Group A in Plastic Totes: Exposed or Cartoned?

4/5/2023

Would the rack storage of non-encapsulated, Group A, unexpanded plastic commodities, stored in solid plastic containers (totes), be considered cartoned or exposed?

NFPA-13 Section 3.9.1.1 defines cartoned as storage consisting of corrugated cardboard or paperboared containers fully enclosing the commodity.

NFPA-13 Section 3.9.1.13 defines Exposed Group A Plastic Commodites as those plastics not in packaging or coverings that absorb water.

This leads me to think that any rack storage of Group A unexpanded plastics within solid plastic containers should be considered exposed, as these are not cardboard or paperboard nor does plastic absorb water.

Thanks in advance!

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8 Comments

Anthony

4/5/2023 08:02:03 am

Definitely not cartoned as the packing material cannot absorb water.

I'd consider what you describe as exposed given the definition below.

Check FM8-1 Table 2.2.8.3 and Fig 2.2.8.3-2/1 This will give you your best guidance on how to calcify these materials as the storage tote will drive the FP in this case.

Make sure to run your conclusions thorough the 17.1.2.1 tree after.

NFPA 13-16:

3.9.1.1 Cartoned: A method of storage consisting of corrugated cardboard or paperboard containers fully enclosing the commodity.

3.9.1.13 Exposed Group A Plastic Commodities: Those plastics not in packaging or coverings that absorb water or otherwise appreciably retard the burning hazard of the commodity. (Paper wrapped or encapsulated, or both, should be considered exposed.)

Jesse

4/5/2023 08:06:21 am

Group A unexpanded, Exposed, not cartoned.

Alex

4/5/2023 08:11:45 am

Since the non-encapsulated, Group A, unexpanded plastic commodities are stored in solid plastic containers (totes) rather than corrugated cardboard or paperboard containers, they do not meet the definition of cartoned storage according to NFPA-13 Section 3.9.1.1.

Furthermore, as you mentioned, the solid plastic containers do not absorb water, which means they do not provide any water-absorbing packaging or coverings as described in NFPA-13 Section 3.9.1.13.

Therefore, the rack storage of Group A unexpanded plastics within solid plastic containers should be considered exposed.

Glenn Berger

4/5/2023 08:18:43 am

Exposed would be correct. The language stating commodity needs to be defined as the entire unit being stored.

4/5/2023 08:22:25 am

Make sure the plastic totes are not considered open-top containers in which case they are outside of the scope of NFPA 13.

NFPA 13, 2016 §3.9.1.19 Open-Top Container. "A container of any shape that is entire or partially open on the top and arranged so as to allow for the collection of discharging sprinkler water cascading through the storage array."

§A.3.9.1.19 provides guidance and considerations on whether or not a container should be treated as an "open-top container".

Table 14.4.1 ESFR Protection of Palletized and Solid-Piled Storage of Class I-IV Commodities.
Commodity: (no open-top containers)

Table 15.4.1 ESFR Protection of Palletized and Solid-Piled Storage of Group A Plastic Commodities.
Storage arrangement: (no open-top containers)

Chapter 16 Protection of Rack Storage of Class I-IV Commodities.
§16.1.7 Open-Top Containers. "The protection of open-top containers shall be considered outside the scope of Chapter 16.

Chapter 17 Protection of Rack Storage of Plastic and Rubber Commodities.
§17.1.6 Open-Top Containers. "The protection of open-top containers is outside of the scope of Chapter 17."

If the plastic totes have tops that are always closed, I would protect as exposed unexpanded group A plastic. The definitition of Cartoned [NFPA 13, 2016 §3.9.1.1 Cartoned "A method of storage consisting of corrugated cardboard or paper containers fully enclosing the commodity"] does not fit your situation because your containers are not cardboard or paper.

Todd E Wyatt

4/5/2023 08:40:49 am

I recommend review of the adopted Fire Code (e.g. 2021 IFC) for the identification and classification of COMMODITIES.

The referenced standard per 2021 IFC (Chapter 80 Referenced Standard) for the design and installation of an automatic sprinkler system (ASPS) is 2019 NFPA 13.

Todd E Wyatt

4/5/2023 08:42:58 am

REFERENCES

2021 IFC
Chapter 32 High-Piled Combustible Storage
User note:
About this chapter: Chapter 32 provides guidance for reasonable protection of life from hazards associated with the storage of combustible materials in closely packed piles or on pallets, in racks or on shelves where the top of storage is greater than 12 feet in height, or 6 feet for high-hazard COMMODITIES. It provides requirements for identifying various classes of COMMODITIES; and general fire and life safety features including storage arrangements, smoke and heat venting, fire department access and housekeeping and maintenance.

