I’ve written a few posts over the years about escape rooms, which are facilities where groups work together to solve puzzles and eventually “escape” from the room. The past posts included my very first one with an example of a local code modification, and was followed by a post about a tragic escape room fire where five teenagers were killed. A few years later I shared the news that the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) would include new requirements for “puzzle rooms” (AKA escape rooms).
As a refresher, the 2021 IBC definition states: A puzzle room is a type of special amusement area in which occupants are encouraged to solve a challenge to escape from a room or series of rooms.
Requirements for escape room egress are found in Section 411 of the 2021 edition, which covers special amusement areas. There are three options for puzzle room exiting that are included in the 2021 IBC:
- The exit can comply with the requirements of Chapter 10 – Means of Egress, or
- An alternative design can be approved by the building official, or
- The exit must be open and readily available upon activation of the fire alarm, sprinkler system, and by manual control at a constantly attended location.
In the 2024 edition of the IBC, the three options above have been removed, and the code now states: Puzzle rooms provided with a means of egress that is unlocked, readily identifiable, and always available are not required to comply with this section. The definition has also been revised slightly: A puzzle room is a type of special amusement area in which occupants are encouraged to solve a challenge to escape from a room or series of rooms. A puzzle room is sometimes referred to as an escape room.
To me this sounds like Option 3 from the 2021 IBC is no longer acceptable per the 2024 IBC. Option 1 is a given, and Option 2 would also still be valid (IMO) even though it is not longer specifically listed in the code.
I’m working on a presentation for an escape room conference (cool, right?!), and I’m wondering what y’all are seeing out in the real world. Are escape rooms still “locking people in”, or are the doors required to allow free egress? If you’re an AHJ, what would you require/permit?
WWYD?
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Well that is interesting, They took option 3 out???
Guess it makes it easier for the ahj, just to say, you must have an unlocked exit in every room.
That is what we required, and just told the business, tell the customers, if they go through the exit , they fail the mission..
So I wonder if it will be back in 2027 IBC?
Over here a puzzle room is any public building after hours.
Seriously, if I were AHJ for a day I would treat the puzzle room as a building which had it’s fire and egress system removed from service. It could be operated under an approved safety watch as described in NFPA101.
I was bamboozled into participating in an escape room event once. There was a constantly attended location to allow for egress. They also used an intercom system and camera for providing hints if requested. I believe there were 2 people at the desk the entire time, so in theory it should always be staffed. Like Lloyd said, a fire watch seems to be an appropriate solution. Maybe the operators need to know how to explain to the local AHJ that they are complying with code by doing this.