In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about wood chair rails in a dining room.
Q: We recently had our annual state survey and the Life Safety surveyor tagged us on some wood chair rails that had been installed in a small dining room. Isn’t there an exception for wood chair rails?
A: Yes, there is, assuming the wood chair rails do not exceed 10 percent of the total wall and ceiling area. However, I believe the issue that the surveyor is citing falls under section 19.3.3.2 of the 2000 Life Safety Code (LSC). This section does permit Class A and Class B interior wall and ceiling finish in existing rooms.