SECTION 3.3  INDOOR STORAGE

Subsection 3.3.1.  Indoor Tire Storage

Application

3.3.1.1.  This Subsection applies to buildings used for the storage of tires in which the bulk volume of tires stored in one fire compartment exceeds 425 m³.

Tire pile dimensions

3.3.1.2.  A single pile of tires in a tire storage location shall occupy an area not greater than 500 m² with a maximum length of 30 m.

3.3.1.3.  (1)  The maximum piling height of tires shall not exceed the height used for the design of the fixed extinguishing system installed as required in Article 3.3.1.8.

(2)  The maximum piling height allowed in Sentence (1) shall be posted in conspicuous locations.

Pile clearance

3.3.1.4.  A clearance of at least 914 mm shall be maintained between the tops of piles and sprinkler head deflectors.

3.3.1.5.  Aisles between individual piles shall be at least 1.8 m wide.

3.3.1.6.  A clearance of at least 600 mm shall be maintained between piles of tires and columns and enclosing walls.

3.3.1.7.  A tire storage location shall be classified as a medium hazard industrial occupancy.

Warehouse fire extinguishing systems

3.3.1.8.  (1)  If the floor area of a tire storage location exceeds 250 m², the floor area shall be provided with a sprinkler system installed in accordance with NFPA 13, “Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems”.

(2)  The design of the sprinkler system required in Sentence (1) shall be based on the maximum piling height available.

3.3.1.9.  A standpipe and hose system shall be installed in conformance with NFPA 13, “Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems”.

Portable extinguishers

3.3.1.10.  (1)  In addition to the requirements of Section 6.2, multi-purpose dry chemical portable extinguishers having a rating of 4A:80B shall be installed

(a)   in every 500 m² of floor area, and
(b)   so that the distance travelled to any extinguisher does not exceed 25 m.

Subsection 3.3.2  Indoor General Storage

Application

3.3.2.1.  (1)  Subject to Sentences (2) and (3), this Subsection applies to the indoor general storage of combustible solids, noncombustible solids with combustible packaging or storage aids, including storage in bin boxes, shelves or racks.

(2)  This Subsection, except Article 3.3.2.6., does not apply to special hazard commodities covered elsewhere in this Code.

(3)  This Subsection does not apply to the bulk storage of unpackaged grain, coal or similar commodities.

Storage dimensions

3.3.2.2.  (1)  An individual storage area shall not exceed 500 m² in buildings that are not sprinklered.

(2)  An individual storage area shall not exceed 1000 m² in sprinklered buildings.

(3)  Heights of storage in buildings that are not sprinklered shall not exceed 4.5 m.

(4)  The maximum height of storage of any individual storage area shall be determined according to

(a)   the stability of the stored products as it relates to the base area and shape, and
(b)   the height limitations otherwise set in this Subsection.

    (5)  Buildings containing individual storage areas that exceed 6.4 m in height shall be protected with

(a)   a sprinkler system designed and installed in accordance with NFPA 13, “Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems”, or
(b)   a sprinkler system installed before January 1, 2015 that has been approved.

Pile clearance

3.3.2.3.  (1)  The clearance between sprinkler head deflectors and the top of any storage shall not be less than 457 mm.

(2)  Where the top of any storage is above the lower chords of floor or roof structural framing members, a horizontal clear space of at least 300 mm shall be maintained between the storage and the structural members.

Fire access aisles

3.3.2.4.  At least one main aisle having a width equal to at least half the height of the highest adjacent pile and extending the length of the structure shall be provided but in no case shall the width of the aisle be less than 2.4 m.

3.3.2.5.  Aisles separating individual storage areas described in Article 3.3.2.2. shall be at least 2.4 m wide.

3.3.2.6.  (1)  Adequate access for fire fighting purposes shall be provided and maintained to all portions of the premises, in conformance with Sentences (2) to (6).

(2)  Access aisles not less than 1.0 m wide shall be provided to exits, to fire department access panels and to fire protection equipment.

(3)  Aisles shall be maintained free of obstruction.

