5704.3.6.3 Fire Protection and Storage Arrangements

Fire protection and container storage arrangements shall be in accordance with Table 5704.3.6.3(1) or the following:

1. Storage on shelves shall not exceed 6 feet (1829 mm) in height, and shelving shall be metal.
2. Storage on pallets or in piles greater than 4 feet 6 inches (1372 mm) in height, or where the ceiling exceeds 18 feet (5486 mm) in height, shall be protected in accordance with Table 5704.3.6.3(4), and the storage heights and arrangements shall be limited to those specified in Table 5704.3.6.3(2).
3. Storage on racks greater than 4 feet 6 inches (1372 mm) in height, or where the ceiling exceeds 18 feet (5486 mm) in height shall be protected in accordance with Tables 5704.3.6.3(5), 5704.3.6.3(6), and 5704.3.6.3(7) as appropriate, and the storage heights and arrangements shall be limited to those specified in Table 5704.3.6.3(3).

Combustible commodities shall not be stored above flammable and combustible liquids.

TABLE 5704.3.6.3(1)
MAXIMUM STORAGE HEIGHT IN CONTROL AREA

TYPE OF LIQUID	NON-SPRINKLERED AREA (feet)	SPRINKLERED AREAa (feet)	SPRINKLERED WITH IN-RACK PROTECTIONa, b (feet)
Flammable liquids:
Class IA	4	4	4
Class IB	4	8	12
Class IC	4	8	12
Combustible liquids:
Class II	6	8	12
Class IIIA	8	12	16
Class IIIB	8	12	20

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.

1. In buildings protected by an automatic sprinkler system, the storage height for containers and portable tanks shall not exceed the maximum storage height permitted for the fire protection scheme set forth in NFPA 30 or the maximum storage height demonstrated in a full-scale fire test, whichever is greater. NFPA 30 criteria and fire test results for metallic containers and portable tanks shall not be applied to nonmetallic containers and portable tanks.
2. In-rack protection shall be in accordance with Table 5704.3.6.3(5), 5704.3.6.3(6) or 5704.3.6.3(7).

TABLE 5704.3.6.3(2)
STORAGE ARRANGEMENTS FOR PALLETIZED OR SOLID-PILE STORAGE IN LIQUID STORAGE ROOMS AND WAREHOUSES

CLASS	STORAGE LEVEL	MAXIMUM STORAGE HEIGHT			MAXIMUM QUANTITY PER PILE (gallons)		MAXIMUM QUANTITY PER ROOMa (gallons)
		Drums	Containersb (feet)	Portable tanksb (feet)	Containers	Portable tanks	Containers	Portable tanks
IA	Ground floor	1	5	Not Allowed	3,000	Not Allowed	12,000	Not Allowed
	Upper floors	1	5	Not Allowed	2,000	Not Allowed	8,000	Not Allowed
	Basements	0	Not Allowed	Not Allowed	Not Allowed	Not Allowed	Not Allowed	Not Allowed
IB	Ground floor	1	6.5	7	5,000	20,000	15,000	40,000
	Upper floors	1	6.5	7	3,000	10,000	12,000	20,000
	Basements	0	Not Allowed	Not Allowed	Not Allowed	Not Allowed	Not Allowed	Not Allowed
IC	Ground floord	1	6.5c	7	5,000	20,000	15,000	40,000
	Upper floors	1	6.5c	7	3,000	10,000	12,000	20,000
	Basements	0	Not Allowed	Not Allowed	Not Allowed	Not Allowed	Not Allowed	Not Allowed
II	Ground floord	3	10	14	10,000	40,000	25,000	80,000
	Upper floors	3	10	14	10,000	40,000	25,000	80,000
	Basements	1	5	7	7,500	20,000	7,500	20,000
III	Ground floor	5	20	14	15,000	60,000	50,000	100,000
	Upper floors	5	20	14	15,000	60,000	50,000	100,000
	Basements	3	10	7	10,000	20,000	25,000	40,000

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 gallon = 3.785 L.

