uses.”

Since most people enjoy going out, we encounter assembly occupancies on a regular basis. This could include going to a school play, attending a church service, dining at a favorite restaurant or watching a band at a nightclub with friends. In these cases, how often do we take the time to stop and consider:

• Where are the exits?
• How would I get out of here in a fire?
• Are there enough exits for all of these people?

  If you are like most people, the answer is not often enough. Each year, there are tragic news reports of fire and non-fire events in assembly occupancies with shocking death and injury tolls. Some recent incidents include:

• Fire in the Cromagnon Republic night club, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Dec. 30, 2004, 180 killed
• Fire in the Ycu√° Bola√±os Bot√°nico Supermarket, Asunci√≥n, Paraguay, Aug. 1, 2004, 400 killed
• Fire in The Station Nightclub, West Warwick, R.I., Feb. 20, 2003, 100 killed
• Panic evacuation in the E2 Nightclub, Chicago, Feb. 17, 2003, 21 killed

  As you can see, the issue of emergency exiting of public assembly occupancies is not unique to the United States. Below are some suggestions that can be easily performed and can help you decide if the building may be safe:

  1. Note the location of emergency exits when you enter a building and ensure that there is an adequate number. If the place has only one way in and out, use it at once.

  2. Ensure that exits are accessible and not locked or blocked. A business owner who allows an exit to be locked or blocked does not deserve your (or anyone else's) business.

  3. See if the building has emergency lighting. If you think the room is dark now, wait until the lights go out in an emergency.

  4. Gauge the size of the crowd. If the place is packed, you may want to go somewhere else — restroom lines alone can be hazardous.

  5. Be aware of your surroundings. Many assembly occupancies have dim lighting, and in a fire or power failure, it is a good idea to know where you are.

  6. Watch your alcohol consumption. Too much alcohol can impair your judgment and motor skills, which can endanger your ability to get out of a building in an emergency.

  Hopefully, the few minutes needed to scan the building are well worth the time and effort. No one ever heads out thinking tragedy may lie just ahead. Those who make plans in advance are much better prepared than those who do not.

  Tom Kiurski is training coordinator for the Livonia Fire Department.