Theme Parties and Decorations

This policy applies to all Duke University facilities to include Campus, Medical Center, Hospital and Health System. All students, visitors, and employees must adhere to this policy when planning a theme party, event, meeting, or decorating any work area. Notify OESO-Fire Safety as soon as possible but no less than 72 hours prior to the placement of decorations.

General Restrictions

• The use of pyrotechnics by individuals or performers is prohibited on campus.
• Fog and smoke machines may not be used inside facilities without written authorization of the OESO-Fire Safety Division.
• Animal(s), regardless of size or species, are strictly prohibited to attend or participate in any event, party, or meeting.
• Water, waterfalls, pools, spraying water, running water, or utilizing water in any way is strictly prohibited.
• Combustible natural decorations such as straw, hay, corn fodder, dried flowers, bamboo, and other similar decorations are prohibited as decoration inside facilities without written authorization from the OESO-Fire Safety Division.
• Combustible decorations shall be prohibited in all healthcare occupancies (Hospital, Duke Clinic, PDC, etc.) unless they are flame retardant. (Exception: Combustible decorations, such as photographs and paintings, in such limited quantities that a hazard of fire development or spread is not present).
• All doors (i.e., exit, smoke, fire, interior, exterior), hallways or any other means of egress may not be covered or blocked in any manner by decorations.
• Trash must not be allowed to accumulate, but collected in appropriate containers during the event and removed at the close of the event.
  

Electrical Safety and Holiday Lighting

• All electrical lights, electrical equipment, animated or electrical decorations must be UL listed.
• Manufacturer’s instruction and precautions shall be followed.
• Each living group or office should have an appointed representative to ensure that the electrical decorations are de-energized at the end of the day.
• Any light string with worn, frayed, broken cords, loose bulb connections, and empty sockets shall not be used.
• Use of holiday lights and light strings shall be limited to reduce overheating.
• Lights shall not have more than three strings of light connected to each other.
• The use of lights and wiring on metal Christmas trees (aluminum trees from the ’50s & ’60s as defined by the NC Department of Insurance) is prohibited.
• Fiber optic and pre-wired artificial trees are acceptable as long as they are UL listed.
• Only indoor lights will be used inside facilities.
• Light strings or electrical decorations shall be de-energized before replacing bulbs or fuses.
• Light strings must be mounted in a manner that will not damage the cord’s insulation.
• Light strings should be plugged directly into an outlet or an electrical surge protector with built-in circuit breaker.

Holiday Decorations

General. All decorations (to include artificial greenery such as wreaths and holly) must be non-combustible, inherently flame resistant or treated with an approved fire retardant in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications that will pass NFPA 701 test. Decorative materials shall not exceed 10% of the aggregate of wall and ceilings.

All combustible party decorations shall be removed from the area immediately following the event.

Exception: During the holiday season decorations shall be removed no later than December 30th. Residence halls shall have all decorations removed no later than the closing of the residence halls by Residence Life and Housing Services.

Live Greenery and Christmas Trees. Live greenery, such as Christmas trees, pine wreaths and holly, are prohibited inside the hospital, medical center facilities, and residence halls. In addition, live greenery is prohibited in assembly areas, education facilities, schools, day cares, stores, businesses, residence halls, and hotels unless the building is protected throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system.

Artificial greenery may be utilized if it meets the general and electrical requirements as listed above.

Where Christmas trees and live greenery are allowed by code, they must adhere to the following:

• Only one tree will be purchased for each department or group and the tree will be located in a common area, reception area or lounge.
• All trees shall be prepared by sawing off the trunk of the tree at an angle at least one-half inch or more above the original cut and spraying the tree with an approved fire retardant in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications as required by NC State Building Code.
• The tree will be placed within a tree holder/stand capable of containing water to prevent drying. The stand will be checked daily to assure the water level is adequate.
• Live greenery shall not be placed near any heat sources (direct or radiant).
• Smoking or open flames shall be prohibited near live greenery.
• The tree shall be removed from the facility whenever the 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.
  

Candle Safety

Candles or other open flames are strictly forbidden for use inside all university facilities. The only exception to this policy is the use of candles during recognized religious ceremonies. Those individuals wishing to utilize candles in observance of a religious holiday shall first contact OESO-Fire Safety Division to obtain information concerning fire prevention. If the Fire Safety Division has approved the use of a candle(s), basic safety guidelines should be followed (e.g., do not leave a lighted candle unattended, keep area around candle free of combustible materials, place candle in a fire-resistant holder on a stable surface).