Building Codes Now Rack Up Issues Nationwide
By Sal Fateen
| The provisions of the building code shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and demolition of every building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings or structures.” |
| — International Building Code |
More States Adopt Fire Code
Officials in Ohio, Delaware, Wisconsin, Massachusetts and Florida, as well as those in many large cities, are beginning to enforce the solid shelving issues outlined in the 2002 edition of NFPA 13 from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). A March 2005 memo from the Fire Protection International Consortium states that “transverse flue spaces are required at rack uprights and in the center of the rack (approximately 5-foot intervals). If the flue is not there, then the rack is considered solid shelving. This means that the size of the shelf can only be 20 square feet.”
The Consortium believes that NFPA wants to enforce the longitudinal flue in the back-to-back racking, because without it they would consider the arrangement solid shelving. The use of punch deck or wire material without a flue would be greater than 20 square feet and this could be considered solid shelving. To achieve the 20 square feet with standard racking arranged back-to-back, a transverse flue would need to be provided every 2.3 feet. In standard 10 foot rack, there would have to be three or more flues.
According to the Consortium, sprinkler contractors around the country are pushing the 2002 edition on clients and the fire department. They see it as the ticket to install more sprinklers. As 2005 progresses, more states and cities will go to the 2002 edition. |
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When the Rack Manufacturers Institute had its rack specifications adopted by American National Standards Institute, the stage was set for racks and other material handling products to be noticed and hence monitored by the building officials, by requiring permits for the installation of these products and structures.
Material handling products got national notoriety when home stores and super stores, open to the public, started populating all major cities in the United States. Tall racks, tall shelving, mezzanines, movable shelving, etc., became subject to review by the municipality that has jurisdiction for the location.
With the introduction of the IBC 2000 (International Building Code) as the nationally recognized code to replace the previous regional codes, “earthquake” or “seismic” concerns were no longer focused only on the western United States. Awareness is now nationwide.
Responsibility
The building codes hold the owner of the building responsible for obtaining the required permits. However, for storage racks and other material handling products, the owner of these products is ultimately responsible. In our industry, the material handling supplier typically ends up with the permitting chore on behalf of their customer. Unfortunately, filing an application form and paying the necessary fees are not the only requirements for a building permit.
A building permit is an official document issued by a building department authorizing the performance of a specified activity. Generally that applies to storage racks and tall shelving, as will be discussed here. Permitted products also include mezzanines, conveyor supports, carousels, tanks, fences, etc. Any item that is not specifically excluded from the building code may require a permit, if the building official deems it necessary.
Obtaining a Permit
The owner of the equipment to be permitted is responsible for supplying the following:
- A commodities letter (UFC-Article 81) indicating what product is being stored, how it is being stored, if it is encapsulated or not, and what its classification is.
- All fees required by the city, such as plan check and permit fees, fire department fees, city business licenses, etc.
- A detailed site plan/plot plan, a drawing showing the building on the lot and the streets around it, fully dimensioned. This is only required by some cities.
- Total valuation of the project. How much is the completed project worth? Be sure to include the cost of material, labor and any additional costs.
- Contractor/installer information, including name, license number, Workers' Compensation insurance, city business license and a letter from the owner authorizing the applicant to apply for the permit.
- Layout drawings of the building, showing all exit doors, the equipment being permitted and aisles around them, and the distance to all exits.
Upon installation of the racks or other material handling equipment, the city inspector is invited to conduct the final inspection, where he verifies anchoring and other items shown in order to verify compliance with the approved plans.
Problems that May Arise
Below are some issues that could delay final approval of an installation, depending on the city and the inspector that is responsible for the final sign-off.
- The racks are too close to a slab construction joint. The concern is that the rack down force may cause the slab joints to separate.
- The racks are too close to the building wall. All structures tend to move due to wind and earthquakes. When the building moves, it could impact the racks.
- The racks are too close to the building column. Damage can occur to either structure from the other's movement.
- The flue space is not large enough for the product overhang. Product overhang can diminish the flue space, which affects the performance of the sprinklers.
- Some racks are blocking exit doors. Egress distance in buildings usually assumes the building empty. Any obstructions that could hinder exiting from the building will have to be removed.
- There are dead-end aisles greater than 20 feet. If fire occurs in one aisle, there must be an alternate way to exit from that aisle. The limit of 20 feet allows people to escape prior to the fire consuming the aisle.
- Some anchors are installed at a slant. Because of the location of the holes in the base plate, sometimes the bracing of the frame may force the anchors to be installed at a slant. Fifteen degrees is the maximum accepted by most manufacturers.
- Some anchors are not seated all the way. If the installer does not replace his drilling bit often enough, some holes may be too tight and the anchors may not get seated. Care should be used in drilling the holes.
- Racks require column protectors. The code asks for protection against moving equipment. Some municipalities are not aware of that, but it is a safety precaution.
Be aware that these items may come up. Discuss these items with someone experienced with the city where the installation will occur and advise the end-user of these possible issues. The worst thing for a promised turnkey solution is that the city does not sign off on your project because of items beyond your control
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