3208.1 General.

Rack storage shall be designed and maintained in accordance with FC 3206 and this section. Bin boxes exceeding 5 feet (1524 mm) in any dimension shall be regulated as rack storage.

3208.2 Fire protection.

Where a sprinkler system is required for rack storage pursuant to FC Table 3206.2, a sprinkler system shall be provided in any area containing such storage that is enclosed in 1-hour fire-rated walls in accordance with the Building Code, or, if such storage is not enclosed within such fire-rated walls, throughout the building. Openings in such walls shall be protected by opening protective assemblies having 1-hour fire protection ratings. The design and installation of the sprinkler system and other applicable fire protection shall be in accordance with this code, the construction codes, including the Building Code, and NFPA 13, as modified by FC Appendix B.

3208.2.1 Plastic pallets and shelves.

Storage on plastic pallets or plastic shelves shall be protected by approved specially-engineered fire protection systems, except that plastic pallets listed and labeled in accordance with UL 2335 or FM 4996 shall be treated as wood pallets for determining required sprinkler protection.

3208.2.2 Racks with solid shelving.

Racks with solid shelving having an area greater than 32 square feet (3 m 2), measured between approved flue spaces at all four edges of the shelf, shall be in accordance with this section.

   Exceptions:

      1.   Racks with mesh, grated, slatted or similar shelves having uniform openings not more than 6 inches (152 mm) apart, comprising at least 50 percent of overall shelf area, and with approved flue spaces, are allowed to be treated as racks without solid shelves.

      2.   Racks used for the storage of combustible paper records, with solid shelving, shall be in accordance with NFPA 13, as modified by FC Appendix B.

3208.2.2.1 Fire protection.

Fire protection for racks with solid shelving shall be in accordance with NFPA 13, as modified by FC Appendix B.

FC Table 3208.3
Required Flue Spaces for Rack Storage

Rack Configuration	Sprinkler Protection		Sprinkler at the Ceiling with or Without Minimumin-Rack Sprinklers			In-Rack Sprinklers at Every Tier	Non- sprinklered
			25 feet		> 25 feet	Any height	Any height
	Storage Height		Option 1	Option 2
Single-row rack	Transverse flue space	Size b	3 inches	Not Applicable	3 inches	Not Required	Not Required
		Vertically aligned	Not Required	Not Applicable	Yes	Not Applicable	Not Required
	Longitudinal flue space		Not Required	Not Applicable	Not Required	Not Required	Not Required
Double-row rack	Transverse flue space	Size b	6 inches a	3 inches	3 inches	Not Required	Not Required
		Vertically aligned	Not Required	Not Required	Yes	Not Applicable	Not Required
	Longitudinal flue space		Not Required	6 inches	6 inches	Not Required	Not Required
Multi-row rack	Transverse flue space	Size b	6 inches	Not Applicable	6 inches	Not Required	Not Required
		Vertically aligned	Not Required	Not Applicable	Yes	Not Applicable	Not Required
	Longitudinal flue space		Not Required	Not Applicable	Not Required	Not Required	Not Required

For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm.

a.   Three-inch transverse flue spaces shall be provided at least every 10 feet where ESFR sprinkler protection is provided.

b.   Random variations are allowed, provided that the configuration does not obstruct water penetration.

3208.3 Flue spaces.

Flue spaces shall be provided in accordance with FC Table 3208.3. Required flue spaces shall be maintained. When the flue spaces are not being maintained, the department may require the installation of approved devices to protect the flue spaces by preventing the placement or storage of obstructing materials in such spaces. Such protective devices shall not be removed or modified without department approval.

3208.4 Column protection.

Steel building columns shall be protected in accordance with NFPA 13, as modified by FC Appendix B.

3208.5 Extra-high-rack storage systems.

Approval of the commissioner shall be obtained prior to installing extra-high-rack combustible storage.

3208.5.1 Fire protection.

Buildings with extra-high-rack combustible storage shall be protected with a specially engineered sprinkler system. Extra-high-rack combustible storage shall be provided with additional special fire protection, such as separation from other buildings and additional built-in fire protection features and fire department access, when required by the commissioner.