New Fire Code in Mass. Targets Classroom Displays

By Darcia Harris Bowman

Massachusetts schools will reopen in the fall under a new state fire code aimed at curbing the amount of flammable artwork and decorations hanging in classrooms and hallways.

The rules, approved in mid-June by the state Board of Fire Prevention Regulations, follow a recent and sharp increase in school fires across the state.

The new rules replace older regulations that state fire-prevention officials said were largely ignored by schools. State officials say they plan to impose tougher enforcement measures...