Displays & Decorative Materials Inside Schools

Displays & Decorative Materials In Schools

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Office of the Fire Marshal
Fire Prevention Division
Fire Inspections
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Location: Burkholder Building
10700 Page Avenue
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Telephone: 703-246-4849
TTY: 703-385-4419

POLICY FOR DISPLAYS AND DECORATIVE MATERIALS IN SCHOOLS
December 2003

The Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code defines Decorative Materials as: All materials, such as curtains, draperies, fabrics and surface coverings applied over the building finish for decorative, acoustical or other effect; additionally cloth, cotton, hay, straw, vines, leaves, trees and similar items utilized for decorative effect, including foam plastics and materials containing plastics.

The Statewide Fire Prevention Code, Section F-306.1, states that ALL decorative materials shall either be non-combustible or flame resistant.

The Office of the Fire Marshal recognizes the importance of displaying children's artwork and other educational materials within the schools. Therefore, this policy shall be strictly adhered to regarding the display of any materials.

ALL AREAS
1.	No materials may be suspended from any ceilings.
2.	No materials may be suspended from any light fixture or any component of the fire protection system (sprinkler heads, smoke or heat detectors, horn or strobe lights.)
3.	No material may be displayed in a manner that obstructs required signage, exit or emergency lighting.
4.	Artificial Vegetation. Artificial decorative vegetation (moss, wood chips, etc.) shall be flame resistant or flame retardant. Such flame resistance or flame retardant shall be documented and certified by the manufacturer in an approved manner.
HALLS
5.	No three-dimensional materials may be displayed in halls. All materials must be flat to the wall.
6.	No combustible material may be attached to a door or frame or in an exit stairwell.
7.	All combustible material shall be at least 3 feet away from any door frame or entry way.
8.	All combustible material shall be at least 3 feet above the floor.
9.	No combustible material may be placed higher than the top of adjacent doorframes or more than 7 feet from the floor.
10.	Displays shall not exceed 25 feet in length.
11.	A 10 foot separation shall be required between 25-foot long displays.
ROOMS
12.	No combustible material may be attached to the front or back of an entry door. The only exception is the Crisis Management & Security Plan that will be mounted on the back of the door in every classroom.
13.	No combustible material may be displayed or mounted within 24 inches of the ceiling.

  A.   No combustible material on either side of doors.
  B.   Three (3) foot minimum.
  C.   Three (3)foot minimum.
  D.   No higher than adjacent door frames.
  E.   Seven (7) foot maximum.
  F.   Twenty-five (25) foot maximum.
  G.   Ten (10) foot minimum separation.

Fairfax County is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in all county programs, services and activities and will provide this document in alternative formats and in different languages upon request. Please call 703-246-4753 (TTY: 711 or 1-800-828-1140) or write: Office of the Fire Marshal, Fire Prevention Division, 10700 Page Avenue, Fairfax, VA 22030. Please allow at least seven working days for preparation of material.