In NFPA-13, section 12.12.1.2
Our local code official states that we need to separate stacks by 8 ft AND have 25 ft of separate between commodities.
Our understanding is that it's either-or. Either we have 8 ft separation between stacks OR the stacks are separated by 25 ft of commodity.
Our layout does not allow for both: both 8 ft of separation and 25 ft clear of commodity.
12.12.1.2(4) is quite clear - the idle pallets must be arranged so that each pile is no more than 6 ft high, and each pile of up to 4 pallets has to be separated from other piles by 8 ft of clear space OR 25 ft of commodity.
Pallet fires are hard to extinguish because of their configuration that can provide a surface for flame spread that is not wetted by the sprinkler flow. So, they want indoor idle pallets kept to a minimum. The theory is, if one of the idle pallet piles catches fire, the fire will be less likely to 'jump' to the other adjacent piles if given a space of 8 feet apart - if there is commodity between the adjacent piles, the commodity could provide a fuel path for the fire to travel, so the distance is further, in order to allow for the sprinkler system to do its work before the fire can spread to the next pile of pallets.
I'm really not seeing how the code official interprets the code requirement to be both - the code specifies 25 feet OF commodity, not 25 feet FROM commodity. The only questionable arrangement would be if you have some commodity between the pallets, but not 25 feet of commodity - that would necessitate a judgment call to provide the adequate space to keep a fire in one pile from jumping to adjacent piles.
So what do you take “of” to mean?
Commentary says from
I take that to mean the amount of commodity between piles of idle pallets - 25 feet of, or 25 feet length with commodity stored in it, until the next idle pallet pile.
Commentary says from
Granted, the Handbook commentary does speak to keeping idle pallets away from other stacks of pallets and commodity, but it is contradictory to the language in the code section (which is the only enforceable language). Think about it - the reason for strictly limiting the idle pallet storage is because it could present a higher hazard than the commodity itself. So, if that's the reason, then why would you have only 8 feet space between adjacent piles of pallets, but you'd have to keep the idle pallets 25 feet from the commodity? The intent of the code requirement is to keep the fire from jumping from pile to pile in the idle pallets, so if 8 feet space is sufficient for that, why would they require it to be over 3 times as far to the lesser hazard? (the commodity)
Sprinklers over the pallets have one design??
And over the commodities could have a lesser design.
So which gets enforced? 25 ft OF commodity or 25 ft FROM commodity?
Is there a way to modify the sprinkler system to keep the 25 ft OF commodity between idle pallets?
If you have ever seen a pallet fire, I would do 25 feet from, and I think that is the intent.
If you look at that section, there are some sprinkler design criteria, that someone needs to know what a particular fire sprinkler system is designed to, in the first place.
There may be something in the fire code that also governs pallet storage, will have to look.
Do you have that many pallets??
Is there a need for them?? Can they be picked up more often?
Store some of them outside?
Indoor floor storage of pallets should be limited to six feet in height, with single stacks (four pallets per group) separated by at least eight feet, or 25 feet from commodity storage.
http://losscontrol.westfieldinsurance.com/2013/04/pallet-storage-what-you-need-to-know.html
That's all interesting stuff, but that's not what the code says - the sentence in the code that references the "25 feet of commodity" addresses when "each pile of no more than four stacks is separated from other pallet piles by... "
It is not specifying a separation from the commodity, it's specifying the required separation from other pallet piles.
I've submitted the question to NFPA technical staff to see what their response is.... This is a very interesting discussion!
The reason this isn't straight forward is because the code doesn't require two conditions to be met: at least 8 ft separation AND 25 ft clear of commodity. You only need to be ONE condition: pallets spaced 8 ft OR 25 ft from commodity, or separated by 25 ft OF commodity depending on which reference you use.
No there are two criteria
If you have multiple stacks of pallets, the eight feet separation is required.
Than any pallet stack cannot be within 25 feet of commodity storage.
12.12.12.1.2 actually covers an exception to sprinkler design.
And if you want to do item 4, than that sprinkler design with the requirement for how pallets will be stored.
You cannot have say six foot high pallets, and say ten stacks of them, with no separation, and store say 26 feet away from commodities, and say well I am more than 25 feet of commodity. I am good.
In the long run you have to convince the inspector.
There is this resource, sometimes they will answer non member questions::
Do you have a question about fire sprinkler engineering or codes? Have it answered on the job. NFSA members can call 443-552-4764 or email eod@nfsa.org.
https://nfsa.org/fire-sprinkler-resouces/
I would do the email route
That requirement doesn't contain an "AND" condition. Two groups of a pallets physically separated 25 ft apart between commodity meets that requirement, albeit not the intention.
Therefore, there seems to be three options:
1. Pallets spaced 8 feet apart;
2. Pallets 25 ft from commodity;
3. Pallets separated by 25 ft of commodity.
In other words, you can meet the intention code section in three ways.
For what it's worth, I got a response back on my technical question to NFPA staff - per Chad Duffy, Senior Fire Protection Engineer, the requirement is permitting pallet piles to be separated by 25 ft of commodity or, where there is no commodity between pallet piles, they must be separated by 8 ft of clear space. (Not 25 feet FROM commodity.)
Ok does not make sense but anyway
There is an "or" in there.
No higher than six feet
no more than four stacks
separated from other pallets by eight feet
OR 25 feet from commodity.
I can see where it could be both, you have multiple stacks of pallets, so you have to do the eight feet,
Than if the pallets are near say rack storage, you have to keep the twenty five feet away from the commodity storage area.
Poorly written in a way, good luck
You can access the standard for free, all you have to do is sign up, if you do not have access to the standard.
https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=13