Lawmakers mull outdoor event codes

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - State lawmakers say current building codes are inadequate when it comes to stage safety at outdoor events.

"We've got too many exemptions — that is pretty clear. That's dangerous. We need to reduce the number of exemptions," said State Rep. Ed DeLaney of Indianapolis.

He sits on the Outdoor Stage Equipment Safety Committee. Committee members received reports Wednesday morning from the two companies that investigated the August 2011 stage roof collapse at the fairgrounds. Seven people died and dozens were injured.

During the hearing, committee members were urged to consider adopting building codes set forth by the international code council. Over the coming weeks and months, those codes will be studied and recommendations will be made to improve current outdoor stage building codes.

"There's only one tension which is what do we do about the small towns and their small events? How do we not crush them with costs?" said Delaney.

Earlier this year, the governor signed an emergency rule that required more inspections of outdoor stages. Event organizers paid additional fees to cover the costs.

State Fire Marshal Jim Greeson thinks there's a way to adopt more stringent codes without endangering the viability of the smaller fairs and festivals.

"I think we are moving forward. I think Indiana would have the opportunity to be a leader especially in this area," said Greeson.

Along with improving building codes, lawmakers say they want to make sure event organizers are prepared to handle whatever size crowd turns up at an event.

"The crowd control aspect is critical. I don't care where you are if you get hundreds of people in the place — you better know how to get them out of there. You better know when to get them out of there," Delaney said.