N.Y.C. Admin. Code § FC 3206: Section FC 3206: General Fire Protection and Life Safety Features

3206.1 General.

Fire protection and life safety features for high-piled storage areas shall be in accordance with this section.

3206.2 Extent and type of protection.

Where required by FC Table 3206.2, fire detection systems, smoke and heat removal, draft curtains and sprinkler design densities shall extend the lesser of 15 feet (4572 mm) beyond the high-piled storage area or to a permanent partition. Where portions of high-piled storage areas have different fire protection requirements because of commodity, method of storage or storage height, the fire protection features required by FC Table 3206.2 within this area shall be based on the most restrictive design requirements.

3206.3 Separation of high-piled storage areas.

High-piled storage areas shall be separated from other portions of the building where required by FC 3206.3.1 through 3206.3.2.2.

3206.3.1 Separation from other uses.

Mixed occupancies shall be separated in accordance with the construction codes, including the Building Code.

3206.3.2 Multiple high-piled storage areas.

Multiple high-piled storage areas shall be designed and installed in accordance with FC 3206.3.2.1 or 3206.3.2.2.

3206.3.2.1 Aggregate area.

The aggregate of all high-piled storage areas within a building shall be used for application of FC Table 3206.2 unless such areas are separated from each other by 1-hour fire-resistance-rated fire barrier walls constructed in accordance with the construction codes, including the Building Code. Openings in such walls shall be protected by opening protective assemblies having a 1-hour fire protection rating.

3206.3.2.2 Multiclass high-piled storage areas.

High-piled storage areas classified as Class I through Class IV not separated from high-piled storage areas classified as high hazard shall utilize the aggregate of all high-piled storage areas as high hazard for purposes of application of FC Table 3206.2. To be considered as separated, 1-hour fire-resistance-rated fire barrier walls shall be constructed in accordance with the construction codes, including the Building Code. Openings in such walls shall be protected by opening protective assemblies having a 1-hour fire protection rating.

Exception: As provided for in FC 3204.2.

FC Table 3206.2 General Fire Protection and Life Safety Requirements

Commodity Class

Size of High-Piled Storage Area

a

(square feet) (see FC 3206.2 and 3206.4)

All Storage Areas (See FC 3206, 3207 and 3208)

b

Solid-Piled Storage, Shelf Storage and Palletized Storage (see FC 3207.3)

Automatic fire- extinguishing system (see FC 3206.4)

Fire detection system (see FC 3206.5)

Building Access (see FC 3206.6)

Smoke and heat removal (see FC 3206.7)

Draft curtains (see FC 3206.7)

Maximum pile dimension

c

(feet)

Maximum permissible storage height

d

(feet)

Maximum pile volume (cubic feet)

I-IV

0 - 500

Not Required

a

Not Required

Not Required

e

Not Required

Not Required

Not Required

Not Required

Not Required

501 - 2,500

Not Required

a

Yes

i

Not Required

e

Not Required

Not Required

100

40

100,000

2,501 - 12,000 Public accessible

Yes

Not Required

Not Required

e

Not Required

Not Required

100

40

400,000

2,501 - 12,000 Nonpublic accessible (Option 1)

Yes

Not Required

Not Required

e

Not Required

Not Required

100

40

400,000

2,501 - 12,000 Nonpublic accessible (Option 2)

Not Required

a

Yes

Yes

Yes

j

Yes

j

100

30

f

200,000

12,001 - 20,000

Yes

Not Required

Yes

Yes

j

Not Required

100

40

400,000

20,001 - 500,000

Yes

Not Required

Yes

Yes

j

Not Required

100

40

400,000

Greater than 500,000

g

Yes

Not Required

Yes

Yes

j

Not Required

100

40

400,000

High hazard

0 - 500

Not Required

a

Not Required

Not Required

e

Not Required

Not Required

50

Not Required

Not Required

501 - 2,500 Public accessible

Yes

Not Required

Not Required

e

Not Required

Not Required

50

30

75,000

501 - 2,500 Nonpublic accessible (Option 1)

Yes

Not Required

Not Required

e

Not Required

Not Required

50

30

75,000

501 - 2,500 Nonpublic accessible (Option 2)

Not Required

a

Yes

Yes

Yes

j

Yes

j

50

20

50,000

2,501 - 300,000

Yes

Not Required

Yes

Yes

j

Not Required

50

30

75,000

300,001 - 500,000

g, h

Yes

Not Required

Yes

Yes

j

Not Required

50

30

75,000

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 cubic foot = 0.02832 m

3

, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m

2

.

a. When sprinkler systems are required for reasons other than those in FC Chapter 32, the portion of the sprinkler system protecting the high-piled storage area shall be designed and installed in accordance with FC 3207 and 3208.

b. For aisles, see FC 3206.9.

c. Piles shall be separated by aisles complying with the requirements of FC 3206.9.

d. For storage in excess of the height indicated, special fire protection shall be provided in accordance with Note g when required by the commissioner. See also FC Chapters 51 and 57 for special limitations for aerosols and flammable and combustible liquids.

e.

