Chicago haunted houses face rules for Halloween scares

The venues must follow city fire safety guidelines, including limits on maze visitors and a ban on candles.

Chicago haunted houses can offer plenty of tricks and treats this Halloween, but operators must follow city rules to keep the scares safe.

Chicago’s building and safety regulations affect everything from housing construction to seasonal attractions. For haunted house operators, that means meeting fire safety requirements before welcoming visitors.

Chicago’s rules for haunted houses

The Chicago Fire Department outlines safety guidelines for haunted castles, funhouses and maze exhibits. The rules cover everything from decorations and special effects to emergency exits and crowd sizes.

Here are some requirements operators must follow:

• Six scares at a time: No more than six people can travel through a maze or display at once.
• No candlelit corridors: Candles are prohibited inside haunted houses.
• No flammable fog: Machines using flammable liquids to create fog or mist are prohibited.
• An escape from the scares: Emergency exits must be available every 150 feet of travel distance within a maze.
• No hiding the exits: Decorations cannot conceal escape routes, and illuminated signs must identify emergency exits.
• Room for the monsters: Maze passageways must be at least 36 inches wide.
• Keep the flames imaginary: Scenery and decorations must be made from fire-retardant or noncombustible materials.
• Someone to watch the monsters: People familiar with the attraction must be stationed at entrances and exits to assist visitors during emergencies.
• No smoking: Smoking or carrying a lighted cigar, pipe or cigarette is prohibited.

Chicago also requires fire extinguishers at maze entrances and exits, lighting at passage intersections and unobstructed exits.

The Fire Department says its goal is to protect visitors, not discourage Halloween activities. Attractions that fail to follow the guidelines could be closed by the city.

From haunted houses to housing construction, Chicago’s regulations shape how residents and businesses use their properties. The challenge is keeping people safe without creating unnecessary obstacles to community activities and development.