2015 IFC. I have a tire warehouse t

[Rick18071]

2015 IFC. I have a tire warehouse that want to put in a high-pile rack system in only part of the building. Racks will be 21" high. Looking at table 3206.2 to determine protection how do you measure the size of the high-piled storage area, Just the racks them self's, or do you count the aisles between them?

They are putting in two row of racks in a 520,000 sq, ft. space, one row along an exterior wall is 540' x 4'-6" and the next row is 12' away 400' long with two rows of 4'-6" racks 6" apart.

What does it mean on table 3206.2 and 3207.1 as solid piles. If the rack is filled with tires would that mean solid piles? not sure if their using pallets but they are calling it a "Pallet Rack" on the permit application but it doesn't look like they are using shelves. I'm not sure because tires have holes in them as well as other spaces, but the tires could also be sticking out past the edge of the racks.
If I figure the cubic feet of these racks (add 4' above top of rack where tires could be stored, but it could be more) I get 150,7750 cubic feet which is way more than the maximum pile volume in table 3206.2.

 

[LCREP]

Check NFPA 13 for storage configuration in the 2013 Ed see

A.3.9.4.9 Rubber Tire Rack Illustrations. Figure A.3.9.4.9(a) through Figure A.3.9.4.9(g)

This will give you an idea of how tires are stored and the required sprinkler protection which can be significant. Then you can ask questions and have them tell you as per NFPA 13 how they plan to provide protection based on the above storage configuration.

From an insurance point of view we would take the entire area including aisles in the square foot calculations for any storage area regardless of the commodity stored.

Check out FM Data Sheet 8-3 it covers rubber tire storage and will give you a good overview of the hazards. FM data sheets are free. See below for how they overview the hazards.


2.1 Introduction
The required protection for storage of rubber tires falls into several categories: construction and location, occupancy, and automatic sprinkler protection. Most rubber products have a smooth surface which does not absorb water. Pre-wetting with water, which is possible with products like paper or wood, is not possible with rubber tires. Also, rubber tires lose their stability in case of fire, collapse, and produce pool fires. In addition, rubber tires fire generate a great deal of smoke, and toxic products of combustion which hinders manual fire fighting and causes extensive damage. Finally, storage and stacking arrangements of rubber tires create difficult challenges with regards to fire fighting since the tire’s hollow, doughnut shaped form allows flames to grow on its inner surface while at the same time shielding flames from sprinkler spray.


3.1 General
Tire storage presents a severe fire hazard. Tires burn rapidly, emitting intense heat and large quantities of dense smoke that hamper firefighting. Tires are generally manufactured from synthetic compounds, carbon, oil, various additives and steel, fiberglass, polyester, cotton, etc. The principal materials used in tires are
synthetic rubbers. Heat of combustion can vary from 14,000 to 20,000 Btu/lb (33 to 34 MJ/kg). Ignition temperature can vary from 700°F to 800°F (371°C to 425°C). The hollow, toroidal shape of the tire provides a large shielded surface area and flue spaces which, combined with the material, result in a severe fire hazard.

Automatic sprinklers can control fires in most tire storages, but water demands are high. Manual firefighting is valuable, but difficult because of the intense heat and smoke produced.

 

[cdafd]

So using International fire code, how do you determine high piled storage area square feet??

Include some of the aisles or not?