Kansas Sate Fire Marshal warns about haunted house dangers

Despite temperatures continuing to feel like summer, Kansas State Fire Marshal Dan McLaughlin says it is time to prepare for the fall holiday season.

"Halloween is just around the corner and families will soon start visiting haunted houses, ghost walks and other special amusements ... even though these amusements are intended for family fun, these structures are considered high risk occupancies with regards to fire and life safety," McLaughlin said in a statement.

Kansas has the NFPA 101 life safety code adopted which requires these types of facilities to comply with major components of fire and life safety. History has shown that complying with life safety requirements is vital. The tragic May 11, 1984 fire in the Haunted Castle at the Six Flags Great Adventure Park in new Jersey resulted in the deaths of eight visitors due to their inability to immediately exit the amusement structure.

If considering operating or designing one of these amusements this year, McLaughlin recommends special attention given to the following:

* Automatic Sprinkler System in accordance with NFPA 13

* Automatic fire Alarm System in accordance with NFPA 72

* Number of exits

* Exit signs, illumination and emergency lighting

* Travel distance to exits

* Use of flammable liquids

* Use of combustible interior finish

* Location of extinguishing equipment

* Adequate staff trained in evacuation and equipped with flashlights

* Established emergency procedures

* Readily available means to notify local fire, police and emergency medical services

For added safety, it may be necessary to limit occupant load, add additional emergency exits or establish other special precautions to minimize a potential risk due to some unique circumstance. In any event, every effort should be made to provide an enjoyable but safe environment as determined by the local fire inspection authority.