Key points:
- Halloween mazes and haunted houses may be short-term, but they require more permits than the average retail business.
- Low lighting, narrow aisles, dead ends, and intentionally challenging routes make express slow and complex.
- The Fire Marshall may require you to staff either or both crowd and occupancy control or firewatch.
In the excitement of creating a fun-filled Halloween experience, you must ensure you comprehend your legal obligations. Mazes and haunted houses fall under one of the highest-risk temporary business categories. Although your business operates short-term, you must obtain a range of permits. This includes any combination of a Temporary Use Permit, Temporary Certification of Occupancy permit, Special Amusement Building Operational, and relevant Electrical and Structural permits. These permits are in addition to your business license and liability insurance. You must also comprehend your occupancy management and fire watch obligations.
A Special Amusement Building Operational permit is issued by the Denver Fire Department. To obtain this permit, you must submit a detailed Special Event Information Sheet that includes the maze layout and the location of emergency lighting, electrical panels, exit signs, and fog machines. Submit your paperwork at least 4 weeks prior to your launch date in case complications arise.
Top Fire Risk Factors of Haunted Houses
- Lighting and Equipment Overload: Powering strobe lights, black lights, string lights, animatronics, décor, props, sound systems, fog lights, power strips, extension cords, and equipment can overload your electrical. Seeking the expertise of an electrician to minimize overload and fire risk.
- Flammable Materials: Cardboard box tunnels, burlap décor, corn stalks, plastic tarps, and seasonal decorations are highly flammable materials. If sparks or fire ignites, it spreads fast.
- Complex Egress: By design, mazes and haunted houses are dark, have narrow aisles, dead ends, and intentionally unpredictable routes. If you must initiate emergency evacuation, guests won’t know which way to go. There’s also a greater risk for bottlenecks and blind spots.
- Limited Controls: As a temporary business, your sound system and fog system typically aren’t integrated with your fire alarm system. This makes it difficult for patrons to hear the alarm and evacuation instructions. Connecting to smart systems may be a workaround.
- Lack of Familiarity with Fire Code: A top reason to staff haunted house fire watch is to ensure compliance with fire code. Otherwise, you might unknowingly violate fire code. For example, setting space heaters or propane tanks in the building or warehouse you’ve rented may violate fire code.
Is Fire Watch Required at Haunted Houses?
Maybe. Fire watch is not automatically required for haunted houses. Per the Fire Marshal’s discretion, a trained and certified monitor may be mandated. If not fire monitoring, a security professional may be mandated for occupancy and crowd control.
What Triggers Increase the Need for Haunted House Fire Guards?
If your fire alarm or sprinkler system goes down, you must dispatch immediate monitoring. If your maze or haunted house is in an older building or vacant warehouse, you may be mandated to staff trained and certified personnel. The larger your maze or the more complex your electrical or props, the greater the likelihood you’ll need to staff continuous fire monitors.
Can Your Staff or Talent Perform Fire Watch?
No. Compliant monitoring requires training, certification, and a high-level understanding of how to identify and respond to fire and risk factors, as well as how to monitor, patrol, report, evacuate, and respond.
Haunted House Fire Watch in Denver and The Springs
Scout Security provides single and dual-trained guards for fire monitoring and security/occupancy control. If the Fire Marshal mandates crowd and occupancy control, but not fire monitoring, we suggest staffing dual-trained personnel. If the need arises, they can transition their role.
We provide both pre-scheduled and 24/7 emergency security or fire guards in Denver and The Springs. Book now!
