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Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (Last Updated: June 14,2023) |
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Title19 Public Health and Safety |
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SubTitle19-394a-1_19-394a-10. The Use of Christmas Trees and Decorative Material in all Premises Under The Regulatory Authority of The Labor Commissioner |
SubTitle19-394a-1_19-394a-10. The Use of Christmas Trees and Decorative Material in all Premises Under The Regulatory Authority of The Labor Commissioner
| Sec. 19-394a-1. Christmas trees and decorations |
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(a) A natural Christmas tree, without electrical decorations, may be used if freshly cut within ten days prior to the first day of its use indoors and if it has a high moisture content. In no case, however, shall a tree be installed indoors before December first. The tree shall be held secure in an upright position in a stand or other container having a broad base and a water capacity adequate to replenish daily any lost moisture content. (b) All trees, including artificial ones, unless listed as flame-proof or fire resistant by Underwriters Laboratories, shall be illuminated only by indirect lighting. Where * * * lighting is used, an electrical equipment shall meet the standards of a nationally recognized testing laboratory and shall be installed in accordance with the National Electrical Code. Indirect lighting shall also apply to decorative metal Christmas trees because of the casualty hazard from possible electrical shock. (c) No tree or other decorative material, such as wreaths or sprays, unless listed as flame-proof or fire resistant by Underwriters Laboratories, shall be in direct contact with electrical wiring or electrical equipment, or near an open flame or other sources of heat. (d) No tree shall be trimmed with any decoration or material that is flammable or combustible. (e) No tree shall be so located that it will block or obstruct any exit or passageway. (f) Trees and decorative material shall be removed no later than the following January second. (g) Good general housekeeping practices shall be maintained at all times by guarding against smoking hazards and making provision for metal-covered containers for flammable waste material disposal that may accumulate during holiday socials. (h) This section shall not be construed as allowing the installation of a Christmas tree of any kind in a municipality in which the same is prohibited by ordinance or bylaw. |
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(Effective October 21, 1969) |
| Sec. 19-394a-2. Purpose |
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The purpose of fire exit drills is to ensure the efficient and safe use of the exit facilities available. Drills shall provide orderly exiting, under control, to prevent panic which has been responsible for much of the loss of life in major fire disasters. Order and control are the primary purposes of the drill. Speed in emptying buildings or clearing areas, while desirable, is not in itself the primary objective and should be made secondary to the maintenance of proper order and discipline. |
| Sec. 19-394a-3. Frequency of drills. Familiarity with premises |
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Fire exit drills shall be held to familiarize all occupants with the drill procedure and to have the conduct of the drill a matter of established routine. Drills shall be conducted by each employer covering all work shifts in all buildings, twice a year, except for single story buildings where one drill per year shall be required. Essential personnel working on such industrial processes which are verified to be continuous or of a hazardous nature, or which may not be safely left unattended, shall be exempt. In order that such employees on these operations may also become familiar with alternate means of egress, provision shall be made, at some time on the day of the drill, for such employees to leave their work areas by exits other than those normally used. (See 1961 Supp. § 19-387a.) |
| Sec. 19-394a-4. Preparation for drills |
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Fire exit drills shall be planned and conducted in such a manner that all occupants will know all available means of exit, particularly emergency exits which are not commonly used. Each employer shall provide and maintain in good working order an audible and distinctive alarm system. (See 1961 Supp. § 19-387a.) |
| Sec. 19-394a-5. Organization |
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Each employer shall be responsible for a fire exit drill organization within his respective firm. A successful organization, in order to be effective, shall have the full cooperation of both employees and management. The employer shall notify the local fire department prior to a fire exit drill. He shall also have prearranged plans made for prompt notification to the fire department in case of an actual fire. This shall include use of guides for direction of the fire department to the fire area. Key positions shall be delegated to responsible individuals who are capable of effectively assuming the required duties of leadership in accordance with the provisions of section 19-394a of the 1961 supplement to the general statutes. |
| Sec. 19-394a-6. Appointment of fire monitors |
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Each employer shall, for the purpose of conducting fire exit drills, designate persons to be known as fire monitors, the number to be determined in proportion to the number of persons employed and the structural layout of his premises, which will assure the safe and orderly evacuation of employees from all areas. |
| Sec. 19-394a-7. Employees needing special assistance |
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Provision shall be made for employees needing special assistance. |
| Sec. 19-394a-8. Obligation of employees |
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Each employee in the establishment shall cooperate fully and promptly in any fire exit drill. |
| Sec. 19-394a-9. Occupancy by two or more employers |
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Where two or more employers jointly occupy a building, they shall confer and establish a coordinated plan for fire exit drills, such plan to be approved by the labor commissioner. |
| Sec. 19-394a-10. Fire exit drill plan and records |
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Each employer shall maintain a fire exit plan which shall be posted in a conspicuous place. It shall be made available, upon request, to a representative of the labor department. Each employer shall maintain a record of all fire exit drills. |