This chapter shall apply to palletized, solid-piled, bin box, shelf, or back-to-back shelf storage of plastic and rubber commodities. The requirements of Chapter 12 shall apply unless modified by this chapter.
The design of the sprinkler system shall be based on those conditions that routinely or periodically exist in a building and create the greatest water demand, which include the following:
- Pile height
- Clearance to ceiling
- Pile stability
- Array
For the storage of Group A plastics stored 5 ft (1.5 m) or less in height, the sprinkler design criteria for miscellaneous storage specified in Chapter 13 shall be used. The protection criteria in Chapter 13 shall be acceptable for storage of Group A plastic commodities up to and including 5 ft (1.5 m) in height. (See Table 13.2.1 for specific Group A plastic storage height protection criteria.)
Protection for plastic and rubber commodities shall be in accordance with Section 15.2. The decision tree shown in Figure 15.2.2.1 shall be used to determine the protection in each specific situation, subject to the following limitations:
- Commodities that are stored palletized, solid piled, or in bin boxes up to 25 ft (7.6 m) in height.
- Commodities that are stored in shelf storage up to 15 ft (4.6 m) in height.
- Commodities that are stored using back-to-back shelf storage up to 15 ft (4.6 m) in height. The minimum aisle width shall be 60 in. (1.5 m). The design criteria shall be in accordance with Table 15.2.2.1. The back-to-back shelf shall have a full height solid vertical transverse barrier of 3/8 in. (10 mm) plywood or particleboard, 22 gauge sheet metal, or equivalent, from face of aisle to face of aisle, spaced at a maximum 45 ft (14 m) interval. The transverse barrier shall be permitted to terminate at the longitudinal barrier.
| Storage Height | Ceiling Height | Protection | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ft | m | ft | m | ||
| Over 5 up to 8 | 1.5/2.4 | Up to 14 | 4.3 | Ordinary Hazard Group 2 | |
| Up to 12 | 3.7 | Up to 15 | 4.6 | 0.45 gpm/ft2 over 2500 ft2 | 18.3 mm/min/232 m2 |
| Up to 12 | 3.7 | Up to 30 | 9.1 | 0.6 gpm/ft2 over 2500 ft2 | 24.4 mm/min/232 m2 |
| Up to 15 | 4.6 | Up to 30 | 9.1 | 0.7 gpm/ft2 over 2500 ft2 | 28.5 mm/min/232 m2 |
Note: Cartons that contain Group A plastic material are permitted to be treated as Class IV commodities under the following conditions:
(1) There are multiple layers of corrugation or equivalent outer material that would significantly delay fire involvement of the Group A plastic.
(2) The amount and arrangement of Group A plastic material within an ordinary carton would not be expected to significantly increase the fire hazard.
FIGURE 15.2.2.1 Decision Tree.
Factors affecting protection requirements such as closed/open array, clearance to ceiling, and stable/unstable piles shall be applicable only to storage of Group A plastics. This decision tree also shall be used to determine protection for commodities that are not wholly Group A plastics but contain such quantities and arrangements of the same that they are deemed more hazardous than Class IV commodities.
Group B plastics and free-flowing Group A plastics shall be protected in the same manner as a Class IV commodity. (See Chapter 14 for protection of these storage commodities with spray sprinklers.)
Group C plastics shall be protected in the same manner as a Class III commodity. (See Chapter 14 for protection of these storage commodities with spray sprinklers.)
Design areas and densities for the appropriate storage configuration shall be selected from Table 15.2.2.5(a) or Table 15.2.2.5(b) as appropriate.
