Natural trees
The following are requirements found in the 2020 Minnesota State Fire Code (MSFC) relating to holiday or natural trees (also known as Christmas trees or resin-bearing trees) and decorative vegetation.
Holiday trees and where allowed
There are two types of holiday or decorative trees — natural cut (resin-bearing) trees and flame retardant artificial trees. The following table shows each occupancy classification, what type of tree is allowed based on automatic fire sprinklers, and if decorative lights are allowed.
|
Occupancy group |
Description |
Flame retardant tree allowed and listed lights? |
Natural trees allowed with fire sprinklers? |
Listed decorative lights allowed on natural trees with sprinklers? |
Natural trees allowed without fire sprinklers?
|
Listed decorative lights allowed on natural trees without sprinklers? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
A |
Assembly – buildings with 50 or more people |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes
|
No |
N/A – trees not allowed |
|
A-3 |
Places of religious worship |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
B |
Business |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
B |
Ambulatory care facilities |
Yes |
No |
N/A – trees not allowed |
No |
N/A – trees not allowed |
|
E |
Educational - schools, preschools, day care |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
F |
Factories, industrial, manufacturing |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
N/A – trees not allowed |
|
H |
Hazardous – dangerous chemicals |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
N/A – trees not allowed |
|
I |
Institutional – hospitals, nursing homes, jails |
Yes |
No |
N/A – trees not allowed |
No |
N/A – trees not allowed |
|
M |
Mercantile, retail stores |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Occupancy Group |
Description |
Flame retardant tree allowed and listed lights? |
Natural trees allowed with fire sprinklers? |
Listed decorative lights allowed on natural trees with sprinklers? |
Natural trees allowed without fire sprinklers?
|
Listed decorative lights allowed on natural trees without sprinklers? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
R-1 |
Hotel / Motel – transient living |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
N/A – trees not allowed |
|
R-2 – Common Area |
Apartments |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
N/A – trees not allowed |
|
R-2 – Inside Dwelling Unit |
Apartments |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
R-3 – Inside Dwelling Unit |
1 and 2 family dwellings / townhouses |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
R-4 |
Assisted living / supervised living / licensed facilities |
Yes |
No |
N/A – trees not allowed |
No |
N/A – trees not allowed |
|
S |
Storage |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
N/A – trees not allowed |
|
U |
Utility buildings |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
N/A – trees not allowed |
More information about using holiday trees
Wreaths and similar natural vegetation used as decorations
Questions?
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