Storage room wall markings..no materials stored above this height?

[Tim Mailloux]

One of the principals at the firm I work for has asked me to track down a code reference related to storage rooms which I cannot find, but he is certain exists. According to him either the IBC, IFC or NFPA has a requirement that with in storage rooms there needs to be markings on all walls 18" below the ceiling plane and that no materials can be stored above the height of this line. The intention is to provide enough open area above the stored materials to allow sprinklers to properly function.

Anyone here have any idea what code this may be in?

 

[cda]

The “”” No Code Book “””

Not there

 

[cda]

In fact you can stack to the ceiling, if against the wall

 

[YongMNLad]

IFC 315.3.1 requires the 18" from ceiling. Not sure I've seen the marking requirement.

 

[Tim Mailloux]

thank you!

 

[tmurray]

It's in NFPA 13 for sprinkler spray pattern development. Nothing for marking in there though. Maybe just a best practice?

 

[mtlogcabin]

Never saw "best practice" written in the code anywhere. That is a slippery road to start down because after a few years "best practice" becomes a code requirement to your staff and you will loose if challenged and the professionalism and expertise that has been developed over many years goes down the toilet.

 

[steveray]

I could see if an FM had written a bunch of violations to "require" the marking, but other than that...No, kind of like striping the floor at electrical panels for working clearance and no storage, not required, but commonly asked for and done...

 

[mark handler]

It could be an option if someone wants to permit racking without complying with all the high pile storage requirements.

 

[SCBO1]

There's some signage or stenciling required for different types of fire wall protection, like a "2-Hour wall", not aware of the 18" wall storage marking.

Could be a required business practice from corporate or insurance requirement? or a FD enforcing a new rule. Depending on the ceiling design and sprinkler type set-up the head(s) may not provide spray above the 18-inch line anyway.

Are we protecting the stock or protecting the human egress out of the space?

 

[ADAguy]

Lets see, isn't CT where fire insurance underwriting started? How old is your principal? could it be he remembers some very early codes (smiling).
So many requirements, so little time but we have the experts who "may" know.
Maybe OSHA?

 

[cda]

Fire Inspector got tired of writing it up on the annual inspection.

So made up a requirement

There shall be a mark at 18 inches

 

[SCBO1]

2012 IFC, section 315.3.1 ceiling clearance, but no sign requirement in section 315.

 

[mark handler]

Fire code 3205.6
Designation of storage heights. Where required by the fire code official, a visual method of indicating the maximum allowable storage height shall be provided.

Read the code before you assume they make this up

 

[tmurray]

Fire Inspector got tired of writing it up on the annual inspection.

So made up a requirement

There shall be a mark at 18 inches

I heard a story of a company that got tired of being cited for that, so they painted a line that said no storage above.

 

[mtlogcabin]

Under NFPA 13 storage along the wall in most cases can go all the way up to the ceiling in a sprinkled building so why are you requiring the wall to be marked and not allowing them to use all of their storage as designed?

See 2016 NFPA 13 section 8.6.5

I believe the exceptions are new in the 2018 IFC I do not have a 2015 version
IFC 2018 315.3.1
Exceptions: 1 and 2 do not require a ceiling clearance for storage along walls

Section 32 is for marking limits of High Piled Storage not for regular storage. We have done this in paint stores auto parts stores and other similar occupancies

 

[cda]

Under NFPA 13 storage along the wall in most cases can go all the way up to the ceiling in a sprinkled building so why are you requiring the wall to be marked and not allowing them to use all of their storage as designed?

See 2016 NFPA 13 section 8.6.5

I believe the exceptions are new in the 2018 IFC I do not have a 2015 version
IFC 2018 315.3.1
Exceptions: 1 and 2 do not require a ceiling clearance for storage along walls

Section 32 is for marking limits of High Piled Storage not for regular storage. We have done this in paint stores auto parts stores and other similar occupancies

Thanks

I looked in 13 quickly and could not find it

 

[cda]