Table 15.2.2.5(a) Design Densities for Palletized, Solid-Piled, Bin Box, or Shelf Storage of Group A Plastic Commodities (U.S. Customary Units)
| Maximum Storage Height (ft) | Roof/Ceiling Height (ft) | Density (gpm/ft2) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | B | C | D | E | ||
| >5 to ≤12 | Up to 15 | 0.2 | EH2 | 0.3 | EH1 | EH2 |
| >15 to 20 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.5 | EH2 | EH2 | |
| >20 to 32 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.45 | 0.7 | |
| 15 | Up to 20 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.45 |
| >20 to 25 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.45 | 0.7 | |
| >25 to 35 | 0.45 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.55 | 0.85 | |
| 20 | Up to 25 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.45 | 0.7 |
| >25 to 30 | 0.45 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.55 | 0.85 | |
| >30 to 35 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 0.85 | 0.7 | 1.1 | |
| 25 | Up to 30 | 0.45 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.55 | 0.85 |
| >30 to 35 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 0.85 | 0.7 | 1.1 | |
| Notes: | ||||||
| (1) Minimum clearance between sprinkler deflector and top of storage shall be maintained as required. | ||||||
| (2) Column designations correspond to the configuration of plastics storage as follows: | ||||||
| A: (1) Nonexpanded, unstable | ||||||
| (2) Nonexpanded, stable, solid unit load | ||||||
| B: Expanded, exposed, stable | ||||||
| C: (1) Expanded, exposed, unstable | ||||||
| (2) Nonexpanded, stable, cartoned | ||||||
| D: Expanded, cartoned, unstable | ||||||
| E: (1) Expanded, cartoned, stable | ||||||
| (2) Nonexpanded, stable, exposed | ||||||
| (3) EH1 = Density required by Figure 13.2.1 for Curve EH1 | ||||||
| EH2 = Density required by Figure 13.2.1 for Curve EH2 | ||||||
| (4) Roof/ceiling height >35 ft is not permitted. | ||||||
Table 15.2.2.5(b) Design Densities for Palletized, Solid-Piled, Bin Box, or Shelf Storage of Group A Plastic Commodities (S.I. Units)
| Maximum Storage Height (m) | Roof/Ceiling Height (m) | Density (mm/min) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | B | C | D | E | ||
| >1.5 to ≤3.6 | Up to 4.6 | 8.1 | EH2 | 12.2 | EH1 | EH2 |
| >4.6 to 6.1 | 12.2 | 24.4 | 20.4 | EH2 | EH2 | |
| >6.1 to 9.7 | 16.3 | 32.6 | 24.4 | 18.3 | 28.5 | |
| 4.6 | Up to 6.1 | 12.2 | 24.4 | 20.4 | 16.3 | 18.3 |
| >6.1 to 7.6 | 16.3 | 32.6 | 24.4 | 18.3 | 28.5 | |
| >7.6 to 11 | 18.3 | 36.7 | 28.5 | 22.4 | 34.6 | |
| 6.1 | Up to 7.6 | 16.3 | 32.6 | 24.4 | 18.3 | 28.5 |
| >7.6 to 9.1 | 18.3 | 36.7 | 28.5 | 22.4 | 34.6 | |
| >9.1 to 11 | 24.4 | 48.9 | 34.6 | 28.5 | 44.8 | |
| 7.6 | Up to 9.1 | 18.3 | 36.7 | 28.5 | 22.4 | 34.6 |
| >9.1 to 11 | 24.4 | 48.9 | 34.6 | 28.5 | 44.8 | |
| Notes: | ||||||
| (1) Minimum clearance between sprinkler deflector and top of storage shall be maintained as required. | ||||||
| (2) Column designations correspond to the configuration of plastics storage as follows: | ||||||
| A: (1) Nonexpanded, unstable | ||||||
| (2) Nonexpanded, stable, solid unit load | ||||||
| B: Expanded, exposed, stable | ||||||
| C: (1) Expanded, exposed, unstable | ||||||
| (2) Nonexpanded, stable, cartoned | ||||||
| D: Expanded, cartoned, unstable | ||||||
| E: (1) Expanded, cartoned, stable | ||||||
| (2) Nonexpanded, stable, exposed | ||||||
| (3) EH1 = Density required by Figure 13.2.1 for Curve EH1 | ||||||
| EH2 = Density required by Figure 13.2.1 for Curve EH2 | ||||||
| (4) Roof/ceiling height >35 ft is not permitted. | ||||||
The ceiling-only protection criteria specified in Chapter 17 for rack storage of Group A plastic commodities shall be permitted to be used for solid-piled and palletized storage of the same commodity at the same height and clearance to ceiling.
