§ 385.36 Scope and Application of Provisions

   (a)   The provisions of Sections 385.36 to 385.45 shall govern the storing or handling of combustible fibers either as a manufactured or natural end product, or as a material used in manufacturing processes.

   (b)   After June 27, 1949, all newly-instituted storage of combustible fiber shall be in conformity with this Fire Prevention Code.

   (c)   When storage of combustible fiber existing on June 27, 1949, does not conform to the provisions of this Code and is deemed unusually hazardous to life or to adjacent property by the Fire Chief, such storage shall be made to conform substantially with the provisions of this Code or shall be discontinued.

(Ord. No. 991-49. Passed 6-27-49, eff. 6-27-49)

§ 385.37 Definition

   “Combustible fibers” means fibrous materials which are highly flammable such as hay, straw, broomcorn, hemp, tow, jute, sisal, moss, paper, rags, excelsior, hair, kapok, oakum, cotton, henequen, ixtle, cocoa fiber, and wheat straw.

(Ord. No. 991-49. Passed 6-27-49, eff. 6-27-49)

§ 385.38 Storage in Connection with Farming

   Hay or straw and other agricultural products may be stored in or near barns or similar farm buildings within the Urban District, provided that no hazard to adjoining property is created thereby. Such storage shall not be subject to the provisions of other sections or Sections 385.36 to 385.45.

(Ord. No. 991-49. Passed 6-27-49, eff. 6-27-49)

§ 385.39 Storage of Loose Fiber up to 500 Cubic Feet

   (a)   Quantities of loose combustible fiber exceeding one hundred (100) cubic feet, but not exceeding five hundred (500) cubic feet, shall be stored in rooms or compartments having floors, walls and ceilings of fire-resistive construction, having a fire- resistance rating of not less than three-fourths (3/4) hour and with interior openings to such rooms or compartments equipped with self-closing or automatic closing opening protectives having a fire resistance rating of not less than three-fourths (3/4) hour.

   (b)   Quantities of loose combustible fiber of one hundred (100) cubic feet or less shall be stored in fire resistive rooms as provided in subsection (a) hereof, or shall be stored in incombustible or metal-lined bins equipped with self-closing incombustible or metal-lined covers.

(Ord. No. 991-49. Passed 6-27-49, eff. 6-27-49)

§ 385.40 Storage of Loose Fiber in Excess of 500 Cubic Feet

   (a)   Quantities exceeding five hundred (500) cubic feet of loose combustible fiber shall be stored in fire-resistive storage rooms conforming to the applicable provisions of Section 3129.43(c), having incombustible floor, wall and ceiling construction with a fire resistance rating of not less than two (2) hours. However, when the quantity of combustible fiber stored in such rooms exceeds one thousand (1,000) cubic feet, the required fire resistance rating shall be not less than four (4) hours for walls and partitions and not less than three (3) hours for floor and ceiling construction.

   (b)   All such fire-resistive rooms shall have provisions for venting gas and smoke to the outer air as specified in Section 3129.43(c), except that the required vent area need not exceed one (1) square foot for each two hundred (200) cubic feet of room volume.

   (c)   All interior openings within enclosures of such fire-resistive storage rooms shall have self-closing or automatic opening protectives. Enclosures required to have a fire resistance rating of two (2) hours shall have opening protectives with a fire resistance rating of not less than one and one-half (1-1/2) hours. Enclosures required to have a fire resistance rating greater than two (2) hours shall have openings protected with opening protectives on both sides of the opening. Such opening protectives shall have a combined fire resistance rating of not less than four (4) hours.

(Ord. No. 991-49. Passed 6-27-49, eff. 6-27-49)

§ 385.41 Isolated Storage Buildings for Loose Fiber

   Isolated storage buildings for the storage of loose combustible fiber shall be not less than fifty (50) feet from other buildings not on the same property and not less than fifty (50) feet from lines on adjacent property where buildings may be built. Such isolated storage buildings shall be not less than twenty (20) feet from buildings on the same property and shall in all cases be suitably located where approved by the Fire Chief, with openings properly protected against the entrance of sparks. The maximum quantity of loose combustible fiber stored in one (1) isolated storage building shall be two thousand five hundred (2,500) cubic feet.

(Ord. No. 991-49. Passed 6-27-49, eff. 6-27-49)

§ 385.42 Prohibited Outdoor Storage of Loose Fiber

   Loose combustible fiber not in suitable bales or packages shall not be stored in the open within one hundred (100) feet of any building or any line on adjacent premises on which buildings may be built. Combustible fiber in bales or packages stored outdoors shall conform to Section 385.76.

(Ord. No. 991-49. Passed 6-27-49, eff. 6-27-49)

§ 385.43 Storage Warehouses and Rooms for Baled Fiber

   (a)   Storage warehouses and rooms for baled combustible fiber shall be classified as high hazard occupancy and all such warehouses and rooms shall be of Class I-A, fireproof construction.

   (b)   No piles of baled combustible fiber in such storage warehouse or room shall exceed nine (9) feet in height and no single storage compartment shall exceed five thousand (5,000) square feet in floor area.

   (c)   Floors shall be designed to support safely the water-saturated weight of the combustible fiber to be stored thereon.

   (d)   All interior walls of storage rooms shall have fire resistance ratings of not less than four (4) hours and all openings in such walls shall have opening protectives installed on both sides of the opening. Such opening protectives shall have a combined fire resistance rating of not less than four (4) hours.

(Ord. No. 991-49. Passed 6-27-49, eff. 6-27-49)