UFC 3-600-01
17 April 2003
with change 16 January 2004
Racks with solid shelves over 3.7 m (12 ft) in height must be
protected with in-rack sprinklers at every tier or shelf level.
Sprinkler riser control valves must be readily accessible to the fire
department from the exterior.
Exception: For DLA projects, sprinkler riser control valves must be
in separate exterior riser room (s) and readily accessible to the fire department.
6-10.1.1
Duration. The minimum duration for warehouse facilities must be
120 minutes.
6-10.1.2
Hose Stream Allowance. Provide a hose stream allowance of
1900 Lpm (500 gpm).
6-10.2
Bin Storage. Bin storage consists of five-sided, open from top or
side storage containers, stacked in rack structures. They are commonly used in
automatic storage and retrieval systems. Bin storage requires unique
considerations for fire protection. Bin storage configurations do not limit oxygen
supply. Horizontal flame spread can be rapid. The narrower the aisles and the
higher the storage, the less ceiling sprinkler water penetration is delivered to
control the fire.
6-10.2.1
Requirements. Protection of bin storage stacked in rack
configuration must be in accordance with NFPA 13. Combustible bins in racks
present a greater fire hazard and require a 10 percent increase in ceiling density
or one additional level of in-rack sprinklers. Bin storage not stacked in a rack
configuration must be protected in accordance with NFPA 13. Mini-storage and
retrieval systems and carousel storage must be protected in accordance with FM
Global Data Sheet 8-33, Carousel Storage and Retrieval Systems.
6-10.3
Column Protection. Steel columns located within rack storage
areas (actually surrounded by racks) over 929 m2 (10,000 ft2) must be protected
by 2-hour fire rated construction or applied fireproofing or by sidewall sprinklers
at 4.6 m (15-ft) elevation intervals pointing directly at the column.
6-10.4
Fire Area Limitation and Separation. Warehouse fire areas must
not exceed 5,574 m2 (60,000 ft2). Warehouse fire areas may be increased to
11,148 m2 (120,000 ft2) with the following provisions:
Ceiling sprinkler design area must be increased by 10 percent.
ESFR sprinklers must increase the required number to be
calculated by 10 percent.
Looped mains with adequate sectional valves must be provided
around the facility.
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