1. See Section 5704.3.8.1 for unlimited quantities in liquid storage warehouses.
2. In buildings protected by an automatic sprinkler system, the storage height for containers and portable tanks shall not exceed the maximum storage height permitted for the fire protection scheme set forth in NFPA 30 or the maximum storage height demonstrated in a full-scale fire test, whichever is greater. NFPA 30 criteria and fire test results for metallic containers and portable tanks shall not be applied to nonmetallic containers and portable tanks.
3. These height limitations are allowed to be increased to 10 feet for containers having a capacity of 5 gallons or less.
4. For palletized storage of unsaturated polyester resins (UPR) in relieving-style metal containers with 50 percent or less by weight Class IC or II liquid and no Class IA or IB liquid, height and pile quantity limits shall be permitted to be 10 feet and 15,000 gallons, respectively, provided that such storage is protected by sprinklers in accordance with NFPA 30 and that the UPR storage area is not located in the same containment area or drainage path for other Class I or II liquids.

TABLE 5704.3.6.3(3)
STORAGE ARRANGEMENTS FOR RACK STORAGE IN LIQUID STORAGE ROOMS AND WAREHOUSES

CLASS	TYPE RACK	STORAGE LEVEL	MAXIMUM STORAGE HEIGHTb (feet)	MAXIMUM QUANTITY PER ROOMa (gallons)
			Containers	Containers
IA	Double row or Single row	Ground floor	25	7,500
		Upper floors	15	4,500
		Basements	Not Allowed	Not Allowed
	Double row or Single row	Ground floor	25	15,000
IB IC		Upper floors	15	9,000
		Basements	Not Allowed	Not Allowed
II	Double row or Single row	Ground floor	25	24,000
		Upper floors	25	24,000
		Basements	15	9,000
III	Multirow	Ground floor	40	48,000
	Double row	Upper floors	20	48,000
	Single row	Basements	20	24,000

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 gallon = 3.785 L.

TABLE 5704.3.6.3(4)
AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER PROTECTION FOR SOLID-PILE AND PALLETIZED STORAGE OF LIQUIDS IN METAL CONTAINERS AND PORTABLE TANKS^a

STORAGE CONDITIONS		CEILING SPRINKLER DESIGN AND DEMAND				MINIMUM HOSE STREAM DEMAND (gpm)	MINIMUM DURATION SPRINKLERS AND HOSE STREAMS (hours)
Class liquid	Container size and arrangement	Density (gpm/ft2)	Area (square feet)		Maximum spacing (square feet)
			High temperature sprinklers	Ordinary temperature sprinklers
IA	5 gallons or less, with or without cartons, palletized or solid pileb	0.30	3,000	5,000	100	750	2
	Containers greater than 5 gallons, on end or side, palletized or solid pile	0.60	5,000	8,000	80	750
IB, IC and II	5 gallons or less, with or without cartons, palletized or solid pileb	0.30	3,000	5,000	100	500	2
	Containers greater than 5 gallons on pallets or solid pile, one high	0.25	5,000	8,000	100
II	Containers greater than 5 gallons on pallets or solid pile, more than one high, on end or side	0.60	5,000	8,000	80	750	2
IB, IC and II	Portable tanks, one high	0.30	3,000	5,000	100	500	2
II	Portable tanks, two high	0.60	5,000	8,000	80	750	2
III	5 gallons or less, with or without cartons, palletized or solid pile	0.25	3,000	5,000	120	500	1
	Containers greater than 5 gallons on pallets or solid pile, on end or sides, up to three high	0.25	3,000	5,000	120	500	1
	Containers greater than 5 gallons, on pallets or solid pile, on end or sides, up to 18 feet high	0.35	3,000	5,000	100	750	2
	Portable tanks, one high	0.25	3,000	5,000	120	500	1
	Portable tanks, two high	0.50	3,000	5,000	80	750	2

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 gallon = 3.785 L, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m², 1 gallon per minute = 3.785 L/m, 1 gallon per minute per square foot = 40.75 L/min/m².