FC 503 shall apply for fire apparatus access.

f. For storage exceeding 30 feet in height, Option 1 shall be used.

g. Special fire protection provisions including fire protection of exposed steel columns; increased sprinkler density; additional in-rack sprinklers, without associated reductions in ceiling sprinkler density; or additional fire department hose connections shall be provided when required by the commissioner.

h. High-piled storage areas shall not exceed 500,000 square feet. A 2-hour fire wall constructed in accordance with the construction codes, including the Building Code shall be used to divide high-piled storage exceeding 500,000 square feet in area.

i. Not required when a fire extinguishing system is designed and installed to protect the high-piled storage area in accordance with FC 3207 and 3208.

j. Not required when storage areas are protected throughout by early suppression fast response (ESFR) sprinkler systems installed in accordance with NFPA 13, as modified by FC Appendix B.

3206.4 Sprinkler systems.

Sprinkler systems shall be provided in accordance with FC 3207, 3208 and 3209.

3206.5 Fire detection.

Where fire detection is required by FC Table 3206.2, an approved automatic fire detection system shall be installed throughout the high-piled storage area. The system shall be monitored and be in accordance with FC 907.

3206.6 Building access.

Where building access is required by FC Table 3206.2, fire apparatus access roads in accordance with FC 503 shall be provided within 150 feet (45 720 mm) of all portions of the exterior walls of buildings used for high-piled storage.

Exception: Where fire apparatus access roads cannot be installed because of topography, railways, waterways, non-negotiable grades or other similar conditions, the commissioner may require additional fire protection.

3206.6.1 Access doors.

Where building access is required by FC Table 3206.2, fire department access doors shall be provided in accordance with this section. Access doors shall be accessible without the use of a ladder.

3206.6.1.1 Number of doors required.

A minimum of one access door shall be provided in each 100 lineal feet (30 480 mm), or fraction thereof, of the exterior walls which face required fire apparatus access roads. The required access doors shall be distributed such that the lineal distance between adjacent access doors does not exceed 100 feet (30480 mm).

3206.6.1.2 Door size and type.

Access doors shall not be less than 3 feet (914 mm) in width and 6 feet 8 inches (2032 mm) in height. Roll-up doors shall not be used unless approved.

3206.6.1.3 Locking devices.

Only approved locking devices shall be used.

3206.7 Smoke and heat removal.

Where smoke and heat removal are required by FC Table 3206.2, smoke and heat vents shall be provided in accordance with the construction codes, including the Building Code. Where draft curtains are required by FC Table 3206.2, they shall be provided in accordance with the construction codes, including the Building Code.

3206.8 Fire department hose connections.

Where exit passageways are required by the construction codes, including the Building Code for egress, a Class I standpipe system shall be provided in accordance with the construction codes, including the Building Code.

3206.9 Aisles.

Aisles providing access to exits and fire department access doors shall be provided in high-piled storage areas exceeding 500 square feet (46 m

2

), in accordance with FC 3206.9.1 through 3206.9.3. Aisles separating storage piles or racks shall comply with the requirements of NFPA 13, as modified by FC Appendix B. Aisles shall also comply with the requirements of the construction codes, including the Building Code.

Exception: Where aisles are precluded by rack storage systems, alternate methods of access and protection are allowed when approved.

3206.9.1 Width.

Aisle width shall be in accordance with FC 3206.9.1.1 and 3206.9.1.2.

Exceptions:

1. Aisles crossing rack structures or storage piles, which are used only for employee access between aisles shall be a minimum of 24 inches (610 mm) wide.

2. Aisles separating shelves classified as shelf storage shall be a minimum of 30 inches (762 mm) wide.

3206.9.1.1 Sprinklered buildings.

Aisles in buildings protected throughout by a sprinkler system shall be a minimum of 44 inches (1118 mm) wide. Aisles shall be a minimum of 96 inches (2438 mm) wide in high-piled storage areas that exceed 2,500 square feet (232 m

2

) in area, and that are accessible to the public and designated to contain high-hazard commodities.

Exception: Aisles in high-piled storage areas exceeding 2,500 square feet (232 m

2

) in area, that are accessible to the public and designated to contain high-hazard commodities, and that are protected throughout by a sprinkler system designed for multiple-row racks of high-hazard commodities, shall be a minimum of 44 inches (1118 mm) wide. Aisles shall be a minimum of 96 inches (2438 mm) wide in areas accessible to the public where mechanical stocking methods are used.

3206.9.1.2 Nonsprinklered buildings.

Aisles in buildings not protected throughout by a sprinkler system shall be a minimum of 96 inches (2438 mm) wide.

3206.9.2 Clear height.

The required aisle width shall extend from floor to ceiling. Rack structural supports and catwalks are allowed to cross aisles at a minimum height of 6 feet 8 inches (2032 mm) above the finished floor level, provided that such supports do not interfere with fire department hose stream trajectory.

3206.9.3 Dead ends.

Dead-end aisles shall be in accordance with the construction codes, including the Building Code.

3206.10 Portable fire extinguishers.

Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided in accordance with FC 906.