527 CMR 10.09 (6)
The revised Massachusetts
Fire Code regulations pertaining to the hanging of student work and teaching
materials in schools became effective on July 18, 2003. A revision was made on September 19,
2003
The following is a summary
of the current rules:
Paper materials
displayed shall not exceed 20% of the total wall area. Paper materials
displayed shall be attached directly to the walls and shall not be permitted to
cover an egress door or be placed within five feet of an egress door. When determining wall areas in
accordance with 527 CMR 10.09 (5) (a), door and window openings shall be
included.
Exception 1:
Paper material displayed in fully enclosed viewing cabinets with glass or polycarbonate
viewing panels or covered with glass or polycarbonate sheet material
(Thermoplastic materials such as Plexiglas
are not acceptable ).
Exception 2:
Flame retardant paper material used for display.
Exception 3:
Paper material displays may cover up to 50% of the total wall area in
classrooms that are fully sprinklered in accordance with 780 CMR: The
Massachusetts State Building Code .
(b) Exit access passageways, assembly areas and
corridors. Paper materials displayed shall not exceed 10% of the surface
area of any wall. Such paper
material shall be positioned in such manner to avoid concentration of materials
to reduce flame spread in the event of a fire. In no event shall any one
grouping exceed a maximum horizontal measurement of 12 ft and a maximum
vertical measurement of 6 ft..
Groups of paper material shall be allowed as long as there is space
between each group equal to the horizontal width of the largest adjacent group. Paper material used for display shall be attached directly to the
walls and shall not be permitted to cover an egress door or be placed within
five feet of an egress door.
Exception
1: Paper material displayed in fully enclosed viewing cabinets with glass
or polycarbonate viewing panels or covered with glass or polycarbonate sheet
material. (Thermoplastic materials such as Plexiglas¨ are not acceptable.)
Exception 2: Flame retardant paper material
used for display.
Exception 3: Paper materials displayed shall
not exceed 50% of the surface area of any wall in buildings equipped with
automatic sprinklers in accordance with 780 CMR: The Massachusetts State Building Code.
Such paper material shall be positioned in such
manner to avoid concentration of materials to reduce flame spread in the event
of a fire. In no event shall any one grouping exceed a maximum horizontal
measurement of 12 ft and a maximum vertical measurement of 6 ft. Groups of paper material shall be
allowed as long as there is space between each group equal to at least ½
the horizontal width of the largest adjacent group. Paper materials displayed shall be attached directly to the walls and
shall not be permitted to cover an egress door or be placed within five feet of
an egress door.
(c) Exits and enclosed exit stairs.
Displayed paper materials shall not be permitted in exits and enclosed exit
stairs.
(d)
The provisions of 527 CMR 10.09(5) shall not prohibit the posting of exit
signage or evacuation plans established in accordance with 527 CMR 10.09(1).
(e)
The provisions of 527 CMR 10.09(5) shall not be applicable to any election
materials required by law to be posted during any local, state or federal
election.