Ifc 315.2.1

[retire09]

Would it make sense to allow storage that is tight against the walls to be stacked from floor to ceiling and maintain the clearance everywhere else in the room?

 

[cda]

Yes and is accepted and might be in 2010 or 2013 edition of 13

Considered part of wall

 

[cda]

I am locked out of nfpa for a few minutes so I cannot check 2010 and 2013, but from 1999 appendix

The NFPA reference isn’t in the Life Safety Code, though — it’s in NFPA 13, Installation of Sprinkler Systems. I’ll use the 1999 edition of NFPA 13 because it’s what The Joint Commission currently recognizes.

Under that edition, look at annex note A-5-6.6:

The 18-inch dimension is not intended to limit the height of shelving on a wall or shelving against a wall in accordance with 5-6.6. Where shelving is installed on a wall and is not directly below sprinklers, the shelves, including storage thereon, can extend above the level of a plane located 18 inches below ceiling sprinkler deflectors. Shelving, and any storage thereon, directly below the sprinklers cannot extend above a plane located 18 inches below the ceiling sprinkler deflectors.

 

[JBI]

Agree. The 18" is to allow the deflector to establish a spray pattern.

 

[retire09]

Would the same apply to a nonsprinklered room?

 

[cda]

Would the same apply to a nonsprinklered room?

yep

the idea on a non sprinkled storage, is for the firefighters to be able to shoot water over the top.