Prudential Center Smoked Out

The Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., was shut down early July 11 when its temporary certificate of occupancy expired but was allowed to reopen hours later when a judge reinstated the certificate.

Julien Neals, corporation counsel for Newark, said terms of the certificate required the team to provide complete documentation by July 11 on additional improvements to the venue’s smoke alarm system – in particular, the smoke evacuation system to clear the stairwells in case of fire.

"It’s safe. It’s just technicalities, paperwork, bureaucracy and miscommunication," New Jersey Devils co-owner Michael Gilfillan said, according to Newark’s Star-Ledger.

The 19,500-capacity arena was operating with a temporary certificate of occupancy that had been renewed repeatedly since the $380 million Center opened October 27. The latest temporary certificate of occupancy was reinstated until August 25.

The Devils successfully argued that temporary certificates of occupancy could not be issued for fewer than 60 days – and the certificate that expired had been issued for only 14 days, according to the Star-Ledger.

Lawyers for the Devils filed an application in state Superior Court in Newark and a hearing is scheduled August 8. The city has until July 21 to file a response.

Although the smoke alarm system at the Prudential Center is fully functional, the Devils have hired firefighters to stand at stairwells during events.

When the Center first opened there were about 30 fire watchers but as more technical issues were resolved, the number of firefighters needed at each event is down to between eight and 12, according to the paper.

"It’s standard protocol. Anyone without a certificate of occupancy must have a fire watch," Fire Director David Giordano told the Star-Ledger.

Once Newark and the Devils agree to plans for the smoke evacuation system and a timeline for the changes to be made is established, then a final certificate of occupancy can be issued following an inspection of the arena by construction officials.