Artwork

Artwork

National Fire Protection Association Fire Prevention Code 1 (2012) 20.2.4.4.3

Artwork and teaching materials shall be permitted to be attached directly to the walls in accordance with the following:

1. For new occupancies, the artwork and teaching materials shall not exceed 20 percent of the wall area in a building that is not protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system.
2. For existing occupancies, the artwork and teaching materials shall not exceed 20 percent of the wall area in a building that is not protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system.
3. The artwork and teaching materials shall not exceed 50 percent of the wall area in a building that is protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system.

Artwork Commentary

Taken from the National Fire Protection Association Fire Prevention Code Handbook:

It is advantageous not only to limit the quantity of artwork displayed but also to avoid placing such materials near a room’s exit access doors. Because the combustibility of the artwork cannot be effectively controlled, the quantity, in terms of the percentage of wall area covered, is regulated to avoid creating a continuous combustible surface that will spread flame across the room.

Artwork Considerations

1. National Fire Protection Association Fire Prevention Code 1 (2012) 20.2.4.4.3
2. The 20% criterion refers to the wall area of each wall and not the aggregate wall area of a room or space.
3. Bookshelves placed against a wall or built-in are part of the wall surface, however books placed on the shelves are not part of the 20% provision.
4. Artwork can be attached only to the walls, not the ceiling. 

Furnishings and Decorations

National Fire Protection Association Fire Prevention Code 1 (2012) 20.2.4.4.1:

Draperies, curtains, and other similar furnishings and decorations in educational occupancies shall be in accordance with the provisions of 12.6.2 
12.6.2 Where required by the applicable provisions of this Code, draperies, curtains, and other similar loosely hanging furnishings and decorations shall meet the flame propagation performance criteria contained in NFPA 701, Standard Methods for Fire Test Flame Propagation of textiles and Films.

Fire Drills

Wisconsin Statute 118.07(2)(a):

Once each month, without previous warning, the person having direct charge of any public or private school shall drill all pupils in the proper method of departure from the building as if in case of fire, except when the person having direct charge deems that the health of the pupils may be endangered by inclement weather conditions. The school board or governing body of the private schools shall maintain for at least 7 years a record of each fire drill conducted.