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(A) At any time the haunted house is open to the public, a fire inspection can be conducted by the Fire Official to assure compliance with all guidelines and the fire code.
(B) In the event that the specified guidelines and/or the fire code regulations are not being met, then the person that obtained the special use permit will be subject to a civil citation. If the violations are of such a severe nature as to be hazardous to the lives and/or well-being of the public, then the Fire Official may revoke the special use permit, which will terminate the further use of the haunted house. If the violations are corrected, then the special use permit may be reinstated with no charge.
(C) In the event a special use permit is revoked and the occupant refuses to comply with the required regulations, a refund of the permit fee will not be allowed.
(Ord. passed - -; Ord. passed 11-6-2023)
(A) A scaled sketch, showing the locations and the widths of egress and exits, is required to be submitted to the Fire Marshal’s office, along with a log showing: a description of the event, performance dates and times, and the name of the person or persons responsible for the event.
(B) Emergency exits shall be provided throughout the structure to ensure the safe and prompt egress of occupants in the event of an emergency. These exits shall not be covered or concealed in any way and shall be available for immediate use without any type of hindrance. These exits shall be marked “EXIT”. All exit signs shall be of a florescent-type, with letters a minimum of three inches in size. The Fire Official may require lighted exit and emergency lights if he or she deems it necessary. All staff personnel shall know the location of all exits and the proper procedures to follow when leading people to an exit.
(C) Workers are to be stationed at or near each exit while the haunted house is open to the public.
(D) All exits must remain unlocked and unblocked while the structure is occupied.
(E) The haunted house must have workers in each room at all times of operation. Each worker shall have a flashlight and handheld alarm (whistle, horn, and the like) to warn of an emergency.
(F) All steps, ramps, or outside porches shall be lighted at all times.
(G) Lights shall be installed in all areas of the structure that will be occupied. They shall be turned on in the event of an emergency to provide sufficient light for a safe means of exiting the building.
(H) Multi-purpose, portable fire extinguishers shall be installed near each exit and throughout the structure so that the maximum travel distance to an extinguisher does not exceed 25 feet. All fire extinguishers shall be ABC extinguishers rated ten pounds.
(I) All staff shall know the location and be trained in the use of all fire extinguishers.
(J) No combustible or flammable liquid-type equipment shall be used in structure.
(K) No open flame, candle(s), or pyrotechnics shall be used within the structure or within 50 feet of the structure.
(L) No smoking shall be allowed within, or within 50 feet of, the structure. In order to enforce this requirement, “No Smoking” signs must be posted within and around the structure.
(M) The use of straw, hay, live vegetation, moss, vines, split bamboo, leaves, cloth, foam plastics, paper, cotton batting, and similar material shall not be used unless the materials are flame-resistant, as determined by the Fire Prevention Code. The Fire Official will need to approve any items used and the flame-retardant chemical used to treat those items.
(N) Spliced electrical cords, homemade switching devices, and/or open junction boxes and connections shall not be permitted. Extension cords shall not be used as a wiring method.
(O) The number of persons allowed inside the structure will be based on the size of the structure. Each group shall be led through the structure by a competent staff person. There shall be at least one empty room in between each group. All staff persons leading groups shall be familiar with all the guidelines required for haunted houses.
(P) In the event of an emergency, a warning signal will be sounded to notify all occupants to evacuate the structure.
(Q) There shall be regular meetings with all personnel who will be working at the haunted house, prior to opening the structure to the public, to review all rules and regulations required to be followed, most importantly those rules related to emergency evacuation procedures.
(R) Other considerations for the safety of the public that may be necessary, such as decorations, fire lanes, and the like, shall be enforced by the Fire Official.
(Ord. passed - -; Ord. passed 11-6-2023) Penalty, see § 95.999
DECORATIVE MATERIALS AND PYROTECHNICS
(A) All decorative material shall be noncombustible, inherently flame-resistant, or treated and maintained flame-resistant when tested.
(B) The use of pyrotechnics in the performing arts in conjunction with theatrical, musical, or similar productions before an audience, performers, or support personnel shall follow all state building codes and NFPA standards.
