Addresses flame propagation of specified textiles, films, and decorative materials using the applicable test method.
01 · The governing question
There is no single nationwide “artificial greenery fire rating.”
The requirement can change with the adopted code, occupancy, venue policy, how the greenery is classified, whether it is hanging decoration or interior finish, and how the complete installation is assembled. Start with the AHJ’s written requirement—not a product nickname.
Reports comparative surface-burning characteristics for a specimen mounted as the method requires.
Adds California rules for specified occupancies, decorative materials, registration, labeling, application, and field review.
02 · Standards explained
NFPA 701, ASTM E84, and Title 19 answer different questions.
The names are often compressed into the phrase “fire rated.” That shortcut hides important differences in specimen type, mounting, measured outcomes, and regulatory use. A project reviewer can request one route, more than one, or a different test basis.
| Question | NFPA 701 | ASTM E84 | California Title 19 |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it measures | Flame propagation of specified textiles, films, and decorative materials. | Comparative surface-burning behavior, reported as a flame spread index and a smoke developed index. | Nothing — it is state regulation, not a test method. It sets rules for decorative materials in specified occupancies. |
| Typical specimen | Fabric, film, or combustible artificial decorative vegetation, with the method set by material type and areal density. | A building-material specimen prepared and mounted as the method requires. | The material as treated, labeled, and installed — plus the registration and paperwork behind it. |
| Where it is usually invoked | Decorative materials and hanging greenery in assembly and similar occupancies. | Exposed wall and ceiling surfaces reviewed as interior finish. | California projects, alongside rules for flame-retardant chemicals, labeling, application, and field review. |
| What it does not establish | Fire resistance, noncombustibility, or acceptance of your specific installation. | A noncombustible classification, or a fire-resistance rating. | That a document issued under a different test route satisfies a Title 19 request. |
| Who decides it applies | The authority having jurisdiction — every time. A report is evidence the reviewer weighs, not a decision the reviewer has already made. | ||
Standard 01 · flame propagation
NFPA 701: Method 1 vs. Method 2
NFPA 701 contains test methods for flame propagation of textiles and films. The applicable method depends on material type and areal density; Method 2 is not simply a “better rating” than Method 1.
Method 1
Generally addresses lower-areal-density materials, including specified fabrics and combustible artificial decorative vegetation at or below the standard’s threshold.
Method 2
Generally addresses specified heavier materials, films, reinforced or backed materials, and combustible artificial decorative vegetation above the threshold.
- Review the standard edition and the report’s specimen description.
- Confirm whether the tested item is a component or the applicable product configuration.
- Do not use NFPA 701 results as proof of fire resistance, noncombustibility, or universal acceptance.
Standard 02 · surface burning
ASTM E84
ASTM E84 is a comparative test of surface-burning behavior for building materials. It reports a flame spread index and smoke developed index for the tested specimen under the method’s controlled exposure and mounting conditions.
- It is commonly associated with exposed wall and ceiling surfaces.
- Specimen preparation, substrate, support, joints, and mounting can affect what the report describes.
- An E84 result by itself does not classify a material as noncombustible and does not create a fire-resistance rating.
- The AHJ decides whether E84 is the correct basis for the proposed artificial greenery installation.
Standard 03 · California regulation
California Title 19
California Title 19 is a body of state regulations, not a substitute name for NFPA 701. Its decorative-material provisions address specified occupancies and connect to rules for flame-retardant chemicals, fabrics, application concerns, registration, labeling, and field testing.
- The California State Fire Marshal identifies artificial plants among decorative materials within this regulatory program.
- Project classification, occupancy, material, treatment, labeling, and local review can all matter.
- A document from another test route does not automatically satisfy a Title 19 request.
- Ask the California AHJ for the exact submittal path before purchase or installation.
Product language matters: documentation is available for applicable product configurations. It describes performance under specified test conditions. It does not make every foliage style, backing, frame, adhesive, field modification, or substitute part of the documented configuration.
03 · Linkable reference index
State-by-state fire-code adoption index
This index records only states for which an official state agency page, state fire marshal page, or state rule source was verified. “Statewide” can still include amendments, limited enforcement scope, local overlays, or separate rules for particular occupancies.
19states traced to an
official state source
official state source
31states still
pending verification
pending verification
We publish a state only after reading its own agency page. The other 31 are listed below by name so you know exactly what is missing rather than guessing at a gap.
