Commodity Class for Sealant Tubes in Boxes?

11/4/2024

I am looking for a little help with a storage commodity.

We have a client that is adding in-rack sprinklers to an existing sprinklered facility and is planning on storing tubes of Adseal 1940 adhesive sealant in boxes, in racks up to 15ft.

According to the MSDS sheet, it is a solid (paste) that is primarily made up of Calcium Carbonate, which in itself is non-combustible, and the flammability hazard rating is “(1) Slight”.

The existing hydraulic placard indicates the existing system was designed to a density of .29/2000, which is about equivalent to Single-Double Row Rack Storage of Class I-IV Commodity per NFPA 13, 2019 edition:

Per Table 21.4.1.2 and Figure 24.4.1.2(d), 8ft aisles and 286 deg F sprinklers, the base design density would be +/- .495/2000. Then, applying a 60% reduction of the density for 15-ft high storage, the final design criteria would be .297/2000.

My only concern is that the commodity would be classified as a Group A Nonexpanded since there is a huge jump in design density. Per NFPA 13 2019 Table A.20.4(b), it mentions that “Bottles or jars (except PET) up to 1 gal containing noncombustible solids” are classified as Group A Nonexpanded. It also calls out such things as “Powders, non-combustible in plastic bottles or jars up to 1 gal; cartoned” as Class IV commodities.

So, I am kind of on the fence on this one between Class IV vs Grp A.

Has anyone ran into having to protect adhesive sealants before or anything similar and would be willing to share their decision process?

Thank you in advance!

Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe

8 Comments

Dan Wilder

11/4/2024 07:50:11 am

21.2.2.3 only provides 70% of the design curve, to get to 60% the storage would need to be <12' (assuming it falls within Class I-IV)

No mention of how it's cartoned (say double vs single corrugation), pallet type, or encapsulation.

Could you also apply a % by volume/weight to reduce the commodity classification (if that applies)?

Really need to nail down the commodity prior to referring to any design density or allowable density reductions.

Jeff C

11/4/2024 10:26:52 am

The caulking is in single corrugated boxes that include 12 tubes each. They are on wood pallets and are not encapsulated.

The original question referenced the incorrect table number. The storage configuration is single- and double-row racking up to 15ft. So, the reduction of the design density should be per Figure 21.4.1.4.1 for rack storage (not 21.2.2.3). The only reason for going through that exercise was to cross-reference the riser placard which only gave density/area criteria in order to verify the existing sprinkler system design.

Pete H

11/4/2024 07:52:21 am

Never ran into this before.

Because this product is in tubes my basic question is thus:

Plastic tubes, hard paper tubes or metal tubes?

If they're plastic tubes, I see the argument for group A plastics.

If it is a metal or cardboard tube with just the plastic nozzle, I'd see the argument for Class IV (plastic can be argued to be incidental like the trim of appliances).

If it's just a metal or cardboard tube in the box, leaning strongly into the class I-IV it was already designed for.

Anthony

11/4/2024 08:14:10 am

My concern here is the same as Pete's: If the sealant is stored in a plastic tube then you have a group A plastic argument you're going to have to deal with. I'd also be interested in what off gassing these produces would have when exposed to fire conditions prior to looking for any reductions in applied water volume?

11/4/2024 10:47:53 am

According to the MSDS sheets, it gives off carbon oxides and other irritant/toxic gases and fumes when exposed to a fire condition. There is mention water spray may be useful in cooling equipment and cans exposed to heat and flame. There is also recommendation to use carbon dioxide, chemical agent and appropriate foam to extinguish surrounding products. I do not know a lot about applying reductions for volume/weight but it appears that the gases are hazardous.

11/4/2024 10:40:54 am

They are plastic tubes.

After doing further research, it appears that this product would be a "plastic container - bottle or jar (except PET) up to 1 gal (4 L) containing noncombustible soilds" which is considered a Group A, nonexpanded commodity per NFPA 13.

Jose Figueroa

11/4/2024 11:00:02 am

It's important to note that we are dealing with Class A plastics (I previously mentioned Class VI, so it's better to clarify). We can expect the combustion products to include COx. To ensure safety, automatic sprinklers, along with in-rack sprinklers, provide the most effective protection in this scenario. I recommend avoiding gaseous protection systems in this case.

11/4/2024 10:36:12 am

Due to the adhesive properties of Adseal 1940 and its slightly combustible nature, which is packaged in plastic tubes within corrugated cartons, it can be confidently classified as a Class VI commodity.

Commodity Class for Sealant Tubes in Boxes?

Leave a Reply.

ALL-ACCESS

SUBSCRIBE

COMMUNITY

YOUR POST

PE EXAM

FILTERS

ARCHIVES

PE PREP SERIES