The lines that bend around the block outside Auburn favorites like Sky Bar and 1716 are at first, discouraging, but never threatening.
Unfortunately, for students in Santa Marie, Brazil that situation led to at least 233 deaths at "Kiss" a local nightclub for students, according to media reports.
On Sunday, Jan. 27 chaos erupted as the club's pyrotechnics ignited a fire that released toxic smoke which caused a stampede of people traveling toward a single exit only to be blocked by bouncers.
Here in Auburn, thorough measures are taken toward safety regulations. It's all about permits and fire-prevention systems.
Officials abide by an updated international building code to prevent situations like these.
Occupancy levels are determined by a particular building size: 15 square-feet per person in table and chair areas and seven square-feet for standing areas. Requirements for door width are half an inch per person.
"We are currently using the most current edition, the 2012 International Building Code," said Andy Meeks, building official for the Auburn Codes Enforcement Division. "Prior to that we were using the Standard Building Code, but they've quit publishing it. Several model code groups in the country got together and started publishing the International Building Code."
Wheeler Casey, general manager of En Fuego, said building codes have certain standards that should be met.
The CED performs frequent occupancy load checks. Overcrowding can lead to a first warning, then a citation which will require the facility operator to go to Municipal Court.
Casey says their crowd control policy is "one in, one out."
In recent years a number of overcrowding violations have been issued and a number of blocked exit violations, which Meeks said is "pretty serious."
The CED checks sprinkler systems on a quarterly basis and alarm systems every six months. The Fire Department has annual pre-fire inspections for every building in the city.
"We'll look at the site and situations at that time," said Lee Lamar, chief of the Auburn Fire Department. "If we do have an alarm there, we'll look at the system and see what condition it's in."
As soon as the sprinkler system activates, the alarm sounds and the Fire Department is alerted, said Lamar. He said that the automatic sprinkler systems provide "a great level of protection."
According to Casey, regulations are strictly enforced with frequent fire marshal visits, especially on game days.
"We have sprinkler systems imposed," Casey said. "We have automatic fire systems in place in the kitchen and exit signs posted everywhere."
According to Lamar, for pyrotechnic use everything must be licensed, regulated, rated and tested. For pyrotechnics to even be used there must be approval by the Fire Department, the Police Department and the Fire Marshal's office.
"A lot of bands for example, now, at least in our area, instead of using pyrotechnics they're using the devices which use CO2, extinguishers and cryogenics for hazing and smoke effects," Lamar said. "They're a lot safer, they don't require a permitting process. They really don't pose any hazard to anybody."
According to Lamar, if ever a fire-situation arises the Fire Department would be prepared with two-thirds of their resources: three engine companies, a ladder company and a battalion chief.
"Our fire codes are our first line of defense on these things," Lamar said. "By making sure the buildings are designed properly and provided with a high enough level of protection and also making sure the exits are right."
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