A permit for miscellaneous combustible storage shall be required as set forth in Section 105.6.
Storage of materials in buildings shall be orderly and stacks shall be stable. Storage of combustible materials shall be separated from heaters or heating devices by distance or shielding so that ignition cannot occur.
Storage shall be maintained 2 feet (610 mm) or more below the ceiling in nonsprinklered areas of buildings or not less than 18 inches (457 mm) below sprinkler head deflectors in sprinklered areas of buildings.
Combustible material shall not be stored in boiler rooms, mechanical rooms, electrical equipment rooms or in fire command centers as specified in Section 508.1.5.
Attic, under-floor and concealed spaces used for storage of combustible materials shall be protected on the storage side as required for 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction. Openings shall be protected by assemblies that are self-closing and are of noncombustible construction or solid wood core not less than 13/4 inches (44.5 mm) in thickness. Storage shall not be placed on exposed joists.
Exceptions:
- Areas protected by approved automatic sprinkler systems.
- Group R-3 and Group U occupancies.
Every building used for storing
combustibles shall be divided into storage piles within single
storage areas by providing main aisles and side aisles.
Exception: Storage piles within a single storage area of
5,000 square feet (465 m2) or less may be divided by side aisles, provided no storage pile is greater than
15,000 cubic feet (425 m3).
There shall be no materials
stored within a storage pile more than 50 feet (15 240 mm)
from a main aisle and not more than 15 feet (4572 mm)
from a side aisle; and further, any storage pile over 50 feet
(15 240 mm) in length shall be bordered on at least two
sides by main aisles. Any storage pile shall be limited to a
maximum length of 100 feet (30 480 mm).
Height limitations shall comply
with Sections 315.3.7.1 through 315.3.7.3.
Storage shelving or racks
more than 5 feet 9 inches (1753 mm) in height shall be
designed and constructed in accordance with Chapter 9
of the LAMC (Building Code) and the requirements of
this article.
The height of piles of
materials, tiers of shelving, or racks shall be maintained
in ratio to the width of the aisles. With minimum main
or side aisle width, the height shall not exceed 15 feet
(4572 mm). When the height is increased, the main and
side aisles shall be increased in width 3 inches (76 mm)
for each foot of increased height.
Wood pallets and/or nonexpanded
polyethylene solid deck pallets shall be
stored no higher than 6 feet (1829 mm). Each pallet pile
(four individual stacks of pallets) shall be separated
from other pallet piles by a minimum distance of 8 feet
(2438 mm) and from the storage of other commodities
by 25 feet (7620 mm).
Clearance from
exposures shall comply with Sections 315.3.8.1 through
315.3.8.4.
A
clearance of at least 18 inches (457 mm) shall be maintained
between stored materials and lighting fixtures.
An
unobstructed clearance of at least 2 feet (610 mm) shall
be maintained between stored materials, which may
swell or expand with the absorption of water, and
building walls.
Materials which are particularly susceptible to water
damage shall be stored on skids, dunnage, pallets, or
elevated platforms, maintaining at least 4 inches (102
mm) of clearance from the floor.
Stored materials shall be
arranged so as to allow drainage of floor areas through
floor drains or wall scuppers.
Motorized
material-handling equipment shall be of a type designed for use
in accordance with the hazards of the location in which it
is used in compliance with NFPA 505. It shall be serviced,
repaired, and stored in other than single storage areas.
An area used for nonstorage
activities shall be separated from the storage area by a
minimum distance of 10 feet (3048 mm) when nonstorage
activities include repairing of crates, boxes, and containers
and repacking operations.
Aisle maintenance shall
conform to the following:
- Aisles and entrances shall be kept free of storage and equipment not being handled or operated.
- Storage piling and blocking shall be maintained to prevent materials from accidentally falling into aisles or clearance areas.
- Stored materials shall not be piled so as to create overhanging or bridging of main aisles or side aisles.
- Hazardous refuse shall be removed from aisles and properly stored or disposed of in accordance with Section 304 of this article.
