Two popular Ames bars were recently cited for fire code violations.

People’s Bar and Grill, 2430 W. Lincoln Way, and Sips, 124 Welch Ave., were cited for overcrowding Feb. 23 and March 3, respectively.

Jeff Pearson, Ames Fire Department building official, assesses the capacity of each building by determining the total square footage and dividing it by the occupant load factor, which is stated in the city fire code.

Pearson said drinking establishments and lounges should allow 15 square feet per person. Buildings with dance floors are allowed seven square feet per person. These numbers are divided into the total square footage of the building to determine the occupancy limit.

Under these rules, People’s capacity is 235. On Feb. 23, Ames Police officers made a head count of at least 350.

“It basically comes down to someone not paying attention at the door at the number of people,” said Tom Zmolek, owner of People’s.

Sips manager Tony Shepherd was present March 3 when police approximated the number of patrons in the establishment. He said he knew they were a little over the limit of 296, but didn’t realize how much.

Shepherd said after everything was turned off, they waited until 47 people left and then recounted. “Then we did another count and had an average of 285 between the two officers and myself,” he said.

Use of the back door may attribute to the overcrowding.

Officers count patrons in the bars when they feel there is a “flagrant disregard for human right and safety,” said John Dethrow, Ames fire inspector.

They will walk around with hand counters and do individual head counts of groups to determine the current capacity.

Shepherd and Zmolek both said bouncers at their doors keep track of capacity with hand-held counters.

“After a while you tend to get a feeling of over and under [capacity] when you enter the bars,” Dethrow said.

It is impossible to make a completely accurate count, but learning how to count in groups aids accuracy, Dethrow said. Both officers count separately and then compare numbers.

“If the numbers are reasonably close, then we won’t count again,” said Ames Community Resource Officer Tom Shelton, one of the officers who cited Sips. “If they are substantially off, then we will count again until we get numbers that are close.”

When the numbers are close and too many people are inside the bar, the bars must turn off the music and stop serving alcohol until the admittance number drops below the capacity.

Although police enter bars with the intention of finding underage drinkers, the officers also enforce fire code regulations if they feel it is necessary.

“I have transferred the power of the fire inspector to the police officers to observe fire codes and make reports,” Dethrow said. “I applaud city police for enforcing rules on our behalf.”

Dethrow said the enforced rules will cost each bar a first-time fine of $500 plus $30 in court fees. Third and fourth offenses will increase to $750 plus $30 in court costs.

After the fourth violation, the City Council considers a 60-day suspension of the establishment’s liquor license, Dethrow said. So far, he said, no bar has had such a suspension for fire code violations.

Dethrow said overcrowding is a serious problem.

“When you let a bar get overcrowded, you are taking life in your own hands,” he said.