Corn Maze
TO: All Assistant State Fire Marshals, Special Deputy State Fire Marshals, Deputy State Fire Marshals, Fire Safety Inspectors and Fire Protection Engineers
FROM: William E. Barnard, CFPS, State Fire Marshal
DATE: September 23, 2002
SUBJECT: Minimum Life Safety Guidelines for “Corn Maze” Amusement
Attractions in the State of Maryland
Purpose: To establish minimum fire and/or life safety
guidelines for the operation of certain theme parks in the State of Maryland
commonly referred to as “Corn Mazes”.
Scope: The fire and/or life safety guidelines established by the Office of the State Fire
Marshal shall serve as the minimum requirements for the operation of
certain seasonal amusement attractions commonly referred to as “Corn
Mazes”. Said guidelines shall apply
to all political subdivisions where the State Fire Marshal is the primary
authority having jurisdiction for fire and life safety. However, local subdivisions may apply more
stringent fire and/or life safety requirements to these amusement attractions,
as they deem appropriate as the local authority having jurisdiction.
Fire and Life Safety Requirements:
1) The owner/operator of a corn maze amusement attraction shall advise all employees of the fire and/or life safety guidelines established by the State Fire Marshal prior to employees assuming their respective duties.
2) The owner/operator of a corn maze or their employees shall provide safety instructions to the visitors and patrons of a corn maze prior to their entrance to the maze.
3) At least two (2) employees shall be on duty to monitor a corn maze during hours of operation. At least one (1) of the two
employees on duty monitoring the maze shall be located on an elevated platform at least 10 feet above the maze.
4) The owner/operator of a corn maze shall contact the local fire department and provide the fire department with the opportunity to prepare a “preplan” of the corn maze amusement attraction prior to start of seasonal operations.
5) There shall be no open flame producing devices and/or equipment within the confines of a corn maze.
6) There shall be no smoking permitted within the confines of a corn maze.
7) Not more than 200 persons per acre, including adults and children shall occupy a corn maze at any one time.
8) Motorized vehicles shall not be parked within 75 feet of a corn maze.
9) A fire lane at least 10 feet wide shall be cleared between a corn maze and any structures or vegetation outside the maze.
10) During hours of darkness, visitors to a corn maze may only use flashlights to illuminate their travel through the maze. Candles, gas-fired lanterns, cigarette lighters or similar open flame or flame producing devices shall be prohibited for use inside a corn maze at all times.
11) A public address system shall be readily available to employees at a corn maze to assist them in making announcements to the visitors or patrons of a corn maze in the event of an emergency. (A bull horn or loud speaker shall suffice as a public address system.
12) The entrance and exit from a corn maze shall not be blocked or obstructed at any time the theme park is open for business and occupied by the public.
13) Fireworks shall not be discharged within 300 feet of any corn maze at any time.
Effective Date: The aforementioned fire and life safety guidelines for corn maze amusement attractions shall be effective this date and shall remain in force until cancelled or superceded by other directive from the State Fire Marshal.
Those personnel requiring further assistance or advice concerning the aforementioned fire and/or life safety guidelines for corn maze amusement attractions should contact the Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal or Chief Fire Protection Engineer.
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