Auto Parts Storage

[TravisMack]

Just off the cuff, what would you give as a commodity classification for auto parts storage.

We have a project where they are storing to 16' high. The GC/Owner will only say auto parts. I keep pushing back that we need a break down. Looking at my truck, there is A LOT of plastics in the construction.

I'm just curious what others are using.

Travis Mack
MFP Design, LLC

http://www.mfpdesign.com

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[MatthewJWillis]

I have done Class I, but I knew what they were.

The unwillingness to specify tells me they know what they have...

R/
Matt

 

[TravisMack]

I'm hoping that Class III will cover it, but I really don't know. This has been back and forth for 6 weeks trying to get information.

It is 16' high with a grated mezzanine at 8'. The architect has come back and said that everyone else just did it as OH2. I said I feel that they have been wrong all along. From what I understand, you go from floor to top of storage to get your overhead density. You then have to add sprinklers under the grated mezzanine, similar to what you would do for sprinklers under duct work.

They describe this as something like shelf or bin box storage. That means that I calculate 6 heads at 15 psi under the mezzanine, but don't balance to the overhead.

It's just a pain trying to get information.

Travis Mack
MFP Design, LLC

http://www.mfpdesign.com

"Follow" us at

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[stookeyfpe]

Travis:

It depends upon the parts and the packaging. I have two parts distribution warehouses which has uncartoned wheel wells, trunk liners, and large trim packages for bumbers and those are Uncartoned - Unexpanded Group A plastics. A rack full of AC compressors, alternators and water pumps in cartons is Class II. The last warehouse I did (last year) had about 90,000 square feet feet of 2 & 3 story mezzanines with bin boxes for hand picking. I went through the same exercise with the designers and finally landed on Class IV since it gave me a higher level of comfort - AND - I had ESFR at the roof deck because of the 80K square feet of rack motor oil storage.

I wouldn't feel uncomfortable with a Class III commodity classification but I would want to know the supplier. I've gains a great deal of information just surveying a company's on-line catalog.

 

[TravisMack]

The EOR came back that they will limit storage to 12' and he has classified the area as OH2. While I don't believe they will limit to 12' as they are building racking for 16', those above my pay grade have laid down and taken the liability of the classification. I have done as much as I could to get them to commit to a higher density. But, at the end of the day, it is the call of the PE that is the EOR for the project.

Travis Mack
MFP Design, LLC

http://www.mfpdesign.com

"Follow" us at

https://www.facebook.com/pages/MFP-Design-LLC/92218417692

 

[Sdpaddler50]

Class I is not correct.

I have called it plastic in the projects I dealt with.

 

[MatthewJWillis]

I guess my post should have read" I have done as low as Class I, but I knew what was being stored." Pretty much all metal parts..

Travis, I think you know exactly what you have here. Sounds like the decision makers have been down this density road before...
Glad you keep calling them out.

R/
Matt

 

[Sdpaddler50]

Matthew, if they are metal parts, like screws, washers, etc, then I can see Class I. But when I read "auto parts", I see plastics. However, I don't mean to second guess you on a project I had nothing to do with, so I retract my earlier statement.

Here is my concern in general - we live in a plastic world. When I started in this business almost 30 years ago it was not uncommon to find true, Class I-IV commodity classifications in a warehouse. In todays world it is rare. If you dig, you will often find plastics, and enough to justify an overall commodity classification to protect it as such.

I also think/hope NFPA and other groups are going to start looking at how FM now classifies plastics. There is often a lag for FM testing and protection criteria to reach NFPA, but much of it often finds it way in there eventually.

 

[MatthewJWillis]

No worries. Even the parts within the parts are plastic now or rubber.

I think these folks know that and are opting the $$$ savings route.
Had a developer tell me once, "There will be nothing that burns in the warehouse. So we just need the least expensive option."
His major client dealt with plastic (PVC) fittings...

R/
Matt