In Poland we have many bars and restaurants, e.g. with wooden roofs or walls. They have their own charm and good atmosphere, but they are also flammable materials. Like the roof covering in a Swiss bar in Crans-Montana.
Fire fountains placed in a champagne bottle were enough. It ended in tragedy there. In the fire in mid-December in Zakopane, reported by the media, it was avoided, although two people had to be resuscitated, fortunately successfully.
Videos from a bar fire on Krupówki in Zakopane show how quickly the fire can spread. On December 19, minutes were enough for the wooden restaurant to burn down.
What is the fire safety of buildings such as bars, restaurants and clubs? The regulations impose high requirements on owners and managers. We also explain what mistakes are most often made by owners and managers of such facilities and what to do if you are a customer of a facility where a fire breaks out.
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What are the safety requirements that affect fire safety
— Construction and fire protection regulations impose a number of obligations on owners and managers of these facilities. This is due to the fact that many people may stay in such places at the same time, and the conditions of use (including limited visibility, noise, decorative elements) may impede efficient evacuation – explains Senior Brig. Karol Kierzkowski, press spokesman for the Chief Commander of the State Fire Service.
The key solutions affecting fire safety include:
- using non-flammable materials on ceilings and at least flame-retardant materials on walls,
- providing at least two emergency exits in premises intended for more than 50 people,
- in the case of underground floors – with the expected number of people exceeding 100 – the need to use smoke removal solutions/installations,
- development and provision of Fire Safety Instructions,
- equipping the facility with hand-held fire-fighting equipment, including fire extinguishers.
— Particular attention should be paid to organizational issues, including: safe use of open fire (e.g. candles, tealights, special effects) and preparation of occasional decorations of the premises – decorations made of flammable materials can significantly accelerate the development of fire and increase smoke – emphasizes Karol Kierzkowski.
What are the building owner's obligations in terms of fire protection?
Let us add that the obligations related to fire protection are strictly defined in the regulations. Basically, the obligations rest with the owner of the building, regardless of whether it is a bar, restaurant, club, etc. He may entrust these obligations to the building manager or user, on the basis of a concluded civil law contract establishing management or use. If there is no such agreement, the responsibility for fire protection rests with the owner of the building.
The building owner must, among other things:
— equip the building with the required fire-fighting devices (e.g. internal hydrants) and fire extinguishers, and then inspect them so that they are “in full technical and functional condition”,
— ensure safety and the possibility of evacuation for people staying in the building, including marking escape routes and placing instructions on what to do in the event of a fire in visible places,
— introduce and implement fire safety instructions and establish procedures in the event of a fire, natural disaster or other local threat,
— train employees in fire protection regulations (PPOŻ).
All this also needs to be documented. In buildings, electrical and ventilation installations must be inspected. Currently, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are also required. Therefore, owners must have documentation that confirms, among other things, that such inspections have been carried out.
These and many other obligations are imposed on owners and managers by the Fire Protection Act (Journal of Laws of 2025, item 188, see Article 4).
They are further specified in the Regulation of the Minister of Interior and Administration of June 7, 2010 on fire protection of buildings, other construction facilities and areas (consolidated text: Journal of Laws of 2023, item 822, as amended, which entered into force on December 23, 2024, Journal of Laws, item 1716).
What mistakes do owners make and what are the consequences for them?
The State Fire Service verifies whether the building owner or its manager has met fire safety requirements.
Karol Kierzkowski explains that the most common irregularities revealed during inspections are: among others: :
- obstructing or blocking escape routes and exits,
- introducing decor or arrangement elements made of flammable materials,
- lack of proper preparation of staff in the event of a fire,
- insufficient attention to the technical condition of installations and devices and inspections of hand-held fire extinguishing equipment,
- allowing the permitted number of people in the facility to be exceeded.
If the owner or manager does not meet fire safety requirements, they threaten him financial penalties, must also remove irregularities and purchase additional equipment (e.g. fire extinguishers). Firefighters may also temporarily close a facility that does not meet fire protection requirements.
What to do in case of fire?
Customers of bars, restaurants or clubs should also know how to behave in the event of a fire breaking out in the premises. Put out the fire or run away?
— The priority is always the protection of life and health. Extinguishing a fire with a fire extinguisher is only appropriate when the fire is in its initial stages, does not cause heavy smoke, and does not expose people to danger or cut off the escape route. In other cases you should immediately start the evacuation, warn others, leave the facility using designated routes and call for help by calling 112 – advises Karol Kierzkowski.
What changed in the regulations after the tragedy in the escape room
Let us also remind you that from every place in the facility intended for people, appropriate evacuation conditions must be ensured, enabling quick and safe exit from the danger or fire zone.
Moreover, after the tragedy in the escape room in 2019, more detailed provisions on evacuation were added to the regulation (paragraph 17a of the regulation of the Minister of Interior and Administration of June 7, 2010 on fire protection of buildings, other structures and areas).
The owner, manager or user of a facility where an activity such as an escape room is conducted must regularly conduct evacuation tests (at least once every two years) and check the documentation. Of course, it also has all the other responsibilities as in the case of other buildings.
Author: Łukasz Zalewski, journalist of the Law section of Business Insider Polska
