The stampede that killed 21 people and injured 55 at Chicago’s E2 nightclub Monday resulted from overcrowding that likely won’t happen here in Ames, say local fire and police officials.

Some 500 people were at the club on Chicago’s South Side when a fight broke out at 2 a.m. A stampede toward the club’s exits ensued after a security officer used pepper spray or Mace to break up the fight. Doors were locked and exits were blocked by laundry bags from the restaurant below, preventing many of those inside from escaping.

Cmdr. Jim Robinson, Ames Police, said local drinking establishments make a conscious effort to remain below occupancy and protect their customers.

John Johnson, fire inspector for the Ames Fire Department, said occupancy limits are determined by a formula that takes into account a building’s square feet. A drinking establishment must allow 15 square feet per person or 7 square feet per person if the building includes a dance floor, according to staff reports.

Johnson said the fire department works with local agencies to enforce occupancy limits.

“It’s a team effort with the Ames Police Department and [the Department of Public Safety] to make sure Ames bars don’t get overcrowded,” he said. “It needs to be continually monitored so it doesn’t become a problem.”

Johnson said overcrowding results in a $500 fine for a bar’s first violation and a $750 fine for any subsequent violations with a recommendation toward losing their liquor license.

Obstruction of exits also results in a $500 fine, he said.

“There can be absolutely nothing standing in the way that would block the door or the pathway leading to the door,” he said.

Brian Deets, assistant general manager at People’s Bar and Grill, 2428 Lincoln Way, said the building’s capacity of 235 people is met on most weekend nights.

“We make sure we keep the capacity at 235, simple as that,” he said. “I would say most Friday and Saturday nights we meet our occupancy limit at some point.”

Deets said all employees share the responsibility of preventing overoccupancy.

“We know what our capacity is,” he said. “A manager can tell just by volume; he can see it. Our front-door person and back-door person also have clickers to keep track of who’s going in and who’s coming out.”

Deets said exits to the building are kept open at all times.

“Both our front and rear entrances are handicapped accessible,” he said. “The only thing ever blocking our exits is the door person, who makes sure people can get in and out.”

People’s was cited for overcrowding on Feb. 23, 2002. Sips, 124 Welch Ave., was cited for overcrowding on March 3.

Johnson said the bars in Ames are aware of the potential fines they could receive for overoccupancy and take responsibility for preventing it.

“We don’t typically find [overcrowding situations like that at Chicago’s E2 nightclub] in Ames,” he said. “I would like to think we’re not exposing our students and customers to that.”

Though a similar stampede has never occurred in Ames, Robinson said it isn’t impossible.

“There is always a potential for a large group to become excited and if a large group would stampede there is the potential for deaths to occur,” he said.

— The Associated Press contributed to this story.