Any Reason for >2,000 sf for Idle Wood Pallets?

8/20/2025

I'm looking at the Idle Wood Pallet Table, 20.14.1.2(a) in NFPA 13, 2019 Edition.

Below the table there's a note saying if using 11.2K or larger K-factor sprinkler or high-temperature rated 8.0K sprinkler, the design area can be reduce to 2,000 sqft.

But the table notes anything over 6 ft storage require 11.2k sprinklers with various area of operation over the 2,000 sqft.

If what I'm reading is correct, is there a reason to use any of the area of operation noted in the table instead of the 2,000 sqft, since I be using 11.2K anyway as required?

I feel like that note is only really directed to the < 6 storage height for an option to use 11.2K to decrease the area of operation from 3,000 to 2,000. Is that right?

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5 Comments

Pete H

8/20/2025 06:20:15 am

Absolutely correct.

There's an asterisk next to the area of operation for the less than 6'-0" storage row on that table.

That asterisk leads to the note.

So you can only shrink the area of operation down to 2000 sq. ft with 11.2k heads OR high temperature-rated sprinklers for idle pallet storage on floor up to 6'-0" in height. .2 Density

At 6-8 feet of idle pallet storage on floor you must use 11.2k (or larger) heads and a 2500 sq ft operation. .45 Density

At 8 to 12 feet of idle pallet storage on floor or on rack without solid shelves - 11.2k heads (or larger) and a 3500 sq ft design area. .6 Density

At 12 ft to 20 ft of idle pallet storage on floor or on rack without solid shelves - 11.2k heads (or larger) with a design area of 4500 sq ft .6 Density

and ANY storage elevation up to 20'-0" on floor with 16.8K heads or larger - 2000 sq ft area of operation. .6 Density

8/21/2025 05:51:38 am

We need a like button.

Joe Meyer

8/21/2025 07:02:04 am

I know, right!? The good thing about this site (this is Joe Meyer) is that its simple and easy to comment - the downside is if I swap out the commenting system it'll require user logins and feel significantly different.

I'll revisit options soon and see if there aren't quality updates that might be available since last I checked.

8/21/2025 09:37:53 am

Thank you!

I actually made the small mistake of completely missing the asterisk on the table for the 6’-0” storage and thought that note was referring to all the storage heights on the table which lead to my initial confusion. I was about to design per the < 8’ and shave off 500 sq.ft of my design before this!

Jesse

8/20/2025 12:56:20 pm

You are correct. When I was first cutting my teeth in the world I was in Loss Control. I read a big study on idle pallets and the BTU release expected and it was rarther terrifying

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Any Reason for >2,000 sf for Idle Wood Pallets?

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