Steel Parts with 25-ft Rack Fall Under Chapter 16?

3/14/2022

We have a warehouse with all steel parts and materials. There are no pallets.

If these parts and materials are stored on 25-foot high racks, does the design criteria of Chapter 16 in NFPA 13 (2016 Edition) apply for a commodity like this?

Am I missing something critical here?

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5 Comments

Pete H

3/14/2022 07:44:45 am

Doesn't seem like you are. I don't see much specific guidance on noncombustible metal (steel) parts and materials, so I couldn't tell you what commodity classification is correct (but it doesn't seem like it would be high.) But I also don't see any reason Chapter 16 wouldn't apply.

Jesse

3/14/2022 08:13:10 am

If there is any packaging at all such as polystyrene wrap, pallets, single of double thickness corrugated then it sounds like you're in Class -I Commodity and protect it using the appropriate design curve in chapter 16. If it simply is steel parts on steel rack with no pallets or other combustible packaging, its a Class-0 commodity. Sometimes, you can make the case to omit protection altogether, or protect the overriding occupancy as OH2

Anthony

3/14/2022 11:37:53 am

I think you're in OH2 specifically because you have no combustibles. If you're storing steel on steel/metal racks then you don't have an instance of "stockpiles of contents with moderate rates of heat release." check NFPA 13 2016 A5.3.2.(14) Metal Working.

I'd check if you have any lubricants or welding gasses that they'd be a higher hazard. Also check for combustible metals like magnesium or lithium which may drive the design.

Note of caution, if there is any wood or cardboard at all for the packing materials for the parts then you'll be in CH16 of NFPA 13 2016

Franck

3/14/2022 11:44:37 am

As indicated by Jesse, if you have metal racks and metal parts storage with no packaging at all (no pallets, no plastic encapsulation…) in a non combustible building, you’re not even part of NFPA 13… you don’t need sprinkler protection and you’re the dream of any insurance company.

You only need sprinkler protection if there is something to protect, i.e. something to burn.

Note that if your metal parts are on pallets, you have a class I commodity (only the pallets would burn) and if you put them in cardboard boxes, you become a class II (wooden pallets + packaging would burn).
But only metal = no fire hazard = no sprinkler

Franck

3/14/2022 11:50:17 am

And don’t be afraid of metal fires.
Pyrophoric metals (titanium, zirconium…) only burns when they are in a finely divided form (dust…). A titanium tube or bar is non combustible.

In all ways, if you have a metal fire : NEVER use water… You will have hydrogen production and explosion (unless you pour everything in a huge amount of water).
So, no sprinkler for metal fires…

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Steel Parts with 25-ft Rack Fall Under Chapter 16?

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