411 Special Amusement Areas — 2025 California Building Code

Special amusement areas having an occupant load of 50 or more shall comply with the requirements for the appropriate Group A occupancy and Sections 411.1 through 411.6. Special amusement areas having an occupant load of less than 50 shall comply with the requirements for a Group B occupancy and Sections 411.1 through 411.6.

Exceptions:

1. Special amusement areas that are without walls or a roof and constructed to prevent the accumulation of smoke are not required to comply with this section.

4-32 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE

2. Puzzle rooms provided with a means of egress that is unlocked, readily identifiable and always available are not required to comply with this section.

[F] 411.2 Automatic sprinkler system. Buildings containing special amusement areas shall be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. Where the special amusement area is temporary, less than 180 days, the sprinkler water supply shall be of an approved temporary means determined by the authority having jurisdiction.

Exception: Automatic sprinklers are not required where the total floor area of a temporary, less than 180 days, special amusement area is less than 1,000 square feet (93 m [2] ) and the exit access travel distance from any point in the special amusement area to an exit is less than 50 feet (15 240 mm).

[F] 411.3 Detection and alarm systems. Buildings containing special amusement areas shall be equipped throughout with an automatic smoke detection system and an emergency voice/alarm communications system in accordance with Section 907. Presignal alarms and alarm activation shall comply with Sections 411.3.1 and 411.3.2. Emergency voice/alarm communications systems shall comply with Section 411.3.3.

[F] 411.3.1 Alarm presignal. Activation of any single smoke detector, the automatic sprinkler system or any other single automatic fire-detection device shall immediately initiate an audible and visible alarm at a constantly attended location at the special amusement area from which emergency action, including the manual requirements in Section 411.3.2, can be initiated.

[F] 411.3.2 Alarm activation. Activation of two or more smoke detectors, a single smoke detector equipped with an alarm verification feature, two or more other approved fire detection devices, the automatic sprinkler system, or a manual control located at the constantly attended station required by Section 411.3.1 shall automatically accomplish all of the following:

1. Illumination of the means of egress with an illumination level not less than 1 footcandle (11 lux) at the walking surface level.
2. Cessation of conflicting or confusing sounds and visual distractions.
3. Activation of approved directional exit markings.
4. Activation of a prerecorded message, audible throughout the special amusement area, instructing occupants to proceed to the nearest exit. Alarm signals used in conjunction with the prerecorded message shall produce a sound that is distinct from other sounds used during normal operation of the special amusement area.

[F] 411.3.3 Emergency voice/alarm communications system. An emergency voice/alarm communications system complying with Section 907.5.2.2 shall be installed in and audible throughout special amusement areas. The emergency voice/alarm communications system is allowed to also serve as a public address system.

[BE] 411.4 Exit marking. Exit signs shall be installed at the required exit or exit access doorways serving special amusement areas in accordance with this section and Section 1013. Approved directional exit markings shall be provided. Where mirrors, mazes or other designs disguise the path of egress travel such that the path of egress travel is not apparent, approved and listed low-level exit signs that comply with Section 1013.5, and directional path markings listed in accordance with UL 1994, shall be provided and located not more than 8 inches (203 mm) above the walking surface and on or near the path of egress travel. Such markings shall become visible in an emergency. The directional exit marking shall be activated by the automatic smoke detection system and the automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 411.3.2.

[BE] 411.4.1 Photoluminescent exit signs. Where photoluminescent exit signs are installed, such signs shall be listed and the activating light source and viewing distance shall be in accordance with the listing and markings on the signs.

Interior wall and ceiling finish materials in special amusement areas shall meet the flame spread index and smoke-developed index requirements for Class A in accordance with Section 803.1.

Flammable decorative materials shall comply with Section 806.