NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, Combustible Decorative Features, and the Las Vegas Strip

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NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, Combustible Decorative Features, and the Las Vegas Strip
Douglas Evans, DHE FPE LLC Marcelo Hirschler, GBH International

Combustible decorative features are regulated by NFPA 101 and fire codes. These codes require such features meet specific small ignition source fire tests but rarely limit the size or quantity of the features. Many of the facilities on The Las Vegas Strip include unique themed environments and contain artificial trees, large statues, giant signs/LED screens, hand-painted canvas murals adhered to walls and even buildings within the main structure. Fire tests exist to ensure a reasonable level of safety, but the tests normally required for decorations were not intended for large features with high combustible content. This presentation will address notable fire losses, code requirements and applicable fire tests, as well as alternate recommendations to achieve a reasonable level of fire safety.

Presented by:

Douglas Evans, DHE FPE LLC
After 22 years as a Fire Protection Engineer with Clark County (Nevada) Building Department, Douglas Evans founded DHE FPE, LLC to provide specialized consulting services to the construction industry. In his position with Clark County, his primary focus was coordinating fire protection aspects for the mega-resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. Although this specialization requires a working knowledge of most fire protection aspects, Mr. Evans is primarily known for his expertise in plastics/foam plastics in building construction, unique interior features, and smoke management systems. Mr. Evans is a Fellow of the SFPE, a member of NFPA, and a registered Fire Protection Engineer.

Marcelo Hirschler, GBH International
Dr. Marcelo Hirschler has a background in university and industry and as a private fire safety consultant (on product liability, research and codes/standards). He has been involved with proposals for the development and amendment of codes and standards (NFPA, ASTM, ICC, CSA, ISO) for many years. He is a member of several NFPA technical committees and chair of the Glossary in Terminology NFPA Advisory Committee. He has published extensively in all areas of fire safety with special emphasis on fire tests (almost 500 publications). He has also been involved in fire litigation, mainly in terms of the fire performance of combustible materials and the products into which they are made. Experience in that area has focused on fire safety of consumer products (cars, mattresses, upholstered furniture, textiles, including apparel and protective clothing), fire testing, results interpretation, and analysis of fire consequences by comparison with known information and with the scenario in question.