Media advisory: Facts about fire prevention codes and Christmas
trees
• In states, counties and cities where the 2000 International Fire Code
is enforced without amendments, cut root trees, including Christmas trees, are
prohibited in individual apartments and condos unless the building has approved
sprinklers. Trees with root balls or live, potted trees are not prohibited.
• The 2003 edition of the International Fire Code allows cut root trees
in individual apartments and condos without sprinkler protection, but NOT in
common areas.
• The revision in the 2003 edition of the International Fire Code is the
result of building safety and fire prevention officials who found the regulation
interfered with traditional practices, was impractical and not enforceable without
excessive effort by code enforcement officials.
• Both the 2000 and 2003 editions of the International Fire Code allow
cut root trees, including Christmas trees, in single-family homes and townhouses.
• Both the 2000 and 2003 editions of the International Fire Code prohibit
cut root trees in common areas of apartment buildings and condos.
• Both the 2000 and 2003 editions of the International Fire Code prohibit
cut root trees in convents, monasteries, dorms, residential hotels/motels, restaurants,
theaters, churches, bowling alleys, schools, stores, malls and other similar
areas where groups of people assemble unless the building has approved sprinklers.
• Both the 2000 and 2003 editions of the International Fire Code prohibit
cut root trees in nursing homes, hospitals and day care centers with or without
an approved automatic sprinkler system.
• Both the 2000 and 2003 editions of the International Fire Code prohibit
lit candles on Christmas trees and candles close enough to the tree be a fire
hazard, require tree stands strong enough to support the tree and require approved
electric lights with a recognized label demonstrating they are safe.
• The International Code Council, a membership association dedicated
to building safety and fire prevention, develops the codes used to construct
residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. The majority
of U.S. cities, counties and states that adopt codes choose building safety
and fire prevention codes developed by the ICC.
The ICC, a 50,000-member association dedicated to building safety, develops
the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including
homes and schools. The majority of U.S. cities, counties and states that adopt
codes choose building safety and fire prevention codes developed by the ICC.
