High-Piled Storage Permitting

High-Piled Storage permitting requires expertise.  We have invested a great deal to become experts.  We are here to guide you when you need it.

Regardless of the jurisdiction, a high-piled storage permit is required as directed by the adopted building and fire codes.  The permit involves both a building permit as well as an operational permit. The building permit is regulated by the building department, and the operational permit is regulated by the fire marshal's office.

The 2018 International Fire Code defines high-piled combustible storage as "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 in height. Where 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 in height."

Therefore, to obtain a high-piled storage permit, the follow must be considered:

• Storage Commodity - Class I-IV, Group A plastic, Rubber Tires, High-Hazard, or some combination.
• Storage Configuration- Floor Piled, Rack Storage, Automated Storage, or some combination.
• Fire Sprinkler System - Is the overhead system enough, or will in-rack sprinklers be needed?
• Storage Area- Total high-piled storage area, maximum ceiling height, and sprinkler clearance.
• Fire Department Access - Is apparatus access required?  Aerial apparatus access?  Firefighter access doors?
• Fire Detection System - Is a fire detection system required?
• Smoke and Heat Removal - Are smoke and heat vents required?
• Fire Hydrants - Is there a sufficient number of fire hydrants?
• Egress Lighting - Do your egress aisles meet the one foot-candle requirement?

After these items are determined, the following process is required:

• File a building permit application with the building department for plans review.
• Develop and submit plans for review.
• Complete any work that may be needed.
• Call for final inspections.
• Purchase operational permits.

Although this process seems simple on paper, one mistake can derail the entire project, and high-piled storage mistakes can create costs with four to five zeros on the end. Our specialty is that we can do one or all of these tasks.  Therefore, if you only need assistance classifying a commodity, then we can do that, or if you need us to do the entire project, then we can do that too.  Call us today to get help.