Storage area prohibitions
shall comply with Sections 315.3.12.1 through
315.3.12.6.
The use of a building roof
for the storing, processing, producing, packing, or
packaging of any type of materials is prohibited.
Exception: Buildings which have been specifically
planned and constructed in accordance
with Chapter 9 of the LAMC (Building Code)
to utilize roof areas for such purposes.
The storing or keeping
of any combustible merchandise, materials, or equipment
in any subfloor area, attic, boiler room, mechanical
room, heating equipment room, water heater closet
or electrical panel room in a manner which would create
or constitute a fire hazard is prohibited.
There shall be no
enclosed usable space under stairways in an exit enclosure
(enclosed stairshafts serving three or more stories),
nor shall the open space under such stairways be used
for any purpose.
Exception: Space under exterior stairways and
interior stairways shall not be used for any purpose
except when the usable space under stairs
is enclosed and walls and soffits are protected
on the enclosed side as required for 1-hour fire-resistive
construction in accordance with Chapter
9 of the LAMC (Building Code).
The placing or
arranging of any combustible materials in any single
storage area in a manner which may cause or contribute
to spontaneous heating of the material is prohibited.
The placing or
arranging together in any single storage area of materials
having incompatible characteristics is prohibited.
Outside storage of combustible materials shall not be located within 10 feet (3048 mm) of a lot line.
Exceptions:
- The separation distance is allowed to be reduced to 3 feet (914 mm) for storage not exceeding 6 feet (1829 mm) in height.
- The separation distance is allowed to be reduced where the fire code official determines that no hazard to the adjoining property exists.
Where buildings are protected by automatic sprinklers, the outdoor storage, display and handling of combustible materials under eaves, canopies or other projections or overhangs are prohibited except where automatic sprinklers are installed under such eaves, canopies or other projections or overhangs.
Storage in the open shall not exceed 20 feet (6096 mm) in height.
All yards required by Chapter 9 of the
LAMC (Building Code) shall be maintained unoccupied
and unobstructed by the storage of combustible materials.
Single storage areas shall be
regulated as follows:
- Areas shall be separated from property lines, streets, alleys, or public way by side aisles.
- Areas shall be separated from other single storage areas by an access driveway.
- Single storage areas shall be divided into storage piles by means of access driveways, main aisle and side aisles.
- Each single storage area shall have access to a public street and the width of such access shall not be less than 20 feet (6096 mm).
- Storage piles within single storage areas shall be not more than 1,500 square feet (139 m2) in ground area.
- All storage piles shall be within 150 feet (45 720 mm) of travel to access driveways.
- Storage piles shall be within 65 feet (19 812 mm) of a main aisle.
- Storage piles shall be a minimum of 15 feet (4572 mm) from openings in buildings.
- Main aisles shall be accessible to access driveways.
- Storage piles shall be a minimum of 15 feet (4572 mm) from buildings having exterior walls of less than 2-hour fire-resistive construction.
Stored material shall be arranged to
facilitate and promote drainage away from such stored
materials and buildings.
Maintenance
and housekeeping in outside storage areas shall conform to
the following:
- Material-handling equipment shall be serviced, repaired, and stored in nonstorage areas.
- No person shall smoke, throw or deposit any lighted or smoldering substance in any place where "No Smoking" signs are posted or in any other place where smoking would occasion or constitute a fire hazard. The owner or operator or person in charge or control shall be responsible for the control of smoking. Areas shall be designated where smoking is permitted and equipped with receptacles for smoking refuse. "No Smoking" and "Smoking Permitted" signs shall be posted where appropriate.
- Aisles, driveways, and entrances shall be kept free of storage and equipment not being handled or operated.
- Stored or piled materials shall be maintained in such a manner as to prevent displacement into aisles or adjacent areas.
- Stored materials shall not be piled so as to create overhanging or bridging of driveways, main aisles or side aisles.
Storage located underneath high-voltage transmission lines shall be in accordance with Section 316.6.2.