Hazard Classification for Enclosed Loading Dock?

9/3/2021

What is the proper hazard classification for an enclosed loading dock?

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9 Comments

Alex

9/3/2021 07:37:08 am

Hi Anonymous,

NFPA 13 (2016) A.5.3.2 Ordinary Hazard Group 2 lists loading docks, both interior and exterior: “… exterior loading docks and all interior loading docks should be protected based upon the actual occupancy and the materials handled on the dock”

For the enclosed aspect, NFPA 13 (2016) A.5.3.1 states that automobile parking is Ordinary Hazard Group 1. I tried confirming that truck parking would fall within this category but cant find a definitive code section to site.

With that said (assuming truck parking is OHI, maybe someone else knows better), you would take the higher of the two and design your system based on A.5.3.2.

Thanks!
Alex

Glenn Berger

9/3/2021 08:13:03 am

OH2 is the starting point. A higher design criteria might be required based upon operations, storage type, commodity, etc.

Jesse

9/3/2021 08:16:53 am

Loading docks can be kinda tricky. There is the truck area, and the staging area where the goods transition to back to storage. Typically, we protect the staging area as OH2.

But if the staging area is used for storage, or if there are flammable / combustible liquids involved you'll need to protect accordingly. And beware of idle pallets! Stacks of idle wooden or plastic pallets may change your design approach.,

Dan Wilder

9/3/2021 08:30:31 am

When you state enclosed, is this enclosed for the vehicles, the unloaded commodities, both? Also what is being offloaded?

The hazard would depend on the height of the storage within the area and the commodity. For a standard dock where its just material transfer into/out of trucks the storage typically doesn't exceed the 12' height allowance, OHII typically will work however when the adjacent areas are all combined (no wall separation), the hazards can increase.

I have provided EHI & EHII and solid pile storage configurations up to 15' (this is typically 3 pallets tall) in some previous enclosed loading docks (Amazon, FedEx) and even higher for some retail central distribution locations where the racking was adjacent to the dock area.

Mike

9/3/2021 08:39:09 am

OH2

CJ Bonczyk

9/3/2021 09:08:40 am

Inside or outside the classification is OH2 except if you have an insurance carrier such as FM where the criteria may fall into a higher classification. To be confirm if there will be transient storage and how long it is stored and its contents an owners commodity classification letter should be filled out to ensure what will be located in that area and if items will be stored for longer durations.

Brian Cockburn

9/3/2021 09:15:12 am

As others have said, OH2 is probably the best place to start. If you know anything about what type of materials will be stored there and how they will be stored (racks, pallets, height of storage, etc.) then the hazard level might increase.

Jack

9/3/2021 01:18:53 pm

Sure depends on a lot of things. Overnight storage there? Or do they just load trucks and do not keep packages local? Racks? Movable racks?
Question needs to be more “ loading dock specific!!”

Steven link

9/13/2022 03:43:27 am

The starting point is OH2. Higher design criteria may be required depending on operations, storage type, commodity, and so on.

OHII will typically work for a standard dock where the storage is just material transfer into/out of trucks and does not exceed the 12' height allowance. However, when the adjacent areas are all combined (no wall separation), the hazards can increase.

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Hazard Classification for Enclosed Loading Dock?

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