While I truly appreciate Elizabeth Grady’s intention in the Feb. 1 edition of The Bona Venture to shine a light on fire safety issues after the Brazilian nightclub tragedy, I must take exception with her assertion the campus’ Rathskeller has only one fire exit.
The Rathskeller has three emergency exits clearly marked with lighted exit signs. They are located in the main dining area in all three remote corners of the room: one by the stage, one by the shuffleboard table and one by the main entrance/exit. In addition, there are brand new canopies in the front of the building that cover those exits. These were installed in the summer of 2012.
When those exit doors open at the bottom, loud bells sound that help direct people to those locations from inside areas of the room. There are also two additional unmarked exits inside, one leading to the outside from behind the bar area, and one that discharges to the main dining area upstairs, with a new staircase installed in the summer of 2012.
The university has made great strides in the last several years to increase fire safety, both practically and in terms of awareness.
Sincerely,
Ralph Aloia
Fire/Life Safety Officer,
Office of Safety & Security
