General Storage

General storage includes: Rack Storage, Shelf Storage, Bin Box Storage, Pallet Storage etc. 

Nearly all buildings have storage incidental to the primary use of the building. Such storage is usually small in area. Buildings where storage is not limited in size or includes high hazard commodities may require storage construction and use permits. Prior to placing palletized storage, constructing shelf, or rack storage arrays sometimes requires owners and operators to obtain permits. The information provided on this page is intended to help understand the City of Henderson's fire and building storage permit requirements. The building/facility owner/operator is advised to review and comply with the storage requirements found in the City's ordinances, adopted codes and standards.

Construction Permit:

A permit is required prior to installing storage racks, shelves, bin boxes or placing palletized floor storage arrays where the top of the storage exceeds the height stipulated in either the building code or the fire code. Use the permit decision tree to determine if a construction permit is required. If a construction permit is required it will either be a permit issued by both the building and fire safety divisions, a permit issued by the building division only, or a permit issued by the fire safety division only.

Operational/Renewable permit:

This is a fire safety division permit. It is required prior to using a building or portion thereof as a high-piled storage area exceeding 500 square feet.

Fire Code Definitions:

High-Piled Combustible Storage: Storage of combustible materials in closely packed piles or combustible materials on pallets, in racks or on shelves where the top of storage is greater than 12 feet (3658 mm) in height. When required by the fire code official, high-piled combustible storage also includes certain high-hazard commodities, such as rubber tires, Group A plastics, flammable liquids, idle pallets and similar commodities, where the top of storage is greater than 6 feet (1829 mm) in height. (NOTE: Higher sprinkler design densities are required by NFPA 13 in storage occupancies for Group A plastics stored higher than 5 feet (1.5 m).)

High-Piled Storage Area: An area within a building which is designated, intended, proposed or actually used for high-piled combustible storage.

2018 International Fire Code (IFC) Section 3201.3 as amended; Construction documents. At the time of building permit application for new structures designed to accommodate high-piled storage or for requesting a change of occupancy/use, and at the time of application for a storage permit, plans and specifications shall be submitted for review and approval. In addition to the information required by the International Building Code, the storage permit submittal shall include the information specified in this section. Following approval of the plans, a copy of the approved plans shall be maintained on the premises in an approved location. The plans shall include the following:

1. Floor plan of the building showing locations and dimensions of high-piled storage areas.
2. Usable storage height for each storage area.
3. Number of tiers within each rack, if applicable.
4. Commodity clearance between top of storage and the sprinkler deflector for each storage arrangement.
5. Aisle dimensions between storage array.
6. Maximum pile volume for each storage array.
7. Location and classification of commodities in accordance with IFC Section 3203.
8. Location of commodities which are banded or encapsulated.
9. Location of required fire department access doors and exit signs.
10. Type of fire suppression and fire detection systems.
    • For density/area fire sprinklers protecting the high-piled storage area, indicate the sprinkler identification number (SIN), the sprinkler k factor, square footage of the remote area, and the system design density. If the SIN is not available, a copy of the manufacturer specification sheet for the sprinkler head is required.
    • For specific application sprinklers, such as large-drop and ESFR sprinklers, protecting the high-piled storage area, indicate the sprinkler identification number (SIN), the sprinkler k factor, the number of sprinkler heads in the remote area, and the minimum residual pressure provided at the most hydraulically demanding sprinkler head. If the SIN is not available, a copy of the manufacturer specification sheet for the sprinkler head is required.
11. Location of valves controlling the water supply of ceiling and in-rack sprinklers..
12. Type, location, and specifications of smoke removal and curtain board systems.
13. Dimension and location of transverse and longitudinal flue spaces.
14. Additional information regarding design features, commodities, storage arrangement and fire protection features within the high-piled storage area shall be provided at the time of permit, when required by the fire code official.
15. Type of shelving material used, whether it is solid, slatted, or wire mesh.
16. Indicate path of travel for all storage areas to the exits.

If any of the terminology listed above is unfamiliar the service of a competent registered design professional (Professional Engineer, Fire Protection Contractor, etc.) should be retained to prepare a construction document submittal package.