Occupancy type for coffee bean storage

[timitect]

I'm designing a tenant improvement with offices (B occupancy) in front and warehouse behind. Space is fire sprinklered. I typically like to call storage S-1 occupancy since B/S-1 doesn't require area separation (rated walls). The storage area for this project is going to contain coffee beans in lots of cardboard boxes. Can I call this S-1 occupancy? Always kinda funny to me that the code calls S-1 moderate hazard and S-2 low hazard but S-1 is easier to do, at least in my understanding. Thanks in advance...

 

[mtlogcabin]

It is an S-1 the dry coffee beans are flammable

 

[timitect]

It is an S-1 the dry coffee beans are flammable

Oh really. Food is typically S-2 but I was thinking the cardboard boxes might make it S-1 but the fact that coffee beans are flammable would definitely make it S-1 I suppose.

 

[cda]

S-1. Cardboard boxes


Plus more than likely other stuff stored there

How high will they be stored ??

 

[SCBO1]

Old used coffee grounds have been turned into fuel logs.

 

[timitect]

Hmm, wondering if we’ll have to provide additional info because it’s coffee...

 

[mtlogcabin]

You shouldn't as long as you are not processing or repackaging. If you are it may be an F-1

 

[RLGA]

Group S-2 includes food products in cardboard boxes (“paper cartons” per the IBC). However, I don’t see why you couldn’t classify it as Group S-1. As long as you comply with all other requirements for Group S-1. The concern is to protect a low fire-load area from a higher fire-load area, and since a Group S-2 is considered a low fire-load area, it needs the separation per IBC Table 508.4 if the separated occupancies method is used. If the building is within the allowable area for a sprinklered Group B or Group S-1 (they are the same regardless of construction type, so one is not more restrictive than the other), then there is no requirement to separate the two occupancies.

 

[timitect]

I’m going to probably add a few notes pertaining to S-1 Storage relating to IBC requirements and local or general fire department requirements. Don’t like to quote building codes verbatim but want to address possible questions before they arise. Anybody have any experience or advice on what to say or what not to say?

 

[cda]

If talking to me I would want a list of everything that will be stored.

How it will be stored

How high it will be stored

What it will be stored on floor, racks, pallets, etc

If any potential chemicals msds

Maybe sprinkler protection density, if in a sprinkler building and you have it.

Be able to speak on how your set up matches ones in IBC S-1.

 

[ADAguy]

Are beans already ground or are they ground daily on site?

 

[timitect]

Already ground coffee...

 

[ADAguy]

Is this to be similar to a Starbucks?

 

[timitect]

Is this to be similar to a Starbucks?

No it's a small company that sells ground and whole bean coffee. They grow the coffee far away and will use this location as offices and storage 3000 miles from where the coffee is grown and packaged.

 

[ADAguy]

Will there be any retail sales or only wholesale?

 

[timitect]

Will there be any retail sales or only wholesale?

Neither, just company office with product storage.