(4)  Except as permitted by Sentence (5), at least one main access aisle shall extend the length of the building with a minimum width of

(a)   2.4 m for storage heights not more than 6 m, and
(b)   3.6 m for storage heights of more than 6 m.

    (5)  Narrower aisles may be approved where the building is sprinklered and the sprinkler design is based on aisle widths less than required by Sentence (4) but in no case shall the aisle width be less than the aisle width on which the sprinkler design is based.

(6)  In storage areas that exceed 200 m², main access aisles referred to in Sentence (4) shall be accessible from at least two fire department access points, which shall be located such that, in the event one becomes unusable due to fire, the other will still allow emergency responders to access the building.

3.3.2.7.  Wall clearances of at least 600 mm shall be maintained where stored commodities may swell or expand with the absorption of water.

Palletized storage arrangements

3.3.2.8.  Palletized storage shall be arranged so that unobstructed horizontal channels formed by the top and bottom of pallets shall not exceed 15 m.

3.3.2.9.  Except as permitted in Article 3.3.2.10., pallets and dunnage not in use shall be stored outdoors and be located so as to avoid an exposure hazard.

Pallet storage

3.3.2.10.  (1)  Except as permitted in Sentences (2) and (3), combustible pallets shall be stored outdoors in conformance with Section 2.4.

(2)  Indoor storage of combustible pallets is permitted in a building that is not sprinklered, provided

(a)   the height of storage of combustible pallets is not more than 1.2 m,
(b)   the width of an individual storage area is not more than 7.5 m, and
(c)   the aggregate area of storage is not more than

(i)   100 m² for wood or solid deck non-expanded polyethylene pallets, or
(ii)   50 m² for plastic pallets not described in Subclause (i).

    (3)  In a sprinklered building, the storage of combustible pallets is permitted to exceed the values in Sentence (2) provided such storage conforms to NFPA 13, “Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems”.

Smoking prohibited

3.3.2.11.  Smoking shall not take place in indoor storage areas, except as provided in Subsection 2.4.3.

Subsection 3.3.3.  Indoor Storage of Ammonium Nitrate

Application

3.3.3.1.  (1)  This Subsection applies to the storage of ammonium nitrate in a pure form or in a mixture, if

(a)   the storage exceeds 1000 kg, and
(b)   the mixture contains 60% or more ammonium nitrate by weight.

    (2)  This Subsection does not apply to

(a)   blasting agents, or
(b)   ammonium nitrate and ammonium nitrate mixture storage on railways regulated by the Canadian Transport Commission.

Storage buildings

3.3.3.2.  (1)  A building used for the storage of ammonium nitrate shall not be more than 1 storey in building height.

(2)  A building used for the storage of ammonium nitrate shall not

(a)   have basements or crawl spaces, or
(b)   contain open floor drains, tunnels, elevator pits or other pockets which might trap molten ammonium nitrate.

    (3)  A building used for the storage of ammonium nitrate shall have not less than 70 cm² in vent area for each square metre of storage area unless mechanical ventilation is provided.

(4)  All flooring in storage areas shall be of noncombustible materials.

(5)  A building used for the bulk storage of ammonium nitrate shall be designed to prevent contact with building material that

(a)   will cause the ammonium nitrate to become unstable,
(b)   may corrode or deteriorate by reason of contact with the ammonium nitrate, or
(c)   will become impregnated by ammonium nitrate.

    (6)  The distance between an ammonium nitrate storage facility and the property line of another property shall be not less than

(a)   15 m where the other property contains a warehouse for flammable liquids storage or a facility for loading or unloading flammable liquids,
(b)   15 m where the other property contains a building classified as medium hazard industrial occupancy or low hazard industrial occupancy provided the ammonium nitrate storage facility does not exceed 200 t of ammonium nitrate
(c)   30 m where the other property contains a building classified as industrial occupancy not covered in Clause (b), flammable liquids storage tanks, flammable gas storage tanks or other tanks containing a hazardous substance, or
(d)   90 m for all other occupancies.

