Christmas trees placement within buildings

Christmas trees placement within buildings

We explain this through NFPA 1, Fire Code (2018 edition). 10.13 indicate Combustible Vegetation.

10.13.1 Combustible vegetation, including natural cut Christmas trees, shall be in accordance with Section 10.13.

10.13.1.1 Christmas tree placement within buildings shall comply with Table 10.13.1.1.

10.13.2 In any occupancy, limited quantities of combustible vegetation shall be permitted where the AHJ determines that adequate safeguards are provided based on the quantity and nature of the combustible vegetation.

10.13.3 Provisions for Fire Retardance for Artificial Vegetation.

10.13.3.1 Artificial vegetation and artificial Christmas trees shall be labeled or otherwise identified or certified by the manufacturer as being fire retardant.

10.13.3.2 Such fire retardance shall be demonstrated by each individual decorative vegetation item, including any decorative lighting, in an approved manner.

10.13.4 Vegetation and Christmas trees shall not obstruct corridors, exit ways, or other means of egress.

10.13.5 Only listed electrical lights and wiring shall be used on natural or artificial combustible vegetation, natural or artificial Christmas trees, and other similar decorations.

10.13.6 Electrical lights shall be prohibited on metal artificial trees.

10.13.7 Open flames such as from candles, lanterns, kerosene heaters, and gas-fired heaters shall not be located on or near combustible vegetation, Christmas trees, or other similar combustible materials.

10.13.8 Combustible vegetation and natural cut Christmas trees shall not be located near heating vents or other fixed or portable heating devices that could cause it to dry out prematurely or to be ignited.

10.13.9 Provisions for Natural Cut Trees.

10.13.9.1 Where a natural cut tree is permitted, the bottom end of the trunk shall be cut off with a straight fresh cut at least 1∕ 2 in. (13 mm) above the end prior to placing the tree in a stand to allow the tree to absorb water.

10.13.9.2 The tree shall be placed in a suitable stand with water.

10.13.9.3 The water level shall be maintained above the fresh cut and checked at least once daily.

10.13.9.4 The tree shall be removed from the building immediately upon evidence of dryness.

10.13.10 Exterior Vegetation.

10.13.10.1 Cut or uncut weeds, grass, vines, and other vegetation shall be removed when determined by the AHJ to be a fire hazard.

10.13.10.2 When the AHJ determines that total removal of growth is impractical due to size or environmental factors, approved fuel breaks shall be established.

10.13.10.3 Designated areas shall be cleared of combustible vegetation to establish the fuel breaks.

CLASSIFICATION OF FIRES

CLASSIFICATION OF FIRES

Fires are classed according to fuel and most effective extinguishing agent.

Class A

Fire involving common combustion material and which can be extinguished by use of water or water solution in form of jet and spray e.g. materials include wood, wood based material, cloth, rubber, and certain plastics.

Class B

Fires involving flammable or combustion liquids, paints, varnishes, greases and similar products, either miscible or immiscible with water.

Extinguishing agents include water spray, foam, carbon dioxide and dry chemicals.

Class C

Fires that involve gases or liquid gases in the form of a liquid spillage or a liquid or gas leak. Gases include methane, butane etc.

Foam or dry chemicals may be used to control class c fires involving shallow liquid spills, water in the form of spray is used to cool the containers.

Class D: 

Fires that involve combustion metals, e.g. sodium, magnesium etc.

Extinguishing agents like water, CO2 and bicarbonates are infective and hazardous if used.

Powered graphite, powered talc, soda ash, limestone and dry sand are normally suitable for extinguishing class d type fires.

Class K:

Class K fires involve combustible cooking media such as oils and grease commonly found in commercial kitchens. The new cooking media formulations used form commercial food preparation require a special wet chemical extinguishing agent that is specially suited for extinguishing and suppressing these extremely hot fires that have the ability to reflash.

Electrical Fires

Electrical fire by itself does not constitute a class since any fire involving or started by electrical equipment will be a fire of class a, b, c or d.

In case of a fire involving electrical equipment, electricity supply to the respective equipment must be cut off and an extinguishing medium appropriate to what is burning must be used.

NOTE: Although ABC and BC Dry Chemical extinguishers can control a fire involving electronic equipment, the National Fire Code (NFPA 75-1999 edition), Section 6-3-2, specifically advises against dry-chemical extinguishers for fires involving computers or other delicate electronic equipment due to the potential damage from residues.

Standard for the Protection of Electronic Computer/Data Processing Equipment

6-3.2 Listed extinguishers with a minimum rating of 2-A shall be provided for use on fires in ordinary combustible materials, such as paper and plastics. Dry chemical extinguishers shall not be permitted."

Class F:

New class specifically dealing with high temperature (  360°C) cooking oils used in large industrial catering kitchens, restaurants and takeaway establishments’ etc. Cooking oil fires, because of their high auto-ignition temperatures, are difficult to extinguish.

Conventional extinguishers are not effective for cooking oil fires, as they do not cool sufficiently or may even cause flash back, thereby putting the operator at risk.  These extinguishers contain a specially formulated wet chemical which, when applied to the burning liquid, cools and emulsifies the oil, extinguishing  the  flame,  sealing  the  surface  and preventing re-ignition.