SECTION 10.3.4.1.

3 COMBUSTIBLE COMMODITIES
In the storage of combustible commodities, the following factors shall be
considered:
1. method and height of stock piling;
2. combustibility of materials;
3. fuel load and rate of spread;
4. areas and size of piles;
5. aisle ways;
6. water supply;
7. sprinkler protection;
8. building construction, including height and area;
9. draft curtains;
10. roof vents; and
11. fire separations.
A. Storage and Handling
1. Common Requirements:
a. Storage of combustible commodities to include permanent
partition of walls and ceilings shall be of fire resistive materials such
as steel, iron, concrete, or masonry construction;
b. There shall be roof vents installed in each building or portion thereof
with a minimum dimension of not less than one hundred twenty
centimeters (120 cm).
c. In lieu of roof vents, a perimeter venting in the exterior wall in the
form of windows may be installed within twenty-three meters (23m)
from the exterior wall. The upper portion of that window shall be
located thirty-one centimeters (31cm) from the roof or ceiling level.
The window opening shall not be less than seven hundred sixty two
millimeters (762 mm) in height and one hundred fifty centimeters
(150 cm) wide. Venting shall be in accordance with the following
table:
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Table 15: STANDARDS OF VENTING FOR THE STORAGE AND
HANDLING OF COMBUSTIBLE COMMODITIES
HAZARD
CLASSIFICATION
VENT AREA TO
FLOOR AREA RATIO
MAXIMUM SPACING
BETWEEN VENT CENTERS
Low 14.00 50 meters
Average 9.30 40 meters
High 4.70 30 meters
Very High 2.80 23 meters
d. Vents shall consist of automatic roof vents equipped with a fusible
link designed to release prior to sprinkler operation, or roof openings
covered with approved plastic that will melt when heated and
drop out prior to sprinkler operation. Windows shall be equipped
with single thickness glass or plastic panels.
e. Aisles separating combustible commodities shall be not less than
two hundred forty centimeters (240 cm) in width. Aisles separating
commodities more than six meters (6m) in height shall be not less
than three meters (3m) in width. Main aisles shall be located
beneath draft curtains. Stock piles shall not extend beyond or
beneath a draft curtain. Aisles not less than one thousand one
hundred eighteen millimeters (1,118 mm) in width shall be
established to provide access to exits and firefighters access
doors. Aisles shall be kept clear of storage, waste materials and
debris at all times.
f. Firefighters access door, aisles and exit doors shall not be
obstructed. Access shall be provided at ground level for
firefighting. There shall be at least one (1) door not less than two
meters (2 m) in height for each thirty lineal meters (30 m). Metal rollup
doors are not allowed for such purpose.
g. The structural integrity of racks shall be maintained. Clearance
between ignition sources, such as light fixtures, heaters and flameproducing
devices, and combustible materials shall be maintained.
Smoking shall be prohibited and a NO SMOKING sign shall be
posted in conspicuous places.
2. Factors to be considered in the storage of common commodities:
a. Method and Height of Stock Piling
i. Bulk storage - consists of piles of loose, free-flowing materials,
including powder, granules, pellets, or flakes, and agricultural
items. The commodities are typically stored in silos, bins, tanks, or
in large piles on the floor.
ii. Solid piling - consists of cartons, boxes, bales, bags, etc., in
direct contact with each other. Air spaces or flues exist only
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where contact is imperfect, or where a pile is close to, but not
touching, another pile. Because pallets are not typically used,
stacking is done by hand or by lift trucks using side clamps or
prongs, which are pried between packages or bales without
damaging the product.
iii. Palletized storage - consists of unit loads placed on pallets that
are then stacked on top of one another. A pallet load usually
takes the form of a cube, with dimensions about one hundred
twenty to one hundred fifty centimeters (120 cm to 150 cm) in
height, and consists of a single or multiple package(s). The top
surface of the pallet load must adequately support other pallet
loads so that the commodity would not be crushed or the pile
would not become unstable. Due to these considerations, the
maximum height of palletized storage shall not exceed nine
hundred ten centimeters (910 cm)
iv. Rack storage is a structural framework in which the
commodity is placed usually as a pallet load. The design of rack
storage systems maximizes vertical storage capacity. The ceiling
height or the vertical reach of material handling equipment
limits storage heights. Some rack storage arrangements are
over thirty meters (30m) high.
iv.a. Single row racks include racks up to one hundred eighty
centimeters (180 cm) wide, separated from other storage
by at least one meter (1m) aisles.
iv.b. Double row racks consist of two single row racks placed
back to back with a combined width of up to three
hundred seventy centimeters (370 cm) and aisles at least
one meter (1m) wide on each side.
iv.c. Multiple row racks utilize a flow through or drive in
configuration. They consist of racks greater than three
hundred seventy centimeters (370 cm) wide, or single or
double row racks separated by aisles less than one meter
(1m) wide, with overall width exceeding three hundred
seventy centimeters (370 cm).
