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Holiday Decorations

A SMU Fire Inspector shall inspect decorations prior to the event from the Office of Risk Management and Environmental Health & Safety (RMEH&S). In the case of Greek Houses, a chapter representative shall contact RMEH&S’s office to discuss all decorating plans and make arrangements for the inspection not less than 72 hours in advance of installation. With regard to the approval of all house decorations for events, the requirements of the SMU Fire Inspector are final.

Residence Halls will also be inspected to insure that all fire safety requirements are being observed in both the common and living areas.

The most common fire regulation violations in holiday decorations are the obstruction of paths of egress, improper use of electrical lighting, equipment and associated wiring, and flammable or combustible materials. Each of the aforementioned is strictly prohibited.

The Fire Inspector will consult with the chapter representative at the time of the inspection to insure that the activity and its decorations are in compliance with life safety requirements and established University Park Fire and Building Code, and that potential fire and safety hazards are eliminated to protect the members and their guests. In any case, the Fire Inspector’s requirements and recommendations will be upheld.

House Decorations

A. Decorative Materials for House Decorations

In general, the guidelines for approved and prohibited materials for house decorations are outlined in the subsection, "DECORATIVE MATERIALS" of these regulations. Those materials not listed, and the manner of display of all materials shall be evaluated at the time of a fire/safety inspection of the house decorations to determine if they are compatible with these regulations and the Uniform Building and Fire Codes.

B. Exit-ways

The following listed requirements represent general guidelines for maintaining acceptable exits and exit-ways for events:

  1. Exits

    1. No person shall at any time place an encumbrance of any kind before or upon any fire escape, balcony, or ladder intended as a means of escape from fire.
    2. No person shall place, store or keep, or permit to be placed, stored or kept on or under or at the bottom of any exit stairway, inside or outside, exit hallway, elevator or other means of egress, any materials the presence or the burning of which would obstruct or render hazardous, egress of persons from the building.
    3. All doors in or leading to required exit ways shall be kept unlocked at all times when the building or floor area served thereby is occupied.

  2. In rooms accommodating more than 50, required exit doorways, other than those normally used for entrance, shall be plainly marked by approved lighted exit signs, sufficiently illuminated when the floor area is occupied, to be readily distinguished. Where the exit doorways are not visible from all locations in public corridors, directional signs, as required by the University Park Fire Marshal's office, shall be placed on walls or otherwise displayed in conspicuous locations to direct occupants
    to exit doorways.

  3. Required stairways, hallways, and other means of egress, including exterior open spaces to or through which exit ways lead, shall be adequately lighted at all times that the building served thereby is occupied.

  4. It is unlawful to block open any stairway enclosure door, which leads to or from a floor of the building, and which by law, is required to be self-closing.

C. Aisles

In each room where chairs, or tables and chairs are used, the arrangement shall be such a way to allow a clear path to each exit doorway. Aisles leading directly to exit doorways shall have not less than 36 inches clear width which shall not be obstructed by chairs, tables, or any other objects. The use of tunnels, chutes, etc. within a room space. Corridor or stairway for access, entrance, or exit purposes is prohibited.

D. Number of Occupants Permitted

The maximum number of occupants permitted shall be determined by the capacity of the exit ways provided. Determinations of this nature shall be made by the University Park Fire Marshal's office.

E. Fire Control

All fire protection equipment shall be in working order and shall be visible and convenient at all times. This shall include extinguishers, hoses, alarm boxes, etc. Sufficient extinguishers shall be provided to protect areas in accordance with University Park codes.

F. Electrical

All controls, lights, appliances, or other electrical equipment used as a part of or in conjunction with decorations shall be installed in an approved manner and all wiring shall be of sufficient capacity to safely conduct the required power supply loads.

G. Open Flames

The use of unguarded fires or flames in fireplace, candles or other forms shall not be permitted. Candles are not permitted in residence halls, Greek Houses or any SMU owned building.

These regulations listed may be considered as general requirements, however, additional requirements may be made by inspectors from the University Park Fire Marshal's office, determined by the circumstances involved in individual events.

Outdoor Decorations

The regulations set forth below are intended to serve as general guidelines for individuals involved in planning or constructing outdoor decorations or floats; the information is not all-inclusive and specific questions or problems should be directed to the SMU Fire Safety Officer.

