HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-14-23 Coresspondence - Montana Municipal Interlocal Authority - Risk Management Alert_ Haunted House Events and Life Safety CodesFrom:Britani Laughery
To:Britani LaugherySubject:[EXTERNAL]Risk Management Alert: Haunted House Events and Life Safety Codes
Date:Thursday, September 14, 2023 4:29:48 PM
Attachments:image003.pngimage005.png2023 Haunted House Safety Letter from State Fire Marshal.pdf2023 Haunted House MCA- ARM Reference with photo examples.pdf
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To our valued member-owners,
It’s hard to believe our beautiful Montana summer is drawing to a close and fall is just around the corner. With the changing of the seasons comes
requests for use of municipal properties for functions such as haunted houses. As you consider these type of requests, it’s important to keep safety
at the forefront. Attached is a letter from the State Fire Marshal along with some additional references regarding haunted houses and the Life Safety
Code.
For additional questions on this issue, please contact the State Fire Marshal, Dirk Johnson, at dirk.johnson@mt.gov or 406-771-1510.
Sincerely,
Britani P. Laughery, CSP, ASP, CIC, CWCP, AU | Operations Manager
blaughery@mmia.net | www.mmia.net
406-495-7004 | 800-635-3089 ext. 114 | Fax: 406-449-7440
PO Box 6669, Helena, MT 59604
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MMIA:ecacbcab-a4bd-42fa-a598-e2e92efe506c:MMIA
STATE OF MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DIVISION OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION FIRE PREVENTION AND INVESTIGATION SECTION
P.O Box 991Great Falls, MT 59403(406)771-1510
Dirk M. Johnson State Fire Marshal
September 13, 2023
Re: Haunted house events and life safety
Over the past few years, the State Fire Marshal's Office has been summoned to several locally organized haunted house fundraisers across Montana. Unfortunately, many of these events have led to various code violations and safety concerns. These haunted houses, organized by local non-profit organizations, often take place in public buildings situated on county fairgrounds or vacant city storage buildings. While these endeavors are well-intentioned and receive substantial community support, they often neglect to prioritize the crucial safety aspects of their design and construction. Hazards and code violations, such as the presence of flammable materials like hay bales and obstructed exit paths caused by darkened sheets or costume decorations, inadvertently emerge.
According to the Fire Code IFC 2021, haunted houses fall under the category of special amusement buildings. Consequently, they are required to adhere to several safety provisions, including:
•Installation of an automatic fire sprinkler system throughout the premises (§917.7.1).
•Implementation of an automatic fire alarm system with voice evacuation capability. It should also feature an external soundshut-off mechanism to prevent conflicting auditory signals and enable the activation of a pre-recorded evacuation message (§907.2.12 and 12.3).
•Integration of an automatic smoke detection system (§ 914.7.2).
•Clear marking and illumination of egress pathways (§ 411.6 International Building Code - IBC).
•Adherence to limited exit travel distances to ensure swift access to exit doors (§Table1017.2).
•Adherence to interior finish limitations to mitigate fire spread risks (§411.7 and 803.1 IBC).
•Presence of fire extinguishers (§906).
While not exhaustive, the key regulations pertinent to this matter include ARM 23.12.601, MCA Chapters 50-61 focusing on fire safety in public buildings, and 50-62 addressing fire hazards.
There are some exceptions that may apply to assist local groups in hosting haunted houses:
•As per IBC or building code 411.1, "special amusement areas that lack walls or a roof and are designed to prevent smokeaccumulation are exempt from complying with this section" (applicable to outdoor haunted houses).
•IBC 411.2 provides an exception: Automatic sprinklers are not mandatory if the total floor area of a temporary specialamusement area is under 1,000 square feet (93 m²), and the exit access travel distance from any point within this area to an
exit is less than 50 feet (15,240 mm).
Ultimately, the responsibility for implementing necessary corrective action falls to the local county attorney's office. Local government officials should also recognize the potential legal liabilities arising from events that fail to comply with codes and are held on city, county, or commercial property.
The State Fire Marshal's Office stands ready to offer assistance and guidance to individuals with queries. Our objective is to ensure the safety and enjoyment of community members, and we are committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders. This letter incorporates relevant codes and past violation examples to provide a comprehensive overview of the situation.
In regard to life safety,
Dirk M. Johnson
State Fire Marshal dirk.johnson@mt.gov
Enclosure
STATE OF MONTANA
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DIVISION OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
FIRE PREVENTION AND INVESTIGATION SECTION
Note: Not all of the MCA/ARM listed below is copied in full context.
Montana ARM 23.12.601(4)
(4) This code shall apply to new construction as required in the building code and
existing conditions. Existing buildings shall be maintained in accordance with the
building code in effect at the time of construction. However, where existing conditions or
buildings pose an imminent hazard or risk to public health and safety and are not,
therefore, within the purview of the building code, the FPIS may take corrective action
pursuant to the provisions of 50-61-101, et seq., MCA, and 50-62-101, et seq., MCA.
Montana Code Annotated 2021
TITLE 50. HEALTH AND SAFETY
CHAPTER 61. FIRE SAFETY IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS
Part 1. General Provisions
50-61-115. Notice of violations. (1) When a building is found that is not in
compliance with fire safety rules promulgated by the department of justice, the person
making the inspection, or the department shall serve a written notice upon the party
whose duty it is to maintain the safety of the building.
50-61-117. Prosecution of violations. It is the duty of the department of justice or
other authorized officer to furnish the county attorney with all evidence of violations of
rules adopted by the department within the county where said violations occur, and, if
the evidence discloses the fact that a violation has occurred, it is the duty of the county
attorney of the county to prosecute the person committing the violation in the same
manner as in other cases.
50-61-118. Injunction authorized.
50-61-119. Violation of chapter a misdemeanor.
50-62-103. Service of order to repair hazardous condition or demolish
structure. (1) If the fire prevention and investigation section of the department of
justice, an officer of the section, or any other person identified in 50-62-101, upon an
examination or inspection, determines that a building or other structure constitutes a
public nuisance for any reason identified in 50-62-102 and the condition cannot be
removed or remedied within 24 hours, the section, officer, or person shall order the
hazardous condition to be repaired or the structure to be torn down or demolished and
all dangerous conditions remedied.
STATE OF MONTANA
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DIVISION OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
FIRE PREVENTION AND INVESTIGATION SECTION
Sample photos from a haunted house featured in the news last year.
As you can see there is a heavy load of combustibles throughout the haunted house and no
visible egress pathways. They also didn’t have any of the earlier listed life safety systems.
Door swinging in opposite direction; Hallways leading to other rooms
no marked exits and unmarked exits
Entrapment issues: not clearly marked Room covered with a parachute;
can’t see exit door exit pathway covered