Christmas trees and fire risks in retail stores

[kurnal]

I am currently looking at the subject of Christmas trees and means of controlling the level of risk in a retail store.

I am aware of two NIST reports, indirect links are available as follows:


http://homeproductsnmore.com/v/vspfiles/V4_Backup/christmas-tree-stands/christmas-tree-fire-safety-test-nist.htm

http://www.bfrl.nist.gov/bfrlnews/monthly_highlights/march_2009.htm

My client is about to install a 6metre conifer tree in the galleried area of his store, this has been a traditional feature for many years. Mindful of the fire risk implications I have been asked to investigate and make appropriate recommendations to control the risk.

Having seen the NIST videos I had originally been minded to recommend to my client that he should provide ongoing irrigation of the tree throughout the period, and to treat it with a flame retardant chemical such as the Envirograf product detailed on the attached link.

http://www.envirograf.com/acrobat/retardants.pdf


However, having studied the NIST reports attached I am moved to suggest that if the tree is irrigated by immersion in strict accordance with the detail contained in the first of the NIST links, the increased difficulty in igniting the tree and the consequent reduction in rate of growth, fire sustainability and rate of heat release this will reduce the risk to a tolerable level.

I will of course consider this further and also consider the geometry of the compartment and the increased volume of the fuel compared to the NIST report and consider additional controls such as ad hoc tests on samples taken from the tree during the run up to christmas in my specific fire risk assessment on this topic.

I would be very grateful to hear any observations.

[CivvyFSO]

If it is watered as you suggest then it will be less of a risk than the average crisps aisle in any supermarket.

Another link: http://www.fire.nist.gov/tree_fire.htm

[Allen Higginson]

I do long for the days when the supermarket malls were ablaze with burning Norwegian Spruce!

[wee brian]

BRE did some work on this too. I think it was published under the LPC banner.

From my, slightly unreliable memory, they came to the same conclusion - a wet tree is OK.

[ps]

Has nobody considered the very considerable risk to the poor fairy at the top of the tree?

[Allen Higginson]

The fairy now must wear a full five point harness, safety glasses and nomex overskirt in case of excessive heat from the lights.

[ps]

Glad to hear such resounding support for fairies. They have a hard time at this time of year and have no union to fight on their behalf.

[Dragonmaster]

If I was this particualr fairy (which I'm not - what I do at the weekend is my business) I would be more concerned where the top branch of the tree was inserted to keep me there. Does vaseline and Norweigan Spruce react to produce spontaneous ignition?

[Midland Retty]

Prof water your tree and all will be well

However you now need to consider general health and safety issues relaing to the general well being of the fairy.

Infact the term fairy is no longer considered appropriate and may actually be offensive to some sectors of society.

The new term for a Fairy (no offence meant) is "Non Denominational Genderless Religious Icon"

In some parts of the UK Fairies are now referred to as "Angelic Representational Statues or Entities" (or ARSE for short)

[AM]

Are they covered by the National Elf Service?

[nearlythere]

Are they covered by the National Elf Service?

Fairy funny AM.

[ps]

in fact, ho-ho-ho!