TABLE 5704.3.6.3(5)
AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS FOR RACK STORAGE OF LIQUIDS IN METAL CONTAINERS OF 5-GALLON CAPACITY OR LESS WITH OR WITHOUT CARTONS ON CONVENTIONAL WOOD PALLETS^a

CLASS LIQUID	CEILING SPRINKLER DESIGN AND DEMAND			IN-RACK SPRINKLER ARRANGEMENT AND DEMAND					MINIMUM HOSE STREAM DEMAND (gpm)	MINIMUM DURATION SPRINKLER AND HOSE STREAM (hours)
	Density (gpm/ft2)	Area (square feet)		Maximum spacing	Racks up to 9 feet deep	Racks more than 9 feet to 12 feet deep	30 psi (standard orifice)	Number of sprinklers operating
		High- temperature sprinklers	Ordinary temperature sprinklers				14 psi (large orifice)
I (maximum 25-foot height) Option 1	0.40	3,000	5,000	80 ft2/head	1. Ordinary temperature, quick-response sprinklers, maximum 8 feet 3 inches horizontal spacing 2. One line sprinklers above each level of storage 3. Locate in longitudinal flue space, staggered vertical 4. Shields required where multilevel	1. Ordinary temperature, quick-response sprinklers, maximum 8 feet 3 inches horizontal spacing 2. One line sprinklers above each level of storage 3. Locate in transverse flue spaces, staggered vertical and within 20 inches of aisle 4. Shields required where multilevel	30 psi (0.5- inch orifice)	1. Eight sprinklers if only one level 2. Six sprinklers each on two levels if only two levels 3. Six sprinklers each on top three levels, if three or more levels 4. Hydraulically most remote	750	2
I (maximum 25-foot height) Option 2	0.55	2,000b	Not Applicable	100 ft2/ head	1. Ordinary temperature, quick-response sprinklers, maximum 8 feet 3 inches horizontal spacing 2. See 2 above 3. See 3 above 4. See 4 above	1. Ordinary temperature, quick-response sprinklers, maximum 8 feet 3 inches horizontal spacing 2. See 2 above 3. See 3 above 4. See 4 above	14 psi (0.53-inch orifice)	See 1 through 4 above	500	2
I and II (maximum 14-foot storage height) (maximum three tiers)	0.55c	2,000d	Not Applicable	100 ft2/ head	Not Applicable None for maximum 6-foot-deep racks	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	500	2
II (maximum 25-foot height)	0.30	3,000	5,000	100 ft2/ head	1. Ordinary temperature sprinklers 8 feet apart horizontally 2. One line sprinklers between levels at nearest 10-foot vertical intervals 3. Locate in longitudinal flue space, staggered vertical 4. Shields required where multilevel	1. Ordinary temperature sprinklers 8 feet apart horizontally 2. Two lines between levels at nearest 10-foot vertical intervals 3. Locate in transverse flue spaces, staggered vertical and within 20 inches of aisle 4. Shields required where multilevel	30 psi	Hydraulically most remote—six sprinklers at each level, up to a maximum of three levels	750	2
III (40-foot height)	0.25	3,000	5,000	120 ft2/ head	Same as for Class II liquids	Same as for Class II liquids	30 psi	Same as for Class II liquids	500	2

For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m², 1 pound per square inch = 6.895 kPa, 1 gallon = 3.785 L, 1 gallon per minute = 3.785 L/m, 1 gallon per minute per square foot = 40.75 L/min/m².

TABLE 5704.3.6.3(6)
AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS OR RACK STORAGE OF LIQUIDS IN METAL CONTAINERS GREATER THAN 5-GALLON CAPACITY^a

