Landscape Support Warehouse- Establishing Commodity Classification & Design Criteria

[carlysle]

First off let me say that this forum has been an extremely useful tool for a young designer, there are several regular posters here who have a really good grasp on code interpretation and I hope one of you might be able to offer me some guidance.

I am in need of assistance in classifying commodities and establishing design criteria for the following scenario, I hope you can help me.

I am working on providing design services for a new development in Massachusetts. The building is going to be used for storage and has been classified as S-1, Moderate Hazard Storage by the architect. The structure is type II-B construction, 20,000 s/f and underside of deck is 27'-0 AFF. Storage will not exceed 12'-0 and will be on open racks in no particular arrangement as well as random piled storage under 12'-0.

Bulk paper will not be stored, but random paper, cardboard and landscape fabric will be present, unencapsulated. The structures main function is as a landscaping base of operations and will contain vehicles, snowblowers, lawn mowers and grounds keeping equipment all with gasoline in their tanks. There would also be misc. storage of furniture as well as electrical work-shop equipment. Flammable storage cabinet(s) would house the small amount of hazardous liquid (gasoline, kerosene,diesel) kept within the building. The estimate is 20-25 gallons in each type of storage cabinet.
If there is any advice/guidance to be offered, I would greatly appreciate it.

Much Respect to you all!

Jeremy

 

[stookeyfpe]

1) Explain landscape fabric. I am not familiar with the term. Is this a natural or synthetic fabric? If it's synthetic, what plastic polymer is used?
2) Does the landscaping company install yard irrigation systems using PVC pipe and fittings?

 

[SprinklerDesigner2]

The landscape fabric I have seen his A unexpanded exposed plastic.

 

[carlysle]

1) Gardener Landscape Fabric (22340/2235) 94%-Polypropylene Spunbond Nonwoven with a "Omopolymer" formula.
2) No

 

[LCREP]

I do not think NFPA 13 has protection criteria for nonwoven fabric, but FM does. Nasty stuff for sure, it will be the most demanding commodity for sure.

 

[carlysle]

Say we were able to eliminate the landscape fabric from the scenario, what then would you suggest the level of protection should be based on the previously mentioned commodity?

thank you all

 

[LCREP]

FM 8-23 ROLLED NONWOVEN FABRIC STORAGE


Unlikely they will not store landscape fabric it is part of every landscaper tools of the trade. Also no one will remember 6 months after they move in they can not have the fabric on site, plan for worse case.

I also question max 12' storage in a building that will be 27' high.....

 

[cdafd]

Guess the other question

Are they going to have mass quantities of the landscape fabric

Or a few and replenish as needed?

 

[carlysle]

Does it matter the amount of storage the fabric constitutes, there will never be a significant amount. Less than 10% for sure.

 

[LCREP]

NFPA 13 2013ed

Will storage meet this? Note max 1000 sq ft and separatation distances.

3.9.1.18* Miscellaneous Storage. Storage that does not exceed 12 ft (3.66 m) in height, is incidental to another occupancy use group, does not constitute more than 10 percent of the building area or 4000 ft2 (372 m2) of the sprinklered area, whichever is greater, does not exceed 1000 ft2 (93 m2) in one pile or area, and is separated from other storage areas by at least 25 ft (7.62 m)

 

[carlysle]

Yes, it most certainly will.

 

[LCREP]

OK see 13.1 Miscellaneous Storage Up to 12' for design criteria.