For Table 15.2.2.5(a) and Table 15.2.2.5(b), the design areas shall be as follows:
- The area shall be a minimum of 2500 ft2 (232 m2),
- Where Table 15.2.2.5(a) and Table 15.2.2.5(b) allow densities and areas to be selected in accordance with Curve EH1 and Curve EH2 of Figure 13.2.1, any density/area from the curves in Figure 13.2.1 shall be permitted. When selecting a point from the EH1 or EH2 density/area curves of Figure 13.2.1, the following area reductions shall be permitted:
- For K-8.0 (115) sprinklers used with Curve EH1, the design area shall be permitted to be reduced by 25 percent, but not below 2000 ft2 (186 m2), where high temperature sprinklers are used.
- For K-11.2 (160) or larger sprinklers, the design area shall be permitted to be reduced by 25 percent, but not below 2000 ft2 (186 m2), regardless of temperature rating.
- For closed arrays, the area shall be permitted to be reduced to 2000 ft2 (186 m2).
Interpolation of densities between storage heights shall be permitted.
Densities shall be based on the 2500 ft2 (232 m2) design area.
Interpolation of ceiling/roof heights shall not be permitted.
Protection of palletized and solid-piled storage of unexpanded and expanded Group A plastic commodities shall be in accordance with Table 15.3.1.
Table 15.3.1 CMSA Sprinkler Design Criteria for Palletized and Solid-Piled Storage of Group A Plastic Commodities
| Storage Arrangement | Commodity Class | Maximum Storage Height | Maximum Ceiling/Roof Height | K-Factor/ Orientation |
Type of System | Number of Design Sprinklers | Minimum Operating Pressure | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ft | m | ft | m | psi | bar | |||||
| Palletized | Cartoned unexpanded plastics | 20 | 6.1 | 30 | 9.1 | 11.2 (160) Upright | Wet | 25 | 25 | 1.7 |
| 16.8 (240) Upright | Wet | 15 | 22 | 1.5 | ||||||
| 19.6 (280) Pendent | Wet | 15 | 16 | 1.1 | ||||||
| 25 | 7.6 | 30 | 9.1 | 16.8 (240) Upright | Wet | 15 | 22 | 1.5 | ||
| 19.6 (280) Pendent | Wet | 15 | 16 | 1.1 | ||||||
| 30 | 9.1 | 35 | 11 | 19.6 (280) Pendent | Wet | 15 | 25 | 1.7 | ||
| 35 | 11 | 40 | 12 | 19.6 (280) Pendent | Wet | 15 | 30 | 2.1 | ||
| Solid piled | Cartoned unexpanded plastics | 20 | 6.1 | 30 | 9.1 | 11.2 (160) Upright | Wet | 15 | 50 | 3.4 |
| 16.8 (240) Upright | Wet | 15 | 22 | 1.5 | ||||||
| 19.6 (280) Pendent | Wet | 15 | 16 | 1.1 | ||||||
| 25 | 7.6 | 30 | 9.1 | 16.8 (240) Upright | Wet | 15 | 22 | 1.5 | ||
| 19.6 (280) Pendent | Wet | 15 | 16 | 1.1 | ||||||
| 30 | 9.1 | 35 | 11 | 19.6 (280) Pendent | Wet | 15 | 25 | 1.7 | ||
| 35 | 11 | 40 | 12 | 19.6 (280) Pendent | Wet | 15 | 30 | 2.1 | ||
| Palletized | Exposed unexpanded plastics | 20 | 6.1 | 30 | 9.1 | 11.2 (160) Upright | Wet | 25 | 25 | 1.7 |
| 16.8 (240) Upright | Wet | 15 | 22 | 1.5 | ||||||
| 25 | 7.6 | 30 | 9.1 | 16.8 (240) Upright | Wet | 15 | 22 | 1.5 | ||
| Cartoned or exposed expanded plastics | 18 | 5.5 | 26 | 7.9 | 11.2 (160) Upright | Wet | 15 | 50 | 3.4 | |
| 16.8 (240) Upright | Wet | 15 | 22 | 1.5 | ||||||
| Solid piled | Cartoned or exposed unexpanded plastics | 20 | 6.1 | 30 | 9.1 | 11.2 (160) Upright | Wet | 15 | 50 | 3.4 |
| 25 | 7.6 | 30 | 9.1 | 16.8 (240) Upright | Wet | 15 | 22 | 1.5 | ||
For the purpose of using Table 15.3.1, preaction systems shall be classified as dry pipe systems.
Building steel shall not require special protection where Table 15.3.1 is applied as appropriate for the storage configuration.
