(A) Definition. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
COMBUSTIBLE FIBERS. Cotton, sisal, henequen, ixtle, jute, hemp tow, cocoa fiber, oakum, baled waste, baled wastepaper, kapok, hay, straw, Spanish moss and excelsior.
(B) Storage requirements.
(1) Combustible fibers, under 500 cubic feet or less.
(a) Loose fibers, not in suitable bales or packages, whether housed or in the open, shall not be stored within 100 feet of any building, except as hereinafter specified.
(b) Not more than 100 cubic feet of loose combustible fiber may be kept in any building, provided storage is in a metal-lined wooden bin, equipped with a self-closing metal lined cover.
(c) Quantities exceeding 100 cubic feet of loose combustible fiber, but not exceeding 500 cubic feet, may be stored in rooms or compartments having floor, walls and ceiling constructed of material possessing sufficient fire resistance to withstand a standard one-hour fire test. Openings into the rooms or compartments shall be cut off from other parts of the building by approved fire doors.
(2) Quantities exceeding 500 cubic feet. Quantities exceeding 500 cubic feet of loose combustible fiber may be stored in approved vaults, constructed as follows.
(a) Storage vaults shall preferably be located outside of buildings. If located inside, safety vents to outside air shall be provided.
(b) Walls, floors and ceilings shall be constructed of brick or other approved noncombustible material, but may be so constructed as to readily give way in case of an internal explosion.
(c) Openings, if any, between vault and main building shall be protected on each side of the wall by an approved fire door. Wall openings in outside vaults exposing other property (not sufficiently detached to be considered cut off) shall be protected by approved fire doors or equivalent.
(d) Vaults located within buildings and exceeding 1,000 cubic feet storage capacity shall be protected by approved automatic sprinklers, if possible. Where the protection is not available, steam jets or inert gas systems approved for fire extinguishing purposes shall be installed.
(3) Quantities not to exceed 2,500 cubic feet. Requirements for storage not to exceed 2,500 cubic feet shall be as follows: not more than 2,500 cubic feet of loose fiber may be stored in a detached “loose house” suitably located, with openings properly protected against entrance of sparks. The “loose house” shall be used for no other purpose.
(C) Additional requirements. The following are further requirements relating to combustible fibers.
(1) Blocks or piles of baled fiber shall be separated from adjacent storage by aisles not less than five feet wide or by flash fire barriers consisting of continuous sheets of noncombustible material extending from floor to a height of at least one foot above the highest point of piles and projecting at least one foot beyond the sides of the piles.
(2) Sisal and other fibers in bales bound with combustible tie ropes, also jute and other fibers liable to swell when wet, shall be stored to allow for expansion to the extent of 20% of their bulk in any direction without endangering building walls, ceilings or columns. Not less than three feet clearance shall be maintained between sprinkler pipes and tops of piles. Not less than three feet clearance shall be left between walls and sides of piles; except that, if storage compartment is not more than 30 feet in width, one foot clearance at side walls will be sufficient, provided a center aisle not less than five feet wide is maintained.
(Prior Code, § 4-6-1) Penalty, see § 98.99