CLASS LIQUID	CEILING SPRINKLER DESIGN AND DEMAND			IN-RACK SPRINKLER ARRANGEMENT AND DEMAND					MINIMUM HOSE STREAM DEMAND (gpm)	MINIMUM DURATION SPRINKLER AND HOSE STREAM (hours)
	Density (gpm/ ft2)	Area (square feet)		Maximum spacing	On-side storage racks up to 9-foot-deep racks	On-end storage (on pallets) up to 9-foot-deep racks	Minimum nozzle pressure	Number of sprinklers operating
		High-temperature sprinklers	Ordinary temperature sprinklers
IA (maximum 25-foot height)	0.60	3,000	5,000	80 ft2/head	1. Ordinary temperature sprinklers 8 feet apart horizontally 2. One line sprinklers above each tier of storage 3. Locate in longitudinal flue space, staggered vertical 4. Shields required where multilevel	1. Ordinary temperature sprinklers 8 feet apart horizontally 2. One line sprinklers above each tier of storage 3. Locate in longitudinal flue space, staggered vertical 4. Shields required where multilevel	30 psi	Hydraulically most remote—six sprinklers at each level	1,000	2
IB, IC and II (maximum 25-foot height)	0.60	3,000	5,000	100 ft2/head	1. See 1 above 2. One line sprinklers every three tiers of storage 3. See 3 above 4. See 4 above	1. See 1 above 2. See 2 above 3. See 3 above 4. See 4 above	30 psi	Hydraulically most remote—six sprinklers at each level	750	2
III (maximum 40-foot height)	0.25	3,000	5,000	120 ft2/head	1. See 1 above 2. One line sprinklers every sixth level (maximum) 3. See 3 above 4. See 4 above	1. See 1 above 2. One line sprinklers every third level (maximum) 3. See 3 above 4. See 4 above	15 psi	Hydraulically most remote—six sprinklers at each level	500	1

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m², 1 pound per square inch = 6.895 kPa, 1 gallon = 3.785 L, 1 gallon per minute = 3.785 L/m, 1 gallon per minute per square foot = 40.75 L/min/m².

TABLE 5704.3.6.3(7)
AUTOMATIC AFFF WATER PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS FOR RACK STORAGE OF LIQUIDS IN METAL CONTAINERS GREATER THAN 5-GALLON CAPACITY^a,b

CLASS LIQUID	CEILING SPRINKLER DESIGN AND DEMAND			IN-RACK SPRINKLER ARRANGEMENT AND DEMANDc				DURATION AFFF SUPPLY (minimum)	DURATION WATER SUPPLY (hours)
	Density (gpm/ft2)	Area (square feet)		On-end storage of drums on pallets, up to 25 feet	Minimum nozzle pressure (psi)	Number of sprinklers operating	Hose stream demandd (gpm)
		High- temperature sprinklers	Ordinary temperature sprinklers
IA, IB, IC and II	0.30	1,500	2,500	1. Ordinary temperature sprinkler up to 10 feet apart horizontally 2. One line sprinklers above each level of storage 3. Locate in longitudinal flue space, staggered vertically 4. Shields required for multilevel	30	Three sprinklers per level	500	15	2

For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m², 1 pound per square inch = 6.895 kPa, 1 gallon = 3.785 L, 1 gallon per minute = 3.785 L/m, 1 gallon per minute per square foot = 40.75 L/min/m².

TABLE 5704.3.6.3(8)
AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS FOR CLASS I LIQUID STORAGE IN METAL CONTAINERS OF 1-GALLON CAPACITY OR LESS WITH UNCARTONED OR CASE-CUT SHELF DISPLAY UP TO 6.5 FEET, AND PALLETIZED STORAGE ABOVE IN A DOUBLE-ROW RACK ARRAY^a

STORAGE HEIGHT	CEILING SPRINKLER DESIGN AND DEMAND				IN-RACK SPRINKLER ARRANGEMENT AND DEMAND				MINIMUM HOSE STREAM DEMAND (gpm)	MINIMUM DURATION SPRINKLERS AND HOSE STREAM (hours)
	Density (gpm/ft2)	Area (square feet)		Maximum spacing	Racks up to 9 feet deep	Racks 9 to 12 feet	Minimum nozzle pressure	Number of sprinklers operating
		High temperature	Ordinary temperature
Maximum 20-foot storage height	0.60	2,000b	Not Applicable	100 ft2/head	1. Ordinary temperature, quick-response sprinklers, maximum 8 feet 3 inches horizontal spacing 2. One line of sprinklers at the 6-foot level and the 11.5-foot level of storage 3. Locate in longitudinal flue space, staggered vertical 4. Shields required where multilevel	Not Applicable	30 psi (standard orifice) or 14 psi (large orifice)	1. Six sprinklers each on two levels 2. Hydraulically most remote 12 sprinklers	500	2

For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m², 1 pound per square inch = 6.895 kPa, 1 gallon = 3.785 L, 1 gallon per minute = 3.785 L/m, 1 gallon per minute per square foot = 40.75 L/min/m².