Thread: Shut Down!

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Hello folks, I've just been informed that my haunt this year has been shut down by the fire chief in our area after trying to get his approval. He says its because we don't have an over head sprinkler system. Thats fine and all, but our haunt is an outside haunt and we keep fire extinguishers located at each scene. Personally it doesn't make any sense to me. Has anyone else had this problem, or have any advice on what to do?

Wow, that sucks. Does he know that you do an outdoor haunt? Can he provide you with other methods in keeping your haunt safer?

He knows, all that he said was that if anyone got hurt it was his a**.

That does NOT make sense. Does he shut down weddings and concerts too? I believe you should speak with someone else either higher than him or in a different jurisdiction or just protest. That is just redic!

Good luck. I hope that You will be able to have it.

Hire him, or one of his employess, as a saftey person. We did that for 15yrs in an old building that would cost way too much money to upgrade to a sprinkler system.

I would draw up a plan, set up a meeting with him, and ask him for his advice. Let him feel like he is the BOSS, so that you can have your haunt, at the same time, make it safe for everyone, regardless if it is inside or outside.

I am a volunteer firefighter and very good friends with the city fire chief. If the fire chief/marshall says no way, then there is no going above him. Just my 2cents.

hey horrorstudent, im a career firefighter and have not had any probs with my haunt. my chief actually lets us use our training fog machine. im sorry to hear about your situation. i would suggest maybe showing him you are using surge protectors and the proper extension cords( UL rated) as well as fire extinguishers. also, ask him about possibly having a "fire watch" as Bear has mentioned. even get a petition going from locals who enjoy your haunt every year if need be. good luck!

Oh man, so sorry to hear about you being shut down. Does he have a personal problem with Halloween? Maybe if you didn't charge, but asked for donations it could change from a business status to something he'd have no control over???

Good luck...don't give up.

I think you need to meet with him, over a few beers, and ask what could be done to mitigate his perceived problems with your haunt. If his entire response is that it would "be his a** if something went wrong", you will probably need to go to the mayor or city/township board of commissioners and ask for an intervention. There is no building code, anywhere, that I'm aware of that requires overhead sprinklers in a space that has no roof.