Need help on NFPA 30 terminology
Need help on NFPA 30 terminology
(OP)
In NFPA 30, they talk about storage rack sections:
From the 1996 edition:
"4-4.4.4 Total quantity of liquids stored in a liquid warehouse shall not be restricted. However, the storage heights and maximum quantity per pile or rack section for unprotected storage shall comply with Table 4-4.4.1."
Can anybody please define a "rack section" for me? Is it a whole row, or is it one pair of uprights with tier beams? It makes a big difference. A row could be 150 feet long, where as a pair of uprights and some tier beams are typically only 8 or 9 feet long.
From the 1996 edition:
"4-4.4.4 Total quantity of liquids stored in a liquid warehouse shall not be restricted. However, the storage heights and maximum quantity per pile or rack section for unprotected storage shall comply with Table 4-4.4.1."
Can anybody please define a "rack section" for me? Is it a whole row, or is it one pair of uprights with tier beams? It makes a big difference. A row could be 150 feet long, where as a pair of uprights and some tier beams are typically only 8 or 9 feet long.





RE: Need help on NFPA 30 terminology
Since your in a liquid warehouse your quantity is not limited. However, because it is unprotected, your quantity limit in each rack is set forth in Table 4.4.4.1 for the class of liquid and its packaging.
I will also note that if this warehouse is being built in the US and the jurisdiction has adopted the 2003 International Fire Code (IFC), you cannot use the unprotected warehouse option based on the requirements in IFC Chapters 27 and 34.
RE: Need help on NFPA 30 terminology
Even if it means a whole row of uprights is one "rack section", I could double the allowable unprotected quantity by just taking the beams out from between the middle pair of a row of uprights. Essentially separating a single row into two rows.
Here's the back story:
I have a client I'm helping get out of a jam with the Fire Dept. He needs a new fire pump, and until he gets it, he'll be on city pressure. But the density isn't even enough for ordinary hazard, so it has to all be considered unprotected. We cut a deal with the city and county that in the interim we'll hire an off duty fireman to act as firewatch at night until the pump gets installed. But the fire chief and I both want to put together some good data on what's in the building, so as to help with future inspections and to act as a guide if it ever lights off. But he wants a "pre-pump" or unprotected list of allowable quantities, and a "post-pump" or protected list of allowable quantities.
RE: Need help on NFPA 30 terminology
For example, assume a liquid warehouse that is classified as unprotected that stores Class IC flammable liquids. The warehouse operator wants to store 27,500 gallons packaged in 50-60 gallon metal druums. In this case 10 racks, each limited to 2,750 gallons of Class IC flammable liquid could be installed. Neither the rack length, rack type, or arrangement between rack columns and beams are stipulated by NFPA 30. The only limit is quantity and storage height (5 feet).