blank space Fire Marshal's Communiqué Fire Marshal's Communiqué

October 1, 2008

Document Number 2008-08

FIRE SAFETY FOR INDOOR AND OUTDOOR PUBLIC AMUSEMENT AREAS

(External Distribution)
The fall harvest season and Halloween often give rise to a variety of popular indoor and outdoor public amusement activities and events across the province.  Examples include activities and events taking place at corn mazes, fun houses, and haunted houses.  While these can be festive and entertaining, a fire in 2002 involving an outdoor maze constructed of hay bales demonstrated that they can present significant fire risks.  Although the dozens of people inside the maze escaped without injury during that particular fire, the consequences could have been much worse.

The 2007 Fire Code, which came into force on November 21, 2007, now includes a number of specific provisions in Subsection 2.7.4. and Section 2.14 of Division B for fire safety of indoor and outdoor public amusement areas respectively.  These Fire Code provisions cover the following:

  1. approved use of hay, straw, shavings, textiles, films or similar combustible materials;
  2. control of all potential ignition sources such as smoking materials, candles and other open flames, heat-producing equipment, temporary wiring, improper or insecure lighting components;
  3. provision of emergency egress points that have appropriate width and height, are sufficient to handle the maximum anticipated occupant load, are adequately illuminated and are clearly identified with signage to facilitate evacuation;
  4. limitations on maximum travel distance to an emergency egress point; and
  5. development and implementation of a fire safety plan where applicable, or development and implementation of appropriate fire safety procedures.

Fire departments are asked to use available resources, including community media contacts, to alert operators to potential fire hazards associated with both indoor and outdoor amusement activities and inform them of their obligations to comply with the applicable provisions in the Fire Code.

To assist fire departments, the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) has prepared a draft notice for you to send or deliver to owners or operators of indoor or outdoor amusement areas in your community to ensure that they are aware of the safety requirements.

Enquiries should be directed to the local OFM fire protection advisor or the Fire Safety Standards Section of the OFM at (416) 325‑3100.
 

Attachment

Draft Notice (HTML, MS Word)

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