Pallets stored outdoors shall comply with Sections 315.7 through 315.7.7. Pallets stored within a building shall be protected in accordance with Chapter 32.
Where buildings are equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system, the outdoor storage of pallets 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.
Pallet storage shall not be located within 10 feet (3048 mm) of a lot line.
Pallet storage shall not exceed 20 feet (6096 mm) in height.
Pallet stacks shall be arranged to form stable piles. Individual pallet piles shall cover an area not greater than 400 square feet (37 m2).
Pallets shall be all wood, with slatted or solid top or bottom, with metal fasteners, or shall be plastic or composite pallets, listed and labeled in accordance with UL 2335 or FM 4996. Plastic pallets shall be both solid and gridded deck, independent of the pallet manufacturing process, type of resin used in fabrication or geometry of the pallet.
In addition to the other requirements of this section, pallet stacks and piles shall be separated in accordance with Sections 315.7.6.1 and 315.7.6.2.
SEPARATION DISTANCE BETWEEN WOOD PALLET STACKS AND BUILDINGS
| WALL CONSTRUCTION | OPENING TYPE | WOOD PALLET SEPARATION DISTANCE (feet) | ||
| ≤ 50 Pallets | 51 to 200 Pallets | > 200 Pallets | ||
| Masonry | None | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Masonry | Fire-rated glazing with open sprinklers | 2 | 5 | 20 |
| Masonry | Fire-rated glazing | 10 | 5 | 20 |
| Masonry | Plain glass with open sprinklers | 10 | 5 | 20 |
| Noncombustible | None | 10 | 5 | 20 |
| Wood with open sprinklers | — | 10 | 5 | 20 |
| Wood | None | 15 | 30 | 90 |
| Any | Plain glass | 15 | 30 | 90 |
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
SEPARATION DISTANCE BETWEEN PLASTIC PALLET STACKS AND BUILDINGS
| WALL CONSTRUCTION | OPENING TYPE | PLASTIC PALLET SEPARATION DISTANCE (feet) | ||
| ≤ 50 Pallets | 51 to 200 Pallets | > 200 Pallets | ||
| Masonry | None | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Masonry | Fire-rated glazing with open sprinklers | 10 | 20 | 50 |
| Masonry | Fire-rated glazing | 15 | 40 | 100 |
| Masonry | Plain glass with open sprinklers | 15 | 40 | 100 |
| Noncombustible | None | 15 | 40 | 100 |
| Wood with open sprinklers | — | 15 | 40 | 100 |
| Wood | None | 30 | 80 | 150 |
| Any | Plain glass | 30 | 80 | 150 |
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
SEPARATION FROM OTHER PALLET PILES AND ON-SITE STORAGE (WOOD PALLETS)
| WOOD PALLET SEPARATION DISTANCE (feet) | |||
| ≤ 50 Pallets | 51 to 200 Pallets | > 200 Pallets | |
| Between pallet piles | 7.5 | 15 | 45 |
| Other on-site storage | 7.5 | 15 | 45 |
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
Pallet stacks and piles shall be separated from buildings in accordance with Table 315.7.6(1) for wood pallets and Table 315.7.6(2) for plastic pallets.
Pallets shall be separated from other pallet piles and other storage in accordance with Table 315.7.6(3) for wood pallets and Table 315.7.6(4) for plastic pallets.
Pallets shall not be stored underneath high-voltage transmission lines, elevated roadways or elevated railways.