Medical Center Holiday Decorations
There has been an increasing tendency in recent years for staff to decorate patient care and medical center facilities for holidays. There are numerous fire safety-related hazards that can be created by such decorations. Policies concerning holiday decorations vary dependent upon the type of building construction, occupancy and fire detection and suppression equipment utilized. The following are a number of holiday decoration guidelines for patient care and medical center facilities:
The use of natural trees (cut or alive), natural wreaths, garland, boughs, or greenery is prohibited except as approved by the Fire Marshal because of its fire potential and rapid flame spread.
Only use artificial trees, wreaths, garland, boughs, or greenery labeled as fire resistant or flame retardant and that are UL listed or classified are permitted.
Do not place electric lights on metallic trees. Remote spotlights are recommended for use with metal trees to avoid an electrical hazard.
Christmas trees and related decorations are not permitted in corridors, aisles, stairways or passageways. Trees and related decorations are not allowed to obstruct the usual view of exit signs.
The following combustible materials are prohibited for use in holiday decorations – hay or straw, bamboo, dry moss, wood shavings, dry leaves, wood back, corn stalks and corn shucks, saw dust, tumbleweed, flammable powders or liquids, plastic sheeting/pallets, cotton batting, flock, paper streamers or confetti in large quantities.
For holiday decorations, use foil decorations such as satin balls or holiday ribbon. Limited spray snow is permissible.
Every electric light set used must bear the Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM) label and be identified for indoor use.
All holiday lights shall be turned off before leaving the area.
The use of holiday lights, electric ornaments and extension cords in corridors and over exit doors is prohibited. This includes the stem areas into patient units.
No extension cords can be used.
Use no more than three sets of holiday lights.
Before use, light strings should be carefully checked to ensure there are no loose sockets and that wires are not frayed or damaged.
Light strings can generate enough heat to ignite paper or cardboard. Holiday lights should not come into contact with paper, packages, cloth or other combustible items.
Electrical outlets should not be overloaded – cube taps are prohibited. Use only the gray or brown electrical outlets as they are not on emergency power circuit.
Light strings should not be attached to walls or molding with staples, tacks, nails or paper tape. Use electrical tape or string them with cup-type hooks.
The use of candles, lanterns, oil lamps or any type of other open flames in prohibited. Refer to the Open Flame, Candle Guideline. As an option, an electrical candle may be used.
QUESTIONS? Contact the EH&S Fire Marshal's Office at (585) 275-3243 or e-mail EH&S Questions.
This page last updated 1/18/2008. Disclaimer.
