A photographic element is provided on one or both surfaces thereof with a fire-retardant protective overcoat comprising (1) a water-soluble film-forming copolymer of methyl inyl ether and maleic anhydride cross-linked by a water-soluble polyhydric alcohol and (2) a water-soluble ammonium polyphosphate which reacts with the polyhydric alcohol to form a fire-retardant composition when the protective overcoat is exposed to the heat of a fire. The protective overcoat is transparent, colorless, durable, non-tacky and moisutre resistant and provides especially effective fire-retarding properties for photographic products used in large display format such as back-drops on movie sets or free-hanging murals at trade shows.