A. Outdoor Decorations

  1. Decorative materials shall be flame-proofed or non-combustible in accordance with the information presented in the subsection, "Flame-proof Materials."

  2. Decorations shall be self-supporting and be placed as far away from buildings as possible. In no case shall decorations be less than ten feet from a building or appurtenance thereto. Utility equipment such as telephone poles, guy-wires, fire hydrants, gas or electric meters, or building service entrance wiring or connections shall not be used to support, as part of, or obstructed by decorations. Decorations may not block access to or egress from any building, any driveway, or any sidewalk. Due care shall be exercised to avoid contact with any power supply overhead wiring
    when erecting or removing decorations.

  3. There shall be no open flames permitted without a WRITTEN permit from the City of University Park Fire Department (Fire Prevention Bureau).

  4. All wiring, controls, lights, appliances, or other electrical equipment used as a part of or in conjunction with decorations shall be of a type approved for outdoor use, installed in an approved manner, and of sufficient capacity to accommodate the electrical load imposed. There shall be no open splices, frayed wiring, cracked insulation, defective equipment, or other indications of weakness permitted in wiring. All exposed light bulbs, spotlights, floodlights, etc. shall be guarded. No light source shall be permitted to be in contact with any surface and such devices shall be
    securely anchored in place to prevent accidental upsetting if struck and so-positioned that heat from the device will not create a hazard.

  5. Fire extinguishing equipment shall be kept readily available and in operating order. Such equipment shall be available within seventy-five (75') of any outdoor decoration.

  6. There shall be NO SMOKING AND "NO SMOKING" regulations shall be observed in the vicinity of outdoor decorations during the periods of their construction, use, and demolition.

  7. Outdoor decorations shall be removed within forty-eight (48) hours following the event for whichthey are used.

Christmas Decorations

The following regulations shall be followed concerning holiday decorations in fraternity and sorority houses. Cut trees are no longer allowed for use on University property and due to the hazards and problems involved.

A. Prohibited Materials

The following commonly used materials cannot be flame-proofed and therefore may not be used for decoration under any circumstances:

  • Hay
  • Dry Moss
  • Cut Trees
  • Wood Shavings
  • Straw
  • Turpentine
  • Sawdust
  • Dry Leaves
  • Confetti
  • Flammable Liquids
  • Corn Stalk
  • Cotton
  • Flammable Powders
  • Corn Shucks
  • Cedar Trees
  • Bamboo
  • Tumbleweed
  • Cedar Branches

B. Christmas Tree Selection, Location, and Care

For safety reasons, only artificial trees can be used for interior decorations. Only those artificial trees labeled as "fire resistant," "flame retardant" or similarly indicating that the material used is noncombustible or resistive to burning shall be used.

Trees used indoors must be less than six feet tall or not extend higher than one-foot form the ceiling, whichever is smaller.

Locate trees away from exits and paths to exits, being careful not to block doors, aisles, corridors, equipment, or access to facilities.

Keep trees away from heat sources such as radiators, air vents, large appliances, and lights.

C. Lighting Safety

  • Lighting devices using open flame or high heat, such as candles, lanterns, oil lamps, etc., are absolutely prohibited.

  • Each electric light set used must bear the Underwriters' Laboratories (UL) label. Inspect each set, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, and loose connections. Discard damaged sets.

  • Use no more than three sets of lights per extension cord. Do not overload electrical outlets (cube taps are prohibited) . Use only UL labeled extension cords.

  • Protect wires from damage. Do not run wires under carpet, through doorways, or across aisles or corridors. Do not place wires where they will be walked on. Do not use nails or tacks to hang wires.

  • DO NOT PLACE ELECTRIC LIGHTS ON A METALLIC TREE! Use spotlights for illumination.

  • Unplug lights when unnecessary for display illumination.

D. Other Decorations

  1. Use only materials labeled as flame retardant or non-combustible.

  2. Do not block or obscure exit, paths to exits, or exit lights.

  3. Keep away from heat sources. Do not smoke near decorations.

  4. Do not hang decorations from or attach them to any fire equipment or fire alarm devices.

E. Removal of Decorations

All Christmas decorations should be removed prior to closing the house for the Christmas holiday period.

Reports of violations of these regulations shall be investigated by the SMU Fire Inspector.