Warehouse vs. Storage

[Phil B]

Is there a clear cut definition anywhere where you can tell for certain if you have a Warehouse occupancy at 1 person per 500 sf, or a Storage facility at 1 per 300 sf per Chapter 10?

 

[mtlogcabin]

IMHO
A storage facility is a warehouse. 1-500 OL. Mini self storage units would be included
Storage as an accessory function of a mercantile or other occupancy is 1-300 OL.

 

[e hilton]

IMHO
A storage facility is a warehouse.

imho ... a warehouse has frequent operations going on. Stocking and pulling product. A storage building is not usually occupied. Longer term storage.

 

[ElieenK]

Is there a clear cut definition anywhere where you can tell for certain if you have a Warehouse occupancy at 1 person per 500 sf, or a Storage facility at 1 per 300 sf per Chapter 10?

A warehouse by definition is concerned with storing goods for later sale, not for residence. A lot of people call a storage facility a warehouse, and a warehouse a storage facility. In most communities, however, these terms have specific meanings. A warehouse is a building that is used to store large quantities of goods, primarily for later sale. It may be a freestanding building, one that is in a storage company complex, or one that is part of an industrial complex. Storage is sometimes called warehousing, and sometimes the two terms are used interchangeably. However, there are some differences between the two. Warehouse service is the storage of goods. In a warehouse, goods are stored with the goal of getting the goods to market faster. Storage is simply keeping goods in a safe place so they don't deteriorate or become damaged. Warehouses are designed for efficiency in loading and unloading merchandise; storage facilities are designed for space utilization, security and protection.

 

[Msradell]

A warehouse by definition is concerned with storing goods for later sale, not for residence. A lot of people call a storage facility a warehouse, and a warehouse a storage facility. In most communities, however, these terms have specific meanings. A warehouse is a building that is used to store large quantities of goods, primarily for later sale. It may be a freestanding building, one that is in a storage company complex, or one that is part of an industrial complex. Storage is sometimes called warehousing, and sometimes the two terms are used interchangeably. However, there are some differences between the two. Warehouse service is the storage of goods. In a warehouse, goods are stored with the goal of getting the goods to market faster. Storage is simply keeping goods in a safe place so they don't deteriorate or become damaged. Warehouses are designed for efficiency in loading and unloading merchandise; storage facilities are designed for space utilization, security and protection.

That's probably the most convoluted paragraph I've ever read! My understanding of it which is what my opinion is to start with is that there isn't really much of a difference between the 2 since they both store products. As far as code goes they have the same requirements in every category including fire protection.

 

[Genduct]

That's probably the most convoluted paragraph I've ever read! My understanding of it which is what my opinion is to start with is that there isn't really much of a difference between the 2 since they both store products. As far as code goes they have the same requirements in every category including fire protection.

I think Eileen K was trying to help and she, like me believes what Confucius said: First step in Wisdom is to call things by Same Name" is true.
You are right that S is S but don't we have some of the same confusion when we take a multi-unit and the ownership is condo vs apartment?
I think she was being helpful by trying to "Parse" the terms
We also need to understand if the "Storage is Accessory or Incidental to the main use as well.

Boy talk about getting in the weeds

 

[brokenkeys]

I had a reviewer tell me once to change a 'warehouse' space (roughly 1,000 SF room with racks for storage of misc. parts/ pieces, in a larger educational facility, that would rarely be occupied) to storage. I didn't argue it, since it was no big deal. But what if it was a 1M SF warehouse? That would impact the occupant load, restroom count, etc.

Since Ch 10 doesn't define "warehouse", leaving it up to interpretation, I defer to another Confucius quote: "if the path is unclear, ask the AHJ"

 

[Sifu]

Considering this issue right now. An applicant uses the term "warehouse" in conjunction with and in context of the classification and occupant load, which he calls S-1 repair garage with an occupant ratio of 500 gross. I don't see this as a warehouse at 500, I see it as an industrial area at 100, I don't see it as accessory to the main occupancy, because the main occupancy is the repair garage (whatever it is classified as). Both may be extreme, and in my case there is no effect on MOE or fixtures, so somewhere in the middle may be appropriate. This one is making my head hurt.

 

[steveray]

1004.1.2 Areas without fixed seating. The number of
occupants shall be computed at the rate of one occupant
per unit of area as prescribed in Table 1004.1.2. For areas
without fixed seating, the occupant load shall be not less
than that number determined by dividing the floor area
under consideration by the occupant load factor assigned
to the function of the space as set forth in Table 1004.1.2.
Where an intended function is not listed in Table 1004.1.2,
the building official shall establish a function based on a
listed function that most nearly resembles the intended
function.

 

[Paul Sweet]

If the storage/warehouse space is used to store parts needed when repairing vehicles then 1 person per 500 SF might be reasonable, since mechanics will spend most of their time working on the vehicles, and only go into the storage/warehouse space to retrieve parts. 1 or 2 mechanics per vehicle would be reasonable for the space used for repairs.