Recent fire incidents have demonstrated that combustible decorations,whether within buildings or in their proximity,can result in severe fires including,on occasion,fire fatalities.Combustible decorative features are regulated by the life safety code (NFPA 101) and by fire codes (IFC,NFPA 1).Codes generally require that combustible decorative features pass a certain fire test,but these tests are often small in scale and of low intensity.Moreover,there are often no limits on either the sizes or the amounts of such decorations allowed.Therefore,when a decoration complies with the required fire test (if a requirement even exists) it is often built of whatever size is desired by the proponent and can be incorporated in large amounts.In casinos and nightclubs there are many unique themed environments,including artificial trees,large statues,giant signs/LED screens,hand painted canvas murals loosely adhered to walls,and even fake buildings within the main structure.Fire tests exist,and others can be designed,to ensure a reasonable level of safety,but the fire tests normally used for decorations were not designed for large products with high combustible content.This misapplication of test methods has led to several otherwise avoidable fires and some fatalities.The work will address some of those incidents and the current code requirements.It will also recommend the appropriate type of fire testing to assist in determining what fire protection measures are reasonable and what level of passive fire protection is required for adequate fire safety.
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