Deck the halls? Read this before you hang that tinsel!

In certain buildings, such as some Class 1b, Class 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9 buildings, people use Christmas decorations such as tinsel, lights and other decorations to bring joy and focus on the Christmas period. Christmas is a time to celebrate and bring cheer.

The history of Christmas decorations goes back to the legend of Saint Nicholas (a Christian Bishop), circa 300 AD, in Türkiye. Much later the modern Christmas tree tradition can be traced back to Germany in the 16th century. In the 1840’s the tradition was introduced into England from German born, Prince Albert. From there the tradition spread throughout the rest of the predominantly Christian world.

Christmas decorations now come in many forms such as individual components, lights and tinsel. Originally hammered from real silver to catch and amplify the glow of candlelight, tinsel has evolved into a modern symbol of the festive season; it is now made of safe, metallic-coated plastic.

These buildings may also be fitted with an automatic fire sprinkler system, which appears to be a perfect accessory to hang decorations.

The challenge is that the glass bulb of an automatic sprinkler head is a sensitive component of the sprinkler head assembly and can be easily damaged. If this bulb is fractured, the results are immediate and catastrophic.

The sprinkler system will activate, discharging highly pressurised water into the room. This can cause tens of thousands of dollars in water damage to carpets, electrical equipment, belongings and stock in a matter of minutes, not to mention the automatic calling of the Fire Brigade.

However, the risk is not limited to accidental water damage. There is a silent danger in wrapping tinsel or lights around a sprinkler head, thermal delay.

Sprinklers operate by heat, not smoke. The liquid inside the glass bulb expands when it reaches a specific temperature (usually around 68°C for standard heads), shattering the glass and releasing the water.

If a sprinkler is draped in tinsel or obscured by a hanging ornament, that decoration acts as an insulator. In the event of a real fire, the heat may not reach the bulb fast enough to trigger the system before the fire spreads out of control. Furthermore, even if the sprinkler does activate, the decorations can physically block the spray pattern, preventing the water from reaching the fire source.

Keep the Season Safe For building owners and tenants in Class 2–9 buildings, it is a critical requirement to keep the "spray cone" of all sprinkler heads clear of obstructions.

• Do not hang anything from sprinkler pipes or heads.
• Do not tape or tie decorations to the cover plates.
• Ensure tall trees are positioned so they do not obstruct the ceiling sprinklers.

Christmas is a time for celebration, and the history of our decorations is rich with tradition. By keeping those traditions away from fire sprinkler heads, we can ensure that the only things glowing this season are the lights on the tree.

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