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Christmas Tree The below conditions shall be met prior to placement of natural resin-bearing cut trees in public buildings, schools, and buildings of public assembly. Natural cut trees are allowed in Occupancy Groups A, E, M, R-1, and R-2 if the building is protected by an automatic sprinkler system. Placement of any natural cut tree shall be prohibited in Group I-1, I-2, I-3, I-4, and R-2 occupancies that provide licensed care to clients. These would typically be institutional settings. 1. Natural cut trees shall be prohibited in Group I-1, I-2, I-3, I-4, and R-2 occupancies providing licensed care to clients in one of the categories listed in IFC section 806.1.1 regulated by either the Washington Department of Health or the Department of Social and Health Services. 2. The support device that holds the tree in an upright position shall be of a type that is stable and that meets all of the following criteria: a. The device shall hold the tree securely and be of adequate size to avoid tipping over of the tree. b. The device shall be capable of containing a minimum supply of water in accordance with the table shown below. c. The water level, when full, shall cover the tree stem at least two inches The water level shall be maintained above the fresh cut and checked at least once daily. 3. Decorations shall be constructed of fire retardant materials. 4. The use of unlisted electrical wiring and lighting on natural cut trees and artificial decorative vegetation shall be prohibited. 5. Prior to setting up a tree, the trunk shall have a fresh butt cut at least ½” above the original cut. 6 All trees shall be placed not less than six feet or the height of the tree, whichever is greater, from exit pathways or sources of heat. 7. The tree shall be removed from the building whenever the tree needles or leaves fall off readily when a tree branch is shaken or if the needles are brittle and break when bent between the thumb and the index finger, or whenever determined necessary by the fire code official. The tree shall be checked daily for dryness. 8. Candles and open flames shall not be used on or near a tree within a distance equal to the height of the tree. (Continue next page) FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRE MARSHAL POLICY Everett Fire Department Fire Marshal’s Office [PHONE REDACTED] [EMAIL REDACTED] www.EverettFire.org ---PAGE BREAK--- SUPPORT STAND WATER CAPACITY TREE STEM DIAMETER (inches) MINIMUM SUPPORT STAND WATER CAPACITY (Gallons) TYPICAL DAILY WATER TRANSPIRATION AMOUNT (Gallons) Up to 4 1 ¼ to 1 4 to 6 1 ½ 1 ¾ to 1 ½ 7 to 8 2 1 ¼ to 2 9 to 12 3 2 ¼ to 3 13 and over 4 Over 3 Reference: 2012 IFC, Section 806 Everett Fire Department Fire Marshal’s Office [PHONE REDACTED] [EMAIL REDACTED] www.EverettFire.org