(C) Natural-cut Christmas trees shall be treated and maintained flame-resistant throughout their use; except Christmas trees located in areas protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system.
(D) Live Christmas trees with their roots protected by an earth ball may be permitted, provided they are maintained in a fresh condition and are not allowed to become dry.
(E) Artificial Christmas trees shall be labeled or otherwise identified or certified by the manufacturer as being flame-retardant or flame-resistant.
(F) Only UL-listed electrical lights and wiring shall be used on Christmas trees and similar decorations.
(G) Electrical lights are prohibited on metal artificial Christmas trees.
(H) Open flames shall not be located on or within the height of the Christmas tree or other similar combustible materials.
(I) Natural-cut Christmas trees shall not be located near heating vents or other fixed or portable heating devices that could cause the tree to dry out or to be ignited.
(J) When installing cut Christmas trees indoors, the tree shall have the bottom end of the trunk cut off at least one inch above the end to help the tree absorb water. The tree shall be placed in a suitable stand with adequate water. The water level shall be checked and maintained on a daily basis. The tree shall be removed from the building immediately upon evidence of dryness.
(K) Cotton cannot be used as decorative material. A cotton substitute, magic glass or a similar product that is fire-retardant, may be used.
(L) Decorations shall not block passageways, exits, or fire protection equipment. Persons in doubt about where decorations can and cannot placed should contact the Fire Marshal’s office at 704-736-8516.
(M) (1) Door decorations shall not exceed 50% of the door space.
(2) Only noncombustible or flame-retardant materials should be used.
(N) (1) Corridor walls shall not be covered with decorations that exceed 25% of the wall.
(2) Noncombustible or flame-retardant materials shall be used.
(3) Nothing shall be used that can be an obstruction.
(O) Facilities shall have written certification that items were treated to make them fire-retardant.
(P) Candle safety.
(1) Never use candles on a tree or place near an evergreen tree.
(2) Make sure candles are mounted in a secure and nonflammable base that will not tip over.
(3) Adequate safeguards are to be provided to avoid danger or ignition of combustible materials or injury to occupants;
(4) Candles shall not be left unattended or where small children can reach them;
(5) Any and all live vegetation used shall be of flame-resistant materials or shall be rendered flame-resistant by treating with a fire-retardant coating and maintained flame-resistant;
(6) Candles shall not block or impede exit widths;
(7) Immediately upon completion of a service, all flames shall be properly extinguished; and
(8) Permits are required for use of candles in public places. Churches are exempt. All others should contact the Fire Marshal’s office for the permits.
(Q) The above guidelines shall also apply to scenery used in all stage productions.
(Ord. passed - -; Ord. passed 11-6-2023) Penalty, see § 95.999
VIOLATIONS
(A) Any person shall be subject to all penalties allowed by law, if the person:
(1) Violates or fails to comply with the provisions of this chapter;
(2) Violates or fails to comply with any order made under this chapter;
(3) Builds in violation of any detailed statement of specifications or plans submitted and approved under the LCFPPO, or any certificate or permit issued thereunder; or
(4) Fails to comply with such an order as affirmed or modified by the Fire Marshal or by a court of a competent jurisdiction, within the time affixed.
(B) In addition to any civil penalties that may apply, violations of this chapter shall be a misdemeanor offense and subject the violator to the penalties as set forth in § 10.99(C)(4) of this code and any other criminal laws that may be applicable.
(Ord. passed - -; Ord. passed 11-6-2023)
(A) It shall be unlawful for any person to give, signal, or transmit, or to cause or permit to be given, signaled, or transmitted, in any manner any false alarm.
(B) If a fire department has to respond to a false alarm at a business or residence more than four times in one calendar year, a citation may be issued. There will be no fine for malfunction, natural causes (storms and the like), or good intent. (If there is a citation issued, any money collected will be put into an account for the primary responding Fire Department to be given to that department before the end of each budget year.)
(Ord. passed - -; Ord. passed 11-6-2023) Penalty, see § 95.999
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