1. MGM Grand Hotel and Casino Fire
Presentation by Jeff Roberts & Jordan Phillips

2. Introduction
On November 21, 1980 at 7:05am the second largest life-loss fire in the U.S. caused:
87 deaths
679 injuries
$30,000,000 estimated in damages

3. Design & Layout Features
26-Story high rise hotel
Type-I construction
Steel framing and concrete floors
No nearby buildings
Exits
Service Elevators
Main Elevators
Inner Stairwells
Smoke-free Towers

4. Cause of Fire
Electrical fault
Galvanic action

5. Origin of Fire Fire began in the Deli
Ignition point was located in side stand #2
Origin identified due to:
Direction of flame spread
Char and Fire Patterns

6. Growth of the Fire Began in the Deli
Spread into the Orleans Coffee House
Burned into air plenum
Spread to the casino
Burned access into smokeless stairwells

7. Consequences of the Fire
Employees and Guests
87 Deaths
679 Injuries
Firefighters
14 were hospitalized
300 experienced smoke inhalation
$30,000,000 in damages

8. Fire Protection System Deficiencies
Lack of sprinklers in most areas
Lack of smoke detectors
Manually activated fire alarm
Scan picture of Table A-3.1

9. Structural Deficiencies
Gap in seismic joints
Improperly installed smoke dampers

10. Effect on the Structure
Heavy smoke damage to entire building
Fire damage to:
Casino
Arcade area
Metal trusses twisted due to heat
Camber in floor of 18 in.
Elevators cables snapped due to heat
Repaired and reinstated 8 months after fire

11. Emergency Response Response Timeline 11 Firefighting units
Fire observed at 7:05am
Fire department called at 7:15am
Fire department arrived at 7:17am
11 Firefighting units
19 Helicopters
Evacuation took 4 hours

12. Conclusions Adequate fire protection system necessary
Sprinklers
Smoke Alarm
Fire Alarm
Regular inspection of HVAC system
Self-closing doors would have helped contain fire spread
Add structural redundancy information