IF the Top Storey Club existed today, it would have to comply with the latest national building regulations.

Senior Building Surveyor Bernard Carter explained that this applies to newly-built premises and those whose use is changing.

Regulations cover anything from the number and width of fire escapes and staircases to accessibility for fire engines and emergency lighting.

The fire service is consulted on these aspects throughout.

The town hall department also advises magistrates on planning applications.

These days, any club would have to have an "alternative means of escape", said Divisional Officer Gleaves.

Windows aren't classed as such even though these provided the only remaining way out for those who jumped 80 feet from the inferno at theTop Storey.

He said: "At one time, windows were acceptable in limited circumstances, but you wouldn't accept windows as a means of escape in any way, shape or form now."

Instead, there has to be at least "one proper door of a suitable width, outward opening, probably with a push-bar and without a key."

It has to be able to be "instantly opened", preventing the danger of people getting crushed at the exit.

Divisional Officer Gleaves also explained that surface finishes on walls, furniture and fittings are "much improved" in these days of fire-retardant materials.

Today's Top Storey would also feature smoke alarms.

Said Divisional Officer Gleaves: "We would look at some means of forewarning and for an alarm system."

After all, he explained, "products of combustion contain all sorts of toxic gases and that's predominantly why people die in fires" -- as they did at the Top Storey.

These fire precautions are covered by the Fire Precaution Act 1971.

Premises with more than 20 people employed at any one time, or more than 10 anywhere in the building other than the ground floor need to comply with this Act in order to get a fire certificate.

There are "periodical" inspections, which especially target "high risk" premises -- such as clubs, hotels, hospitals and nursing homes.

If there are serious shortcomings, the use of premises can be "prohibited or restricted as a last resort" under section 10 of the Act.

Additional legal obligations apply to any employer who employs at least one member of staff under the Fire Precautions Workplace Regulations, 1997.

The size of premises is also important when it comes to sprinkler systems, which aren't usually required in clubs.

Requirement

"They aren't necessarily a requirement in those places, only, for example at large shopping centres," said Divisional Officer Gleaves.

John Musso, Bolton club boss of the Temple and Club Mezzo as well as Bar Peru, has first-hand experience of fire regulations.

"Every material used -- seating, wall coverings, ceiling -- is checked by the fire brigade and has got to be of British Standard," he explained.

"We also have to have systems in place to shut down the music in case of fire so the DJ can make an announcement before evacuation.

"And we do fire drills -- that's the most essential thing of all because the problem is evacuation."

But John added that there is too much "red tape" involved in the safety of his clubs. It should just be one agency in charge because there's a lot of confusion and conflict."