The good news is, local venues have a consistent record of good inspection reports.

The bad news is, fire officials worry about underground raves and dance parties in buildings and spaces not meant to be clubs.

Olympia's inspectors were among many nationwide out in force after the disaster, hoping to prevent another.

"Anytime something like that happens, everybody takes a hard look at their codes," said Olympia Fire Marshal George Ziesemer.

The Olympian reviewed safety inspection reports over the past two years that showed the most common violations in local nightclubs have been nonfunctional emergency lights, exits blocked by debris, wiring not up to code and kitchen fume hoods that needed service.

Fire officials say Washington's strict fire codes help prevent a disaster similar to the one in Rhode Island. In addition, local night clubs, taverns and other high-occupancy buildings are inspected twice annually for any fire code violations, Ziesemer said.

The blaze in West Warwick, R.I., was ignited from pyrotechnics used by the rock band Great White during a concert.

Washington's fireworks law allows pyrotechnic shows only under certain conditions.

In Olympia, pyrotechnics haven't been an issue in local clubs, officials and concert promoters say. Only once in recent memory has an Olympia club owner been cited for hosting a band that used sparklers during a performance without permission. The owner was fined $773 for false alarm fees, Ziesemer said.

Violations such as non-working exit lights are dealt with immediately by the fire inspector. Most owners are cooperative about making repairs. Fire marshals ensure safety problems are fixed right away, Ziesemer said.

"We have a very good success rate with most of ours," he said.

Since 1999, there have been 64 fires reported in bars and nightclubs statewide. None of those blazes was caused by pyrotechnics or fireworks, and nobody was killed, said Anjela Foster, Washington state's deputy fire marshal.

State law requires pyrotechnic shows be performed under the supervision of a licensed operator, Foster said.

Audrey Henley, a local music promoter and manager, said she's never been to a concert in Olympia where pyrotechnics were part of the show. She said pyrotechnics are more associated with heavy metal bands, which aren't a significant part of the local music scene.

Henley, who also works with bands in Seattle, said there have been times in other areas where musicians set up "pyro" without first notifying the club's owner. For effects, bands use sparklers, fireworks, flashing devices, or alcohol to blow fireballs.

"People like to be thrilled. They like to see fire. They like to see a band that has stage presence," she said.

Henley said she expects most club owners to be more prohibitive of pyrotechnics after the tragedy in Rhode Island.

"I think every Kiss tribute band is just screwed. They're not going to be able to use pyrotechnics," she said.

The disaster in Rhode Island closely followed another tragedy in a Chicago nightclub, where 21 people were trampled to death while trying to get out.

The tragedy in Chicago is another example of why fire marshals check to ensure exit lights are functioning and emergency exits are open and unblocked.

Studies have shown that people tend to exit the same way they came in, even during an emergency, causing everyone to flood to one door, Olympia Fire Capt. Rob Bradley said.

"People don't have situational awareness," Bradley said.

Jake Hathcock, a bartender at the Eastside Club on Fourth Avenue, said his club doesn't usually draw large crowds. The club features bands about once a month.

"It's not really what our venue is," he said.

But he said the club keeps track of patrons with a clicker. Anyone over the club's capacity is held outside the front door.

Hathcock also said the Olympia Fire Department is thorough about making sure clubs meet fire codes. Sometimes they visit more than twice a year, he said.

"I've lived in a lot of towns and I've never seen anyone do that. It's really good," Hathcock said.

Ziesemer said police have been helpful by stopping in at local clubs and calling fire marshals when they think crowds have surpassed the building's limit.

"We've had really good success with police departments as well as owners," he said.

The biggest concern to fire officials is underground raves and dance parties.

"It's always on our mind," Ziesemer said.

In 2001, fire marshals discovered an underground venue called "Arrow Space" above the Dumpster Values store at 117 Washington St.

On the day fire marshals came by, teenagers were gathering to dance. The crowd was beyond capacity and there was only one exit leading to a narrow stairway that descended into an alley, Capt. Bradley said.

If there had been a fire near the exit, no one would have been able to make it out, Bradley said.

"It could have been ugly. It could have been on CNN like Rhode Island has been," he said.

Fire marshals are clued into those types of situations from tips, or 9-1-1 calls or when firefighters see people frequenting vacant buildings, he said.

"Not too much gets by us," he said.

State law requires drinking establishments larger than 5,000 square feet to install sprinkler systems. However, the law is not retroactive for businesses built before 1997. Many of Olympia's clubs and taverns were built before then and don't have the sprinkler protection, Ziesemer said.

But there are some variables fire codes and inspections can't control. Foster said it's important for people to be aware of their surroundings and take note of emergency exits.

"Ultimately, it's up to the patrons to take that responsibility into their own hands," Foster said.

Scott Gutierrez covers crime and law enforcement for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-754-5465 or by e-mail at sgutierr@olympia.gannett.com.