Section 3201 General
3201.3 Construction Documents
The construction documents shall include all of the following:
7. Location and classification of COMMODITIES in accordance with Section 3203.
8. Location of COMMODITIES that are banded or encapsulated.
14. Additional information regarding required design features, COMMODITIES, storage arrangement and fire protection features within the high-piled storage area shall be provided at the time of permit, where required by the fire code official.

3201.3.2 Approved Storage Layout
A floor plan, of legible size, shall be provided, mounted on a wall and protected from damage. The floor plan shall be mounted in an approved location and show the following:
3. Types of COMMODITIES.
7. Location and classification of COMMODITIES in accordance with Section 3203.

Section 3203 COMMODITY Classification
3203.1 Classification of COMMODITIES
COMMODITIES shall be classified as Class I, II, III, IV or high hazard in accordance with Sections 3203.2 through 3203.10.3. Materials listed within each COMMODITY classification are assumed to be unmodified for improved combustibility characteristics. Use of flame-retarding modifiers or the physical form of the material could change the classification.
3203.2 Class I COMMODITIES
Class I COMMODITIES are noncombustible products in ordinary corrugated cartons with or without single-thickness dividers, or in ordinary paper wrappings with or without wood pallets. The amount of Group A plastics shall be limited in accordance with Section 3203.9.
3203.3 Class II COMMODITIES
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 wood pallets. The amount of Group A plastics shall be limited in accordance with Section 3203.9.
3203.4 Class III COMMODITIES
Class III COMMODITIES are products of wood, paper, natural fiber cloth, or Group C plastics or products thereof, with or without wood pallets. The amount of Group A plastics shall be limited in accordance with Section 3203.9.
3203.5 Class IV COMMODITIES
Class IV COMMODITIES are Class I, II or III products containing Group A plastics in ordinary corrugated cartons; Class I, II and III products with Group A plastic packaging; Group B plastics; and free-flowing Group A plastics with or without wood pallets. The total amount of nonfree-flowing Group A plastics shall be limited in accordance with Section 3203.9.
3203.6 High-Hazard COMMODITIES
High-hazard COMMODITIES are 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.
3203.7 Classification of Plastics
Plastics shall be designated as Group A, B or C in accordance with Sections 3203.7.1 through 3203.7.3.
3203.7.1 Group A Plastics
Group A plastics are plastic materials having a heat of combustion that is much higher than that of ordinary combustibles, and a burning rate higher than that of Group B plastics.
3203.7.2 Group B Plastics
Group B plastics are plastic materials having a heat of combustion and a burning rate higher than that of ordinary combustibles, but not as high as those of Group A plastics.
3203.7.3 Group C Plastics
Group C plastics are plastic materials having a heat of combustion and a burning rate similar to those of ordinary combustibles.
3203.8 Examples of COMMODITY Classification
Table 3203.8 shall be used to determine the COMMODITY classification for various products and materials. Products not found in the list shall be classified based on the classification descriptions in Sections 3203.2 through 3203.6 and the products they most nearly represent in Table 3203.8. Table 3203.8 considers the product and the packaging if listed with the item. Products with additional packaging consisting of Group A plastics shall be classified in accordance with Section 3203.9.
The COMMODITY classifications are based on products with, or without, wood pallets. Where plastic pallets are used, the COMMODITY classification shall be modified in accordance with Section 3203.10.
3203.9 Limited Quantities of Group A Plastics in Mixed COMMODITIES
3203.9.1 Classifying Mixed COMMODITIES With Limited Group A Plastics
3203.9.2 Percentage of Group A Plastics

Franck

4/5/2023 11:04:27 am

Note that even if inside the totes there is no exposed unexpanded group A plastic, you may consider it as exposed unexpanded group A plastic as the fire will affect mostly the totes regarding its behaviour (quick surface spreading on non water absorbing surface), unless you have a commodity inside that could limit that effect (such as water in plastic bottles that is not expised group A plastic despite the plastic outside).

NK pointed a very important point with open top containers (unless the container has openings on the side and bottom). The use of covers could solve the issue.

Group A in Plastic Totes: Exposed or Cartoned?

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