Holiday Decorations

The Facilities Team are not Grinches who hate the holidays. Decorations
increase the risk of fire. Follow these code requirements to celebrate safely.

THESE REQUIREMENTS APPLY YEAR ROUND

Keep the means of egress clear and unobstructed
Items hanging from the ceiling must be at least 6’-8” above the finished floor
Nothing shall project into the path of egress over 4” from either side
Do not attach or hang anything from any fire protection equipment, such as sprinklers, pull stations, fire extinguishers, exit signs, etc.
Nothing can obstruct the visibility or access to exits, pull stations, and fire extinguishers
Maintain an 18” distance below a sprinkler head (NFPA 25-2011, 5.2.1.2)
EXIT signs must be fully visible

Strings of listed lights can be daisy-chained together, how and if permitted by the manufacturer’s instructions. You must have the instructions on hand.
Only listed holiday lights may be used.
Using extension cords and strip plugs instead of permanent wiring is prohibited.
- However, there is a 90-day exception to this rule when used for UL Listed holiday decorations. As long as power circuits do not become overloaded and light strings are in good condition.

Flammable decorations are NOT allowed.
Combustible decorations are NOT allowed unless they meet one of the following and you have documentation of compliance:
- Treated with a Flame-retardant which is listed and applied per its instructions
- Loose hanging fabrics that are labeled to satisfy NFPA 701
- Have been tested to have a heat release rate of 100 kW or less (per NFPA 289) Have documentation available.
- Art decorations, such as photographs and paintings that are:
  - directly attached to walls, ceilings, or non-rated doors,
  - don’t interfere with door operation and
  - are below the area limits
Bulletin boards, posters, and paper are attached directly to the wall and are a maximum of 20% per Area Limit. (NFPA 101-2012, 10.2.5.3.1)
Potted plants are allowed
Straw, hay, dried cornstalks, and cut greenery (evergreen wreaths, etc.) are not allowed.
- If using outdoors, do not place these items too close to the outside walls of the building
Artificial Christmas trees must be labeled by the manufacturer as certified flame retardants
Natural Christmas trees are permitted in fully sprinkled business occupancies only (many requirements per NFPA 1 – 2012)

The approximate surface area of the walls, ceiling, and doors in a space
Non-Sprinkled smoke compartment -Maximum 20%
Any space in a fully sprinkled smoke compartment – Maximum 30%
Patient sleeping rooms with no more than 4 people, in fully sprinkled smoke compartment - Maximum 50%