Protection of palletized and solid-piled storage of cartoned or exposed unexpanded plastic and cartoned expanded or exposed expanded plastic shall be in accordance with Table 15.4.1
| Storage Arrangement | Commodity | Maximum Storage Height | Maximum Ceiling/Roof Height | Nominal K-Factor | Orientation | Minimum Operating Pressure | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ft | m | ft | m | psi | bar | ||||
| Palletized and solid-piled storage (no open-top containers) | Cartoned unexpanded plastic | 20 | 6.1 | 25 | 7.6 | 14.0 (200) |
Upright/pendent | 50 | 3.4 |
| 16.8 (240) |
Upright/pendent | 35 | 2.4 | ||||||
| 22.4 (320) |
Pendent | 25 | 1.7 | ||||||
| 25.2 (360) |
Pendent | 15 | 1.0 | ||||||
| 30 | 9.1 | 14.0 (200) |
Upright/pendent | 50 | 3.4 | ||||
| 16.8 (240) |
Upright/pendent | 35 | 2.4 | ||||||
| 22.4 (320) |
Pendent | 25 | 1.7 | ||||||
| 25.2 (360) |
Pendent | 15 | 1.0 | ||||||
| 35 | 11 | 14.0 (200) |
Upright/pendent | 75 | 5.2 | ||||
| 16.8 (240) |
Upright/pendent | 52 | 3.6 | ||||||
| 22.4 (320) |
Pendent | 35 | 2.4 | ||||||
| 25.2 (360) |
Pendent | 20 | 1.4 | ||||||
| 40 | 12 | 16.8 (240) |
Pendent | 52 | 3.6 | ||||
| 22.4 (320) |
Pendent | 40 | 2.7 | ||||||
| 25.2 (360) |
Pendent | 25 | 1.7 | ||||||
| 45 | 14 | 22.4 (320) |
Pendent | 40 | 2.7 | ||||
| 25.2 (360) |
Pendent | 40 | 2.7 | ||||||
| 25 | 7.6 | 30 | 9.1 | 14.0 (200) |
Upright/pendent | 50 | 3.4 | ||
| 16.8 (240) |
Upright/pendent | 35 | 2.4 | ||||||
| 22.4 (320) |
Pendent | 25 | 1.7 | ||||||
| 25.2 (360) |
Pendent | 15 | 1.0 | ||||||
| 32 | 10 | 14.0 (200) |
Upright/pendent | 60 | 4.1 | ||||
| 16.8 (240) |
Upright/pendent | 42 | 2.9 | ||||||
| 35 | 11 | 14.0 (200) |
Upright or pendent | 75 | 5.2 | ||||
| 16.8 (240) |
Upright/pendent | 52 | 3.6 | ||||||
| 22.4 (320) |
Pendent | 35 | 2.4 | ||||||
| 25.2 (360) |
Pendent | 20 | 1.4 | ||||||
| 40 | 12 | 16.8 (240) |
Pendent | 52 | 3.6 | ||||
| 22.4 (320) |
Pendent | 40 | 2.7 | ||||||
| 25.2 (360) |
Pendent | 25 | 1.7 | ||||||
| 45 | 14 | 22.4 (320) |
Pendent | 40 | 2.7 | ||||
| 25.2 (360) |
Pendent | 40 | 2.7 | ||||||
| 30 | 9.1 | 35 | 11 | 14.0 (200) |
Upright/pendent | 75 | 5.2 | ||
| 16.8 (240) |
Upright/pendent | 52 | 3.6 | ||||||
| 22.4 (320) |
Pendent | 35 | 2.4 | ||||||
| 25.2 (360) |
Pendent | 20 | 1.4 | ||||||
| 40 | 12 | 16.8 (240) |
Pendent | 52 | 3.6 | ||||
| 22.4 (320) |
Pendent | 40 | 2.7 | ||||||
| 25.2 (360) |
Pendent | 25 | 1.7 | ||||||
| 45 | 14 | 22.4 (320) |
Pendent | 40 | 2.7 | ||||
| 25.2 (360) |
Pendent | 40 | 2.7 | ||||||
| 35 | 10.7 | 40 | 12 | 16.8 (240) |
Pendent | 52 | 3.6 | ||
| 22.4 (320) |
Pendent | 40 | 2.7 | ||||||
| 25.2 (360) |
