International NightLife Association

This morning in Barcelona a press conference took place in which it has been made public that seven restaurants and nightlife venues in Barcelona have obtained two international distinctions of safety and acoustic quality, being the first venues in the world to obtain this international "Double Excellence for Nightlife" distinction, granted by the International Nightlife Association. The distinguished venues are: Pacha Barcelona, ​​Shôko, Bestial, Carpe Diem Lounge Club, Opium Mar, Ice Bar and Agua. Said venues have obtained this double international distinction after overcoming a series of requirements imposed by the International Nightlife Association.

Firstly, David López, President of the "Associació Front Marítim Barceloneta", an association in which all the distinguished venues are integrated in and which in turn belongs to FECASARM and SPAIN NIGHTLIFE, has stressed that, "It is a real privilege that these seven venues of the most frequented touristic areas of all Europe, for its catering, entertainment and nightlife, have been the first in the world in obtaining this double distinction. In fact, it is a clear voluntary bet from the nightlife entrepreneur on quality, excellence of the area, safety and comfort to its costumers".

Then, Joaquín Boadas, General Secretary of the International Nightlife Association, explained the requirements that the venues have had to meet to obtain the International safety seal that bears the name "International Nightlife Safety Certified (INSC)". The representative of the international organization explained that the premises have had to incorporate one or several cardiac resuscitators, a portable metal detector at the entrances of the premises, a breathalyzer at the exit of the premises, a map indicating the emergency exits exposed in their accesses, implement a protocol for the prevention of sexual harassment, and having their employees pass a 4-hour practical course on safety issues, as well as checking the proper functioning of emergency exits with anti-panic bars, the existence of revised extinguishers, the possession of a certificate of solidity of the premises and layout of fire-retardant furniture and decorative material.The seal also requires a series of posters on the prohibition of the sale of alcohol to minors, prohibition of possession, consumption and sale of drugs as well as recommendation to drink responsibly.

 

In relation to the obligation of having a map indicating the emergency exits at the entrances of the premises, Joaquin Boadas has stated "It is not intended to do as airplanes do on every flight where an indication is made to all passengers regarding where the emergency exits are located, but the goal is that local customers can know, when accessing the premises, where they are located since they often do not know where to go in case of an emergency, and everything that is prevention is positive". Regarding the manual cardiac resuscitator, he highlighted, "That it is an instrument that is rarely used but in a case of necessity it can be very useful because if someone suffers a cardiac arrest this instrument keeps the person alive until the ambulance arrives. "

 

In regards to the portable metal detector, Boadas wanted to emphasize that, "It is a preventive instrument that is used in all security controls of city centers that concentrates a large amount of people and, therefore, it has been considered necessary to enforce its use for this seal". In regards to the coin-operated breathalyzer ,"It has been deemed necessary to impose it in all the venues in the world that wish to obtain the certification to allow their clients to know whether or not they are able to drive, which is something that can also help to save lives and, therefore, another important element for security ".

 

Also at the press conference was Jana Sonego, Technical Laboratory Director of the AUDIOTEC Group delegation in Catalonia, responsible for the certification of the INAQ (International Nightlife Acoustic Quality). The representative of the certifying company explained that the main novelty of the INAQ seal is that the premises must have acoustic ear protectors available to customers and workers who are in areas where the acoustic level exceeds 90 dB (A). In addition, among other requirements to obtain this seal, the premises must have double doors, emit less than 45db (A) towards the outside environment, have posters warning of possible damages to the auditory system in areas where there is an exposure greater than 90 dB (A) , have posters at exits asking to respect the rest of the neighbors, emit less than 30 dB (A) towards the indoor environment of neighboring homes accredited with the corresponding sonometry and have exceeded a course on acoustic matters for its staff.

Sonego has concluded, highlighting the importance of the INAQ certification system for its triple acoustic protection for customers, workers and neighbors.

 

As she explained, "The INAQ seal is an innovative international standard that incorporates a series of guarantees and innovative impositions that aim to achieve goals in changing the perception of nightlife, in order to view the nightlife sector as a sector committed to the respect and protection of the auditory health of its clients, workers and the rest of the neighbors ".

 

We are pleased to attach a picture of the press conference held today, from left to right, Joaquim Boadas, David López and Jana Sonego.

 

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