b. Combustibility of Materials
i. Commodity Classification
The following classification of commodities shall be used as a
guide in determining sprinkler, venting, aisle spacing and other
fire safety requirements for high piled storage:
i.a. Class I commodities are essentially noncombustible
products on wooden or non-expanded polyethylene solid
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deck pallets, in ordinary corrugated cartons with or without
single-thickness dividers, or in ordinary paper wrappings with
or without pallets. Class I commodities are allowed to
contain a limited amount of Group A plastics. Examples of
Class I commodities include, but are not limited to, the
following:
Alcoholic beverages, with not exceeding 20-percent of
alcohol
Appliances noncombustible, electrical
Cement in bags
Ceramics
Dairy products in non wax-coated containers (excluding
bottles)
Dry insecticides
Foods in noncombustible containers
Fresh fruits and vegetables in non-plastic trays or
containers
Frozen foods
Glass
Glycol in metal cans
Gypsum board
Inert materials, bagged
Insulation, noncombustible
Noncombustible liquids in plastic containers having less
than a 5-gallon (19 ) capacity
 Noncombustible metal products
i.b. Class II commodities are Class I products in slatted wooden
crates, solid wooden boxes, multiple-thickness paperboard
cartons or equivalent combustible packaging material with
or without pallets. Class II commodities are allowed to
contain a limited amount of Group A plastics. Examples of
Class II commodities include, but are not limited to, the
following:
Alcoholic beverages, with not exceeding 20-percent
alcohol, in combustible containers
Foods in combustible containers
Incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs in cartons
Thinly coated fine wire on reels or in cartons
i.c. Class III commodities are commodities of wood, paper,
natural fiber cloth, or group C plastics or products thereof,
with or without pallets. Products are allowed to contain
limited amounts of Group A or B plastics, such as metal
bicycles with plastic handles, pedals, seats and tires.
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Examples of Class III commodities include, but are not limited
to, the following:
Combustible fiberboard
Cork, baled
Feeds, bagged
Fertilizers, bagged
Food in plastic containers
Furniture: wood, natural fiber, upholstered, non-plastic
Wood or metal with plastic-padded and -covered arm
rests
Glycol in combustible containers not exceeding 25
percent
Lubricating or hydraulic fluid in metal cans
Lumber
Mattresses, excluding foam rubber and foam plastics
Noncombustible liquids in plastic containers having a
capacity of more than 5 gallons (19 )
Paints, oil base, in metal cans
Paper, waste, baled
Paper and pulp, horizontal storage, or vertical storage
that is banded or protected with approved wrap
Paper in cardboard boxes
Pillows, excluding foam rubber and foam plastics
Plastic-coated paper food containers
Plywood
Rags, baled
Rugs, without foam backing
Sugar, bagged
Wood, baled
 Wood doors, frames and cabinets
Yarns of natural fiber and viscose
i.d. Class IV commodities are class I, II or III products containing
Group A plastics in ordinary corrugated cartons, and class
I, II and III products with group A plastic packaging with or
without pallets. Group B plastics and free-flowing Group
A plastics are also included in this class. Examples of Class
IV commodities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Alcoholic beverages, with more than 20-percent but less
than 80-percent alcohol, in cans, bottles, or cartons.
Clothing, synthetic or non-viscose
Combustible metal products (solid)
Furniture, plastic upholstered
Furniture, wood or metal with plastic covering and
padding
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Glycol in combustible containers (greater than 25
percent and less than 50 percent)
Linoleum products
Paints, oil-based in combustible containers
Pharmaceutical, alcoholic elixirs, tonics, etc.
Rugs, foam back
Shingles, asphalt
Thread or yarn, synthetic or non-viscose
i.e. High-hazard commodities are high-hazard products
presenting special fire hazards beyond those of class I, II, III or
IV. Group A plastics not otherwise classified are included in
this class. Examples of high-hazard commodities include, but
are not limited to, the following:
Alcoholic beverages, with more than 80-percent alcohol,
in bottles or cartons
Commodities of any class in plastic containers in carousel
storage
Flammable solids (except solid combustible metals)
Glycol in combustible containers (50 percent or greater)
Lacquers, which dry by solvent evaporation, in metal
cans or cartons
Lubricating or hydraulic fluid in plastic containers
Mattresses, foam rubber or foam plastics
Pallets and flats which are idle combustible
Paper, asphalt, rolled, horizontal storage
Paper, asphalt, rolled, vertical storage
Paper and pulp, rolled, in vertical storage which is
unbanded or not protected with an approved wrap
Pillows, foam rubber and foam plastics
Pyroxylin
Rubber tires
Vegetable oil and butter in plastic containers
ii. Hazard Classification
Hazard shall be classified according to the combustibility of the
contents, giving primary consideration to the intensity of fire that
could occur; the form in which the products are stored; method
of storage; rate of heat release; and period of active burning,
to wit:
ii.a. Low Hazard Materials
Items unpacked except as noted
Appliances, electrical
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Cables and wiring on reels
Fertilizers, bagged (excluding ammonium nitrate)
Hides, leather
Inert materials, bagged
Metals on wood pallets
Sugar, bagged, raw
Tobacco in hogsheads
Wallboard, gypsum
Wool, baled
ii.b. Average Hazard Materials
ii.b.1. Stocks in Cartons
Books
Ceramics
Cereal
Fiberboard, vegetable
Foods, frozen
Glass
Glycols, in cans
Hydraulic fluids, in cans
Insulators, non-combustible
Liquids, noncombustible, in bottles
Lubricants, in cans
Metals
Paints, oil-based, in cans
Pharmaceuticals, alcoholic elixir, tonics, etc., less
than 80 proof
Plastics, low hazard
Stationery
Textiles
Tobacco products
Wiring, electric
Yarns
ii.b.2. Other Stock
Cartons flats
Clothing, packaged or in racks
Feed, bagged
Fiberboard, vegetable on pallets
Flour, bagged
Grain, bagged
Mattresses (excluding foamed) rubber and foamed
plastics)
Paper and pulp, rolled, vertical storage (adequately
banded)
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Paper and pulp, horizontal storage (without racks)
Pillows (excluding foamed rubber and foamed
plastics)
Pulp, bated
Rags, baled
Rugs (no foamed backing)
Shingles, asphalt
Sugar, bagged, refined
ii.c. High Hazard Materials
Flammable liquids posted in cans metals containers
Baked cork or other insulating materials
Upholstered furniture
Linoleum rugs or piles
Alcohol, weighty proof or higher, in barrels, tank or bottles
Paper products in loosed form not baled not banded and
stored horizontally
Baled waste paper
Pharmaceutical containing eighty (80) proof alcohol or
higher, in glass/plastic bottles.
