In-Rack Sprinklers Req'd for Steel-Only Storage?

7/13/2022

If I store only steel items, in steel racks with flow through shelves (made of steel), do I need in-rack sprinklers?

It seems logical that I could use only ceiling sprinklers in this example. The logic is that the all steel construction has zero fuel for a fire and acts as a good "fire break" against the spread of fire within the building.

Let me know if you'd agree or if I'm off base here. Thanks in advance.

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6 Comments

Alex

7/13/2022 06:11:56 am

Hi,

In-racks are not only dictated by the commodity but based on the rack arrangement. But as a general answer, no, just storing metal on steel racks does not mitigate in racks. You need to follow the code based on your overall rack and building layout.

Now, does it seem logical, yes. If a fire were to start and have no combustibles within a close proximity, you would think it would burn itself out with no real threat. If your rack arrangement drives you for in-racks, a performance based design may be best here. Like I'm sure others will say, its worth while to loop the AHJ in early.

Thanks,
Alex

Jesse

7/13/2022 08:15:53 am

A couple factors come in the play with determining the need for in-rack automatic sprinklers. I know of several insurers that treat steel on steel racks (without wooden pallets) effectively a Class 0 Commodity, though you won't find that in 13.

Assuming its a Class-I Commodity, look at 2016 NFPA 13 Fig. 16.2.1.3.2.(a). Here you can find design curves for several different scenarios. Ceiling only, ceiling with IRAS, high temp, ord. temp. etc.

sean

7/13/2022 08:16:43 am

You would just need to use a fire sprinkler design that requires ceiling only protection.

In-rack sprinklers can be required either because the commodity is of higher fire load or because the ceiling sprinkler design can not achieve the higher demand of a ceiling only system.

Glenn Berger

7/13/2022 08:27:26 am

Need additional information to provide proper guidance, including building height, commodity to be stored, number of shelves, storage arrangements. This is area of NFPA 13 that is extremely prescriptive and deviations are typically not accepted.

Brian Hoole link

7/13/2022 11:02:04 am

I find it difficult to believe that there wouldn't be combustibles and that the building would be able to maintain that state through its life. If we're talking steel pipe on pipe racks then it's easy, but if these are pallet racks with open shelves we have to consider how they're stored and organized. While the commodity itself is non-combustible it doesn't make sense for large pieces of steel to be processed without an efficient means to load/unload the shelves and small pieces risk falling through open shelves. Would there be delivery packaging materials and waste of the same? Would organization means include combustible pallets, cardboard boxes, plastic bins, etc. or for non-combustible intent metal pallets and wire baskets? The difficulty is in achieving and maintaining the minimal combustibles.

Franck

7/13/2022 12:58:17 pm

Working for an insurance company, I would even consider that you don’t need sprinklers at the ceiling… unless there is something else to burn (as a combustible roof for example).
But steel products stored in racks with no pallets and no wooden shelves is definitely not something that worries me.

As indicated by Jesse, it is not even a class I commodity and fall out of the scope of NFPA 13. So just technical judgment and common sense.

If you want to be very conservative, consider it as a class I, and you will probably don’t need in-racks.

But be careful, any slight change in the stored products (with plastic or paper wrappings, wooden or plastic pallets…) would change the evaluation and might end up with additional sprinkler protection requirements

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In-Rack Sprinklers Req'd for Steel-Only Storage?

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