    (7)  The distance in Clause (6)(b) may be reduced to 7.5 m if a firewall that has a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 h is provided between the storage facility and the building it exposes.

(8)  The distance in Clause (6)(c) may be reduced to 15 m for a medium hazard industrial occupancy or a low hazard industrial occupancy if a firewall that has a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 h is provided between the storage facility and the building it exposes.

(9)  The use of buildings or structures that do not conform with the provisions of Sentences (6) to (8) may be approved where the buildings or structures do not constitute a hazard to life or property from fire or explosion.

(10)  Except where other forms of exposure protection are approved, the walls of the exposed side of a storage building shall be noncombustible where such walls are within 15 m of a

(a)   combustible building,
(b)   forest, or
(c)   pile of combustible material.

Industrial trucks

3.3.3.3.  (1)  In addition to the requirements of Section 3.4, industrial trucks used or stored within the building shall be maintained so that fuels or hydraulic fluids do not contaminate the ammonium nitrate.

(2)  Fuel-dispensing operations shall not be carried out in buildings where ammonium nitrate is stored.

(3)  An internal combustion engine shall be continuously monitored at all times in a building where ammonium nitrate is stored unless the engine is located in an area that will prevent the spread of a fire originating in the engine.

(4)  Industrial trucks used for the transportation of ammonium nitrate shall be cleaned of remaining material following use.

Portable extinguishers

3.3.3.4.  In addition to the requirements of Section 6.2, pressurized-water portable extinguishers having a rating of 2A or larger shall be installed.

Storage

3.3.3.5.  (1)  Individual storage areas of bagged ammonium nitrate shall not exceed 1500 m² in area and 9 m in height.

(2)  Bags of ammonium nitrate shall not be stored closer than 400 mm from walls and partitions and not closer than 900 mm from a roof, overhead supporting beam or a sprinkler head deflector.

(3)  Ammonium nitrate shall not be stored in an area where the ambient temperature is such that it can become unstable or susceptible to undesirable reactions.

(4)  Ammonium nitrate storage shall be identified by signs of contrasting colours indicating the contents with letters 50 mm high.

(5)  Bulk storage of ammonium nitrate shall be located indoors or in enclosed bin-type structures.

(6)  Bins used for the storage of ammonium nitrate shall not contain galvanized iron, copper, lead or zinc, or other materials that may contaminate or be corroded by ammonium nitrate.

Automatic sprinklers

3.3.3.6.  (1)  Ammonium nitrate shall be stored only in buildings equipped with an automatic sprinkler system installed in conformance with NFPA 13, “Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems”.

(2)  Sentence (1) does not apply where the existing situation is approved and does not endanger life safety or alternative measures to the requirements set out in Sentence (1) are taken to provide life safety.

Disposal

3.3.3.7.  (1)  Spilled ammonium nitrate material shall be disposed of in conformance with Sentences (2) to (5).

(2)  Uncontaminated material may be rebagged in suitable slip-over bags and sealed to prevent spillage.

(3)  Unsalvageable material shall be removed by sweeping and burial.

(4)  After flushing and scrubbing contaminated areas very thoroughly to dissolve all material, the residue shall be washed away with hoses.

(5)  Empty bags shall be disposed of by burning outdoors where permitted in a safe area, or by burial.

Explosives prohibited

3.3.3.8.  Explosives shall not be used to break up caked ammonium nitrate.

Smoking and open flames prohibited

3.3.3.9.  (1)  Smoking shall not take place and open flames shall not be used in buildings used for the storage of ammonium nitrate.

(2)  Signs with letters 50 mm high indicating that ammonium nitrate is being stored and that smoking is not permitted shall be prominently displayed near each entrance on the exterior of buildings identified in Sentence (1).

Heating equipment

3.3.3.10.  Heating equipment shall be separated from any storage area in conformance with the requirements of the Building Code.

Subsection 3.3.4.  Indoor Storage of Combustible Fibres

Application

3.3.4.1.  This Subsection applies to the indoor storage of combustible fibres.

Building size for storage and handling of combustible fibres

3.3.4.2.  Buildings used for the storage and handling of combustible