But whose responsibility was it? The owner to contact the Authority Having Jurisdiction who granted the exception? The Authority Having Jurisdiction to make routine inspections of the business to catch the change in operation? Or maybe the fire alarm company who was conducting inspections of the system, which is obviously out of their scope. The deli-restaurant closing nullified the constantly occupied location exception and set the stage for disaster. There are many factors to blame, and many contributed to loss of life, but the incident rested solely on the change of the use of the occupancy. As in most fires, the majority of fatalities were due to smoke inhalation.

Other factors such as locked stairwell doors, and inadequate smoke control, allowed toxic gases and by-products of fire to travel up elevator shafts and star wells. Without a sprinkler system the fire quickly spread, trapping occupants on upper floors. The fire quickly spread to the main casino with a fire load of furnishings, as well as 12 tons of glue contained in the ceiling tiles. On the morning of Novema fire broke out in a remote section of the deli-restaurant. At this point the operation of the facility changed, affecting the exception. Shortly after opening, the restaurant ceased to operate continuously, and closed at midnight. The exception was granted due to the 24-hour nature of the casino and eatery, such being a constantly attended location. The MGM Grand Hotel opened in Las Vegas in 1972, and as always to save money despite codes in place, without a sprinkler system in the main casino and adjoining deli-restaurant. However, failure of communication was to blame as well.Īt this point the operation of the facility changed, affecting the exception The MGM Grand Hotel Fire of 1980 was attributed to the lack of sprinklers in the casino and adjoining restaurant. There are many exceptions for “ constantly attended locations” in the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (NFPA 72) but what if that changes? In the life of a structure the occupancy type and use can change, which may have deadly consequences. A Case Study in the Failure of Communication

Casino fire of 1980 mgm las vegas