Pendent | 25 | 1.7 | ||||||
| 45 | 14 | 22.4 (320) |
Pendent | 40 | 2.7 | ||||
| 25.2 (360) |
Pendent | 40 | 2.7 | ||||||
| 40 | 12.2 | 45 | 14 | 22.4 (320) |
Pendent | 40 | 2.7 | ||
| 25.2 (360) |
Pendent | 40 | 2.7 | ||||||
| Exposed unexpanded plastic | 20 | 6.1 | 25 | 7.6 | 14.0 (200) |
Pendent | 50 | 3.4 | |
| 16.8 (240) |
Pendent | 35 | 2.4 | ||||||
| 30 | 9.1 | 14.0 (200) |
Pendent | 50 | 3.4 | ||||
| 16.8 (240) |
Pendent | 35 | 2.4 | ||||||
| 35 | 11 | 14.0 (200) |
Pendent | 75 | 5.2 | ||||
| 16.8 (240) |
Pendent | 52 | 3.6 | ||||||
| 40 | 12 | 16.8 (240) |
Pendent | 52 | 3.6 | ||||
| 25 | 7.6 | 30 | 9.1 | 14.0 (200) |
Pendent | 50 | 3.4 | ||
| 16.8 (240) |
Pendent | 35 | 2.4 | ||||||
| 32 | 9.7 | 14.0 (200) |
Pendent | 60 | 4.1 | ||||
| 16.8 (240) |
Pendent | 42 | 2.9 | ||||||
| 35 | 11 | 14.0 (200) |
Pendent | 75 | 5.2 | ||||
| 16.8 (240) |
Pendent | 52 | 3.6 | ||||||
| 40 | 12 | 16.8 (240) |
Pendent | 52 | 3.6 | ||||
| 22.4 (320) |
Pendent | 50 | 3.4 | ||||||
| 25.2 (360) |
Pendent | 50 | 3.4 | ||||||
| 30 | 9.1 | 35 | 11 | 14.0 (200) |
Pendent | 75 | 5.2 | ||
| 16.8 (240) |
Pendent | 52 | 3.6 | ||||||
| 40 | 12 | 16.8 (240) |
Pendent | 52 | 3.6 | ||||
| 22.4 (320) |
Pendent | 50 | 3.4 | ||||||
| 25.2 (360) |
Pendent | 50 | 3.4 | ||||||
| 35 | 11 | 40 | 12 | 16.8 (240) |
Pendent | 52 | 3.6 | ||
| 22.4 (320) |
Pendent | 50 | 3.4 | ||||||
| 25.2 (360) |
Pendent | 50 | 3.4 | ||||||
| Cartoned expanded plastic | 20 | 6.1 | 25 | 7.6 | 14.0 (200) |
Upright/pendent | 50 | 3.4 | |
| 16.8 (240) |
Upright/pendent | 35 | 2.4 | ||||||
| 30 | 9.1 | 14.0 (200) |
Upright/pendent | 50 | 3.4 | ||||
| 16.8 (240) |
Upright/pendent | 35 | 2.4 | ||||||
| 25 | 7.6 | 30 | 9.1 | 14.0 (200) |
Upright/pendent | 50 | 3.4 | ||
| 16.8 (240) |
Upright/pendent | 35 | 2.4 | ||||||
| 32 | 10 | 14.0 (200) |
Pendent | 60 | 4.1 | ||||
| 16.8 (240) |
Upright/pendent | 42 | 2.9 | ||||||
| Exposed* expanded plastic | 25 | 7.6 | 40 | 12 | 25.2 (360) |
Pendent | 60 | 4.1 | |
| * Applies to closed array storage only. | |||||||||
ESFR sprinkler systems shall be designed such that the minimum operating pressure is not less than that indicated in Table 15.4.1 for type of storage, commodity, storage height, and building height involved.
The design area shall consist of the most hydraulically demanding area of 12 sprinklers, consisting of four sprinklers on each of three branch lines.
A reduction in ceiling density to one-half that required for Class I through Class IV commodities, idle pallets, or plastics shall be permitted without revising the design area, but the density shall be no less than 0.15 gpm/ft2 (6.1 mm/min).