Last verified: 2026-08-11
| State | Adopted fire code + edition | Primary source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 2024 International Fire Code | Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management | State Fire Marshal use began April 13, 2026. The source describes state and county buildings, schools, specified occupancies, and areas without a locally adopted fire code; local adoption can govern elsewhere. |
| California | 2025 California Fire Code, Title 24, Part 9 | California Building Standards Commission California OSFM flame-retardant program | The 2025 Title 24 edition took effect January 1, 2026. Local amendments and the AHJ’s classification of the project still matter. |
| Colorado | 2021 International Fire Code | Colorado Secretary of State, 8 CCR 1507-101 | The rule applies where the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control is the AHJ and to property under its statutory oversight. Verify the locally adopted code elsewhere. |
| Connecticut | 2022 codes: 2021 IFC, 2021 NFPA 101, and 2021 NFPA 1 | Connecticut Office of State Fire Marshal | The Fire Safety Code uses the 2021 IFC for specified newer work and NFPA 101 for specified existing construction; the Fire Prevention Code is based on NFPA 1. Effective October 1, 2022. |
| Florida | 8th Edition (2023) Florida Fire Prevention Code; 2021 NFPA 1 and NFPA 101 | Florida State Fire Marshal | Effective December 31, 2023. Enforced by local fire officials; local amendments can also apply. |
| Georgia | 2024 International Fire Code with Georgia modifications | Georgia Rules, Subject 120-3-3 | Adopted as the Georgia State Minimum Fire Prevention Code. The rule also coordinates IFC provisions with adopted NFPA standards and AHJ decisions. |
| Illinois | 2015 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code | Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal | Effective January 1, 2020 as the state minimum fire-safety standard. Local codes can apply concurrently and may be more stringent. |
| Indiana | 2014 Indiana Fire Code, based on the 2012 IFC | Indiana DHS commission rules | 675 IAC 22-2.5 is listed as currently in effect. The state has an active committee reviewing a future 2024 IFC update. |
| Maryland | NFPA 1 (2018) and NFPA 101 (2018) | Maryland State Fire Prevention Code | The state regulation incorporates both standards with Maryland amendments. Check local amendments and occupancy-specific rules. |
| Massachusetts | 527 CMR 1.00, based on NFPA 1 (2021) | Massachusetts Department of Fire Services | The statewide code includes Massachusetts amendments. The 2021 base took effect December 9, 2022, with a later amendment package effective May 12, 2023. |
| Minnesota | 2020 Minnesota State Fire Code, based on the 2018 IFC | Minnesota Department of Public Safety | Adopted March 31, 2020 and applies throughout the state, subject to the source’s stated exceptions and state amendments. |
| Nevada | 2024 International Fire Code | Nevada State Fire Marshal | The State Fire Marshal states that enforcement of the 2024 codes began January 1, 2026. Local requirements can be more stringent; confirm the enforcing jurisdiction. |
| New York | 2025 Fire Code of New York State, based on the 2024 IFC | New York Department of State | Effective December 31, 2025. Applicability differs between construction/design provisions and administrative, maintenance, and operational provisions. |
| North Carolina | 2018 North Carolina Fire Code, based on the 2015 IFC | North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal | Effective January 1, 2019 and listed by the state as currently effective while the next code cycle proceeds. |
| Ohio | Ohio Fire Code: 2021 IFC, with 2024 IFC Chapter 12 | Ohio Administrative Code, Chapter 1301:7-7 | The current rule took effect November 20, 2025. It incorporates most chapters from the 2021 IFC and the energy-systems chapter from the 2024 IFC, with Ohio modifications. |
| Oregon | 2025 Oregon Fire Code, based on the 2024 IFC | Oregon State Fire Marshal | Effective October 1, 2025. The 180-day transition allowing 2022-code plan review ended March 31, 2026. |
| Texas | State Fire Marshal inspection standards: NFPA 101 (2021) and NFPA 1 (2021) | Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office | Effective September 1, 2023 for State Fire Marshal inspections. This is not a claim that one code controls every local Texas project; verify the local AHJ’s adopted code. |
| Virginia | 2021 Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code, based on the 2021 IFC | Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development | Effective January 18, 2024. The SFPC focuses on maintenance and operations; construction provisions are coordinated through Virginia’s building code. |
| Washington | 2021 Washington State Fire Code, based on the 2021 IFC | Washington State Building Code Council | Effective March 15, 2024 with Washington amendments. Emergency and permanent rule changes can alter individual sections. |
Standing disclaimer: adoption cycles change, local amendments can add requirements, and a state code page does not decide a specific project. The AHJ’s current requirement governs. This index is for orientation and source discovery, not compliance advice.
States pending verification
Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
04 · Practical project workflow
How to find out what YOUR project requires
Use this sequence before ordering. It creates a written chain from the project condition to the exact product documentation and reduces the risk of an unsupported substitution.
Identify the occupancy and venue
Record the address, use, occupancy or venue type, temporary or permanent status, installation location, dimensions, and whether the greenery is hanging, freestanding, or attached as a wall or ceiling finish.
Identify the AHJ
Ask the venue who reviews fire and life-safety submittals. That may be a local fire marshal, building official, state agency, landlord, insurer, or another designated reviewer.
Ask in writing
Request the exact standard, edition, test method, report-age limit, laboratory requirement, labeling requirement, and whether the reviewer expects component-level or configuration-level documentation.
Request exact documents
Use the fire documentation pack route and identify the exact foliage, backing, frame, mounting hardware, dimensions, and intended installation. Documentation is available for applicable product configurations.
Submit without substitution
Send the report, product identification, specifications, and installation description before final purchase. If any product, support, adhesive, finish, or mounting detail changes, return the change to the reviewer.
05 · Direct answers
What fire rating do artificial hedges need?
Artificial hedges do not have one universal fire rating. The required evidence depends on occupancy, installation, material use, and the authority having jurisdiction. An AHJ may request NFPA 701, ASTM E84, California Title 19 documentation, or another basis. Submit documentation for the exact proposed product and configuration before ordering.
A hedge used as a freestanding divider may be reviewed differently from foliage attached across a wall, suspended overhead, installed at an event, or placed in a regulated occupancy. The same visual product can also change scope when its backing, frame, mounting, or field treatment changes. Review artificial hedge options only after the required documentation path is clear.
Is NFPA 701 required for artificial plants?
NFPA 701 is not automatically required for every artificial plant. Requirements depend on where and how the greenery is used, the adopted code, venue rules, and the AHJ’s interpretation. Ask the AHJ which test standard applies, then submit documentation that identifies the exact product or applicable configuration under the specified test conditions.
Codes and venue rules can regulate combustible artificial decorative vegetation, but the applicable route is project-specific. A reviewer may distinguish between NFPA 701 Method 1 and Method 2, request a surface-burning test for an interior-finish application, or apply California Title 19 procedures. See the broader fire-safety resource before requesting documents.
06 · Product and documentation paths
Keep education, product selection, and submittal documents connected.
The goal is traceability: the product under review should be the product ordered, and the installation described should be the installation proposed.