The fire at the Le Constellation nightclub in Crans-Montana, Switzerland was, unfortunately, yet another tragic repetition of incidents such as the fire at The Station nightclub in Rhode Island, USA, where 100 people lost their lives, as well as the Colectiv club fire in Bucharest, which claimed 64 victims. All these tragedies share certain common characteristics: they were triggered by the use of pyrotechnics in enclosed spaces that lacked adequate fire detection and fire protection systems, and they starkly highlighted the absence of meaningful implementation of fire safety measures in public assembly venues.

The loss of life in Crans-Montana is directly linked to serious shortcomings in safety inspections, the absence of functional fire detection systems, inadequate emergency lighting, and insufficient marking of emergency exits. According to published reports, the club had gone five years without a fire safety inspection, was not equipped with fire detection or suppression systems, and both emergency exits were ultimately blocked by the fire.

Fire safety technology is not intended merely to ensure regulatory compliance. Especially in cases of fires in public assembly spaces, the presence of a certified and reliable fire detection system is absolutely essential, as it enables the earliest possible detection of a fire.

Its primary role is to buy time—time for reaction, evacuation, and rescue. Videos circulating from the scene of the Crans-Montana tragedy show individuals filming the outbreak of the fire, without realizing the severity of the situation. The absence of a fire detection system excessively increased the pre-evacuation time, namely the time required from the onset of the incident to the decision to move toward an exit, as there was no audible warning via a fire alarm siren.

The presence of soundproofing materials on the ceiling further exacerbated the danger, as such materials are highly flammable, burn extremely rapidly, and produce dense, toxic gases during combustion.

In fires such as the one in Crans-Montana, occurring in buildings characterized by narrow, complex, or underground spaces, darkness, and dense smoke from the burning of synthetic materials, soundproofing, and wood, extremely adverse conditions are created. Under these circumstances, movement toward emergency exits takes place in an environment of general panic and severely reduced visibility. To prevent such situations, emergency escape route lighting and exit signage systems have been established. As has been extensively analyzed in the technical press, certified emergency luminaires are not simply “small lights,” but complete systems with strict specifications regarding autonomy, reliability, and durability.

In conditions of such danger, and in the absence of audible signals or instructions, people rely exclusively on visual guidance to move toward a safe area. The presence of emergency lighting enables faster and more organized movement during evacuation, helps prevent panic, and guides building occupants—who are often unfamiliar with the space—toward the nearest emergency exits.

From legislation to a culture of safety

One of the key conclusions drawn from such tragedies is that compliance with legislation alone is not sufficient. What is required is a culture of safety, continuous inspections, proper design, and reliable equipment. Responsibility lies with everyone: owners, designers, installers, technical companies, and public authorities.

Within this context, companies that for decades have consistently invested in research, development, and the production of certified fire detection and emergency lighting systems make a substantial contribution to prevention. Olympia Electronics, from 1979 to the present day, develops and manufactures solutions in Greece that cover needs ranging from a simple residence to complex building complexes and skyscrapers, demonstrating that safety is the result of knowledge, consistency, and technology.

Electronic fire detection and emergency lighting systems are not a luxury, nor a bureaucratic obligation. They are an investment in human life. Every tragedy that could have been prevented reminds us that prevention is invisible—until the moment it is absent.