Understanding Fire Codes and Fire-Test Documentation for Artificial Greenery
If you're outfitting a hotel lobby, restaurant, hospital common area, or other commercial space, fire code has probably come up, usually right around the time you start picking out greenery. If you've tried to read what the codes say, you've noticed they don't make it easy: overlapping standards, references that point to other references, and rules that change depending on what city or state you're in.
This guide makes understanding fire codes a little less overwhelming, specifically as they apply to artificial plants, trees, and flowers in commercial interiors.
Fire-test documentation varies by foliage material. If documentation is requested for a project, ask whether the reviewer needs an ASTM E84 report, an NFPA 701 report or current California State Fire Marshal registration.
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Four Fire-Safety References That Come Up Most Often
When fire-safety documentation involves decorative artificial greenery, four references come up most often: NFPA 701, ASTM E84, California State Fire Marshal registration and NFPA 705.
NFPA 701
NFPA 701 is a laboratory test method for assessing flame propagation in textiles and films. For our documented AR and AUR polyethylene (LDPE) foliage group, the applicable NFPA 701 Method 1 report concludes that the tested material passed.
NFPA 701 is commonly referenced for combustible artificial decorative vegetation. The applicable requirement depends on the adopted code and how the greenery is used, so NFPA 701 should not be presented as the applicable report for every IFR product.
ASTM E84
ASTM E84 measures the surface-burning characteristics of building materials. For our documented GR, PR, PUR and WR polyester foliage group, the applicable report records a Flame Spread Index of 0 and Smoke Developed Index of 130, results within the Class A limits stated in the report.
California State Fire Marshal Registration and "Title 19" Requests
Customers sometimes ask for "Title 19 documentation." Our documented polyester and polyethylene foliage groups have current California State Fire Marshal Fabric Registration. The registration states that the registered foliage meets the minimum flame-resistance requirements for products identified in California Health and Safety Code Section 13115.
The California registration accompanies the applicable material-group laboratory report; it does not make every IFR product NFPA 701 compliant. NFPA 701 Method 1 applies to the AR and AUR polyethylene group, while ASTM E84 Class A results apply to the GR, PR, PUR and WR polyester group.
NFPA 705
NFPA 705 is a recommended practice that gives enforcement officials a field method for evaluating whether textiles and films tend to sustain burning. It is an on-site indicator rather than a replacement for the applicable laboratory report or California registration.
For our documented polyester and polyethylene foliage groups, the fire-retardant additive is incorporated into the material during manufacturing rather than applied afterward as a topical treatment. It will not wash away or leave the oily surface residue associated with some topical applications.
What This Looks Like by Venue Type
What most facilities and property managers really want to know is, "What fire-test documentation can I request for greenery in this space?"
The documentation most often requested depends on the foliage material and project. Here's a practical starting point:
- Hotels: Public spaces such as lobbies, dining rooms, conference rooms and corridors are common places for documented IFR greenery. Fire-resistant artificial trees and IFR palms are popular choices.
- Restaurants and dining venues: Restaurants often use documented IFR greenery in public spaces. Fire-retardant artificial flowers are a popular fit, and project reviewers may request the applicable material-group report.
- Hospitals and healthcare facilities: Public areas often have formal décor-submittal processes, so keeping the applicable material-group documentation available is helpful.
- Offices and high-rise corridors: Building management may set different décor requirements for private suites and shared areas such as corridors and elevator lobbies.
- Schools, theaters and houses of worship: These spaces often benefit from documented IFR greenery, particularly in assembly and public areas.
- Event and convention spaces: Venues may maintain their own décor policies and request material-group fire-test documentation before installation.
Requirements and documentation processes can vary by jurisdiction and venue, even when the same model code is used.
The Paperwork Side
Fire-test reports and California registration are provided by foliage-material group rather than separately for every finished product or SKU. If documentation is requested, the important step is identifying which material group applies to the product.
Natural wood trunks are outside the scope of the foliage reports. Products with "IFR PVC" in the title belong to a separate manufacturer-designated IFR PVC group and do not have a material-specific fire-test report. We have sold these items nationwide for more than a decade without a known fire-marshal issue; if documentation is requested, ask whether the manufacturer's IFR designation is sufficient.
Available Fire-Test Documentation
After purchase, we can provide the applicable material-group documentation. For AR and AUR products in our documented polyethylene foliage group, the NFPA 701 Method 1 report concludes that the tested material passed. For GR, PR, PUR and WR products in our documented polyester foliage group, the ASTM E84 report records Class A results. Both documented groups have current California State Fire Marshal Fabric Registration. These documents are shared by foliage-material group rather than issued separately for every SKU. Products with "IFR PVC" in the title do not have a material-specific report.
The Short Version
Check the product title first: products with "IFR PVC" in the title do not have a material-specific report. For other IFR products, match the documentation by foliage-material group: AR and AUR products use the NFPA 701 Method 1 report, while GR, PR, PUR and WR products use the ASTM E84 report with Class A results. Both documented groups have current California State Fire Marshal registration, and applicable documents are available on request after purchase.
Partner With SAF for IFR Artificial Plants
Silks Are Forever's IFR artificial plants combine realistic design with material-specific fire documentation for our documented polyester and polyethylene foliage groups. Browse our collection, and contact our team if you need help identifying the applicable documentation for a product.
Frequently Asked Questions: Understanding Fire Codes
Does passing NFPA 701 testing automatically mean an artificial plant meets fire code requirements in every U.S. state and city?
No single laboratory test guarantees acceptance in every jurisdiction. For our documented AR and AUR polyethylene foliage group, the applicable NFPA 701 Method 1 report concludes that the tested material passed. Our documented GR, PR, PUR and WR polyester foliage group has an ASTM E84 report with Class A results. Both documented groups also have current California State Fire Marshal Fabric Registration.
If artificial plants were installed years ago without fire-test documentation, do they need to be replaced to pass a current inspection, or can they be treated after the fact?
Some existing décor may be eligible for an approved topical treatment. IFR foliage is different: for our documented polyester and polyethylene groups, the additive is incorporated into the material during manufacturing and will not wash away or leave the oily residue associated with some topical applications.
Is a certificate of compliance provided by a supplier with a purchase, or does it need to be obtained separately through a third-party testing lab?
After purchase, we can provide the laboratory report and current California certificate applicable to the documented foliage-material group. These documents are shared by foliage-material group rather than issued separately for every SKU. We match a product to its group using the title and SKU prefix. Products with "IFR PVC" in the title do not have a material-specific report.