Other plastic products
Bags and mats with plastic foam or cellular rubber backing
ii.d. Very High Hazard Materials
Paper products such as pulp/waxed paper, asphalt
coated paper in loose form or bobbies or rolled, not
banded or baled, and stored vertically
Pyroxylin or foam plastic products unpacked or packed in
carton.
Rubber goods and foamed rubber products, unpacked or
packed in carton
Flammable liquids, such as acetone, alcohol, lighter fluids,
varnish, paints, cleaning fluids, and the like, packed in
plastic containers or glass bottles
Cork or other insulating materials, NOT BALED
Ammonium nitrate fertilizer
B. On Fire Protection
1. An approved, supervised sprinkler system shall be required in each
building or portion thereof used for storage of combustible
commodities when the area exceeds two-thirds of the sum of the
basic floor area.
2. The design and installation of an approved, supervised sprinkler system
shall conform to NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler
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System.
3. Sprinkler discharge densities (liters/square meters) for combustible
commodities not exceeding six hundred forty centimeters (640 cm) in
height shall conform to the following table:
Table 16: SPRINKLER DISCHARGE DENSITIES FOR
COMBUSTIBLE COMMODITIES NOT EXCEEDING 640 cm IN
HEIGHT, BY HAZARD CLASSIFICATION
HAZARD
CLASSIFICATION
COMMODITY CLASS
I or II II or III III or IV
Low 8.2 8.2 10.2
Average 9.4 11.4 13.5
High 14.3 17.1 20.4
Very High
4. The protection of combustible commodities six hundred forty
centimeters (640 cm) and seven hundred sixty centimeters (760 cm) in
height will require up to thirty percent (30%) increase in the densities
listed in the above table. Commodities piled more than seven hundred
sixty centimeters (760 cm) in height will require multi-level sprinkler
application.
5. Sprinkler system protecting combustible commodities shall be
designed and installed to discharge the required water density within
the following prescribed minimum areas, except that areas shall be
not less than three hundred seventy square meters (370 m2) in
calculating water flows when densities of less than one thousand one
hundred forty-one liters per minute per square meters (1,141L/(min.
m2))
are specified.
Table 17: MINIMUM AREAS OF SPRINKLER DISCHARGE FOR COMBUSTIBLE
COMMODITIES, BY HAZARD CLASSIFICATION
HAZARD
CLASSIFICATION
AREA (m2)
Low 370
Average 378
High 418
Very High 557
6. The above-listed minimum areas are based on the regulations for roof
venting, draft curtains, aisle spacing, size pile and method of storage.
Higher densities may be required in buildings that do not conform to
these standards.
7. Sprinkler system shall be designed to utilize sprinklers with ordinal
temperature classification, except that sprinklers with an intermediate
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classification may be used in the design of systems to protect high or
very high hazard occupancies.
8. A minimum clearance of one meter (1 m) shall be provided between
sprinkler deflectors and top of storage.
9. Draft curtains shall be provided to limit the area of sprinkler operation
and to aid the operation of roof vents.
10. Draft Curtains shall be at least two meters (2 m) in depth and shall be
of noncombustible materials. In low or average hazard occupancies,
draft curtains, shall divide the under roof area into section not to
exceed nine hundred twenty nine square meters (929 m2). In high or
very high hazard storage areas, draft curtains shall divide the under
roof area into sections not to exceed five hundred fifty seven square
meters (557 m2).
11. Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed in combustible commodities
storage.
C. Fire Safety Clearance
A Fire Safety Clearance from City/Municipal Fire Marshal having
jurisdiction shall be obtained for the storage of combustible commodities.
A floor plan showing the dimension and location of high piled storage
area and aisle dimensions between each storage shall be submitted.