Decorations and Scenery

NYC Fire Code § FC 805

in effect

Section FC 805: Decorations and Scenery 805.1 Decorations. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, decorations shall be made of flame-resistant material in Group A, E, I and M occupancies, Group R-1 college and university dormitories, common areas in Group B, R-1 and R-2 occupancies, and any building or structure used as a place of public gathering. Exceptions: 1. Acoustical or other decorative materials consisting of foam plastics with a maximum heat release rate of 100 kW when tested in accordance with UL 1975. 2. Artwork in a museum or art gallery. 3. Artwork on the walls of building hallway corridors in Group B office and Group R-2 occupancies, provided that the wall area covered by such artwork does not exceed 20 percent of any wall in any occupancy not protected throughout by a sprinkler system or 50 percent of any wall in any occupancy protected throughout by a sprinkler system, and the artwork is affixed in a manner that prevents it from moving freely. 4. Artwork and educational materials in classrooms in Group E and I-4 occupancies, and on the walls of corridors in such occupancies, provided that the corridor wall area covered by such artwork and materials does not exceed 20 percent of any wall, and the artwork and materials are affixed in a manner that prevents them from moving freely. 5. Curtains, draperies, hangings and other decorative materials suspended from walls of sleeping units and dwelling units in Occupancy Group R-1 dormitories protected throughout by a sprinkler system, where the total amount of such materials does not exceed 25 percent of the aggregate area of walls. 6. Decorations displayed for sale. 7. Guest rooms in hotels and motels. 8. Decorations in houses of worship, including wood used for screening or ornamental purposes. 9. Decorations in private offices in commercial buildings. 805.1.1 Fabric partitions. In Group B and M occupancies, fabric partitions suspended from the ceiling and not supported by the floor shall be flame-resistant material. 805.1.2 Trim and decorative materials. The type and quantity of interior trim allowed shall be as set forth in Chapter 8 of the Building Code. The quantity of flame resistant materials used in decorations when combined with combustible trim shall not exceed 10 percent of the specific wall or ceiling area to which it is attached. 805.1.3 Reserved. 805.1.4 Motion picture screens. Motion picture screens and supporting construction shall comply with the requirements of FC 306.3. 805.2 Scenery. All scenery in Group A occupancies shall be made of materials that are inherently flame-resistant, have a Class A flame-spread rating, or rendered flame resistant by the application of a fire-retardant coating, except that the commissioner may authorize the use of scenery not complying with any of the above requirements where provision is made to ensure an equivalent level of fire safety. Foam plastic materials used for scenery shall have a maximum heat release rate of 100 kW when tested in accordance with UL 1975, or when tested in accordance with NFPA 289 using the 20 kW ignition source. 805.3. Outdoor decorative installations. In an outdoor place of assembly, outdoor place of public gathering or other outdoor common area in a building or occupancy set forth in FC 805.1, any decorative installation that is freestanding, more than 4 feet (1219 mm) in height, and under, through or around which the public or building occupants can enter or pass, shall be flame-resistant material, except as otherwise authorized by the department.

Source: City of New York, Charter, Administrative Code and Rules (American Legal Publishing XML export, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/newyorkcity/latest/NYCadmin/0-0-0-143706Fetched: 10/24/2026