Certified Haunted Attraction Operator safety (C.H.A.O.S.)

Our team presents a 4 hour Fire Safety Seminar and then four additional hours of seminars must be completed to become certified for three (3) years.  This CHAOS certification is mandatory for any haunted attraction that applies for the HAA Top Haunts recognition program.  At least one staff member of the attraction must be CHAOS certified.  See schedule below for the 2024 schedule and a link to go directly to the registration site.

The CHAOS recertification program for anyone that has completed the 8 hour in person CHAOS program will be offered online through this website.  It is a five (5) hour online video course that can be taken individually at the person's own schedule.  Once completed and approved, a new CHAOS certificate will be sent to the individual.

C.H.A.O.S. - Certified Haunted Attraction Operator Safety certification

The Haunted Attraction Association has been certifying operators of haunted attractions since 2008.  The certification is now valid for 3 years and recertification is needed to keep current.  The benefits of being a CHAOS certified haunted attraction is improved safety, better trained personnel, and is now getting savings on insurance from several companies.

The following is an outline of the 4 hr Fire Safety course.

• Haunted Attraction Inspector Advice
• Preparing for the inspection
• Are You Ready?
• What we are looking for – review inspection sheet handout
• Flame Testing and Fireproofing
• Just because it’s a commercial product doesn't mean its fire proof
• Dynamics of Building Fire
• Human Factors
• Dynamics of a Crowd Crush
• Things to Consider when building and running Haunted Attractions

Which way will they go and where will they ultimately end up?

Where will your staff and actors end up?

• Entertainment Venues
• Haunted Attractions
• Incidents
  • Washington Reed School PTA Haunt – Oct 27, 1973
  • Great America Haunted Castle - May 11, 1984
  • Station Night Club (Great White) – Feb 20, 2003
  • Other Haunted Incidents
• OSHA10, Emergency Plans, and Owner Liability Defense Issues
• Media Response Plan  -  HAA has a PR firm ready to help members in times of crisis
• Haunted Attraction Safety & Safety Plans 
• Do you have a SAFETY PLAN?
• Do you train your staff with it?

C.H.A.O.S Fire & Safety Seminar: Haunted Attraction Association

The Certified Haunted Attraction Operator Safety (C.H.A.O.S.) Program is the Haunted Attraction Association (HAA)’s safety certification course that is recommended to anyone running a haunted attraction. This 4 hour Fire & Safety seminar is mandatory for certification. Safety, liability concerns, fire marshal issues, and proper methods of building a safe event are keys to this seminar. The seminar also covers tragedies that have affected the rules and laws that now regulate haunted house/entertainment/dark attractions today.

Individuals must complete eight hours in order to receive full CHAOS certification, so four additional hours/credits/seminars are required. Once completed, you will receive a CHAOS Course Completion Certificate to show your fire marshal, insurance carrier, and local authorities to show your desire to run a safe haunted attraction. Each person must attend the 8 hours individually and hour credits cannot be shared or combined between staff from the same attraction/different individuals.

To be eligible for the HAA Top Haunts program, at least one staff member must have current CHAOS certification. Several insurance companies in our industry now offer discounts for owners/operators with up-to-date CHAOS certification. Effective March 2020, all CHAOS certificates are valid and current for three years. All previously issued CHAOS certificates will expire after March of 2023. Your dedication and certification in the C.H.A.O.S. Program helps your event, and our industry, strive to be safe, proactive and responsible.

Safety is Always #1! Best Practices in Safety for Haunted Attractions the Pennsylvania Way! (1hr)

Speaker: Jim Werner, (Pennhurst Asylum) Randy Bates, (The Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride), Jim Schopf (Field of Screams) Thursday 3:00pm- 4:00pm Room: 121

$55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

Our HAA members can get the member's price for the 4 hour Fire Safety Course for all of their staff.  That is a $50 per person savings for the 4 hr Fire Safety course at Transworld.  

We encourage everyone to complete the certification as soon as possible, but we understand that schedules and budgets can affect that goal.  CHAOS certification can be done over 2-3 years if needed.  Once completed , then the CHAOS certificate expires in three years and recertification will then be needed for another 3 years.