A sign seen July 31, 2023, at the Oshkosh Arena advises that it has been closed by order of the city fire marshal. PC: Fox 11 Online
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Oshkosh Fire Department told the Oshkosh Arena on July 18 that failure to bring fire code violations into compliance by July 25, would result in warning signs being posted on the property.
Entry into the building is prohibited and is secured to deny occupancy.
The Oshkosh Arena is noncompliant with fire and municipal code prompting a shut down, according to the city’s Fire Chief, Mike Stanley.
“The fire code violations could potentially pose a risk to life and property as fire hazards so we always take that very seriously,” said Stanley.
The fire department has locked out Oshkosh Arena employees. They placed warning signs on the building over fire code violations.
The arena was previously cited on Oct. 26, 2022, and on Feb. 22 of this year due to non compliance with fire code.
“Right now, the arena has been able to rectify some of those situations and are planning on addressing some of the other violations,” said Stanley.
All in hopes before the Wisconsin GLO game this weekend.
“They’re certainly doing their best to try to get these violations, so we can get the arena back open,” said Stanley.
The fire alarm system panel indicated three trouble alarms that need to be addressed and repaired. This system is also to be serviced annually, and the last date of service was June, 2021.
Quarterly and annual sprinkler system inspections and testing have not been completed since May 11, 2022.
The Ansul extinguishing system requires semi-annual service. This system was last serviced in December 2022.
The kitchen hoods require semi-annual professional cleaning and inspection. The hoods were last cleaned and inspected on Sept. 30, 2021.
But Stanley says that’s now been complete.
“They’ve been able to correct the cleaning inspection of the hood systems, so they’re certainly making progress,” said Stanley.
The fire alarm system has not being monitored since June of this year. Stanley says that’s likely this biggest issue.
“And what that means is if the fire alarm system goes off, conventionally it should go to a third party company that will alert our communications center and that’s what dispatches the fire units to the scene,” said Stanley.
As of Monday, the Wisconsin GLO game and GWBA playoffs this weekend are still scheduled to take place at Oshkosh Arena.
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