Council committee approves escape-room special use after safety assurances

The Police Policy & Code Services Committee approved a special-use permit and parking variation for an escape-room business at 254 North Northwest Highway after hearing detailed safety explanations from the owners.

Owners Mark and Heather Carlson told the committee they will use fail‑safe electric door strikes tied to the fire-alarm system so doors unlock in a power loss, maintain multiple exits from each room, and provide continuous monitoring and video surveillance. As Mark Carlson stated, “We're using electric strikes that are fail safe. If power goes away, they automatically open.” Staff and the fire marshal had urged conditions requiring that interior locks be tied to emergency systems and that egress and emergency lighting meet the director of fire prevention’s approval. The committee voted to forward the item on the consent agenda with those safety conditions in place.

The owners described customer briefings and monitored communication systems inside rooms to allow participants to exit at will or communicate with staff. Committee members repeatedly emphasized that no one should ever be trapped and that approval depends on acceptance of fire-safety and building-permit conditions.