NFPA 13 18 inch rule for sprinklers in a walk in freezer

[tl1000]

Any help would be great on an on going issue with how we store items in our walk in freezers. Yes they are equipped with sprinklers, but the items on the shelves against the wall are piled up to the top of the walk in box. Is there an NFPA standard that any body knows of that 1. Clarifies the 18 in rule in a walk in freezer. 2 Is there an occupancy standard that defines the walk in box so that we can apply the 18 inch rule. The walk in box is about 24 ft in length and 10 ft wide 8ft high. I know there is an Nfpa 13 standard that allows against the wall storage to break the 18 inch plain, but it does not specify if it holds true in a walk in box. Any help would be great.
I understand the general rule and intent behind the 18 inch rule but some type of more direct clarification is needed. I also live in the state of Maryland. Thanks in advance.

 

[cdafd]

Same principle applies in all rooms

Some people though will not accept anything closer than 18 inches

To me it is just like having a wall there

 

[cdafd]

this from the appendix, so not really there, but
from nfpa 13 2010 edition

A.8.6.6 The 18 in. (457 mm) dimension is not intended to limit the height of shelving on a wall or shelving against a wall in accordance with 8.6.6, 8.7.6, 8.8.6, and Section 8.9. Where shelving is installed on a wall and is not directly below sprinklers, the shelves, including storage thereon, can extend above the level of a plane located 18 in. (457 mm) below ceiling sprinkler deflectors. Shelving, and any storage thereon, directly below the sprinklers cannot extend above a plane located 18 in. (457 mm) below the ceiling sprinkler deflectors.

 

[NJ1]

18" clearance means 18" clearance no matter the application, occupancy, height, color, time of the day, geographical location, etc for a standard head.

If you are using an ESFR head then it changes to 36"

 

[pipesnpumps]

I agree with cdafd, treat it just like storage against a wall..

I've had people miss the 18" rule with tall shelving (not fixed stacks). One of the solutions was to build a wall down each aisle, and run the sprinklers down the middle. Which is really kind of silly since there should be no reason for a wall as long as you have a sprinkler on the other side of the shelf covering that floor area. Such is the nature of meeting the standard literally, which we have to do since only one one person in each branch of the DoD is deemed the AHJ, all the inspectors and reviewers are powerless pretend AHJs..

Well in your case you have a solid wall and the other side of the wall is either sprinklered or concealed space. Same principle.

I just got the NFSA layout book and it is pretty outstanding for explaining things like this if you don't have it already it's well worth the money. I wish I had known about it 2 yrs ago when I started. Ken is a great writer.

Real world knowledge doesn't fall out of the sky on a parachute, but rather is gained in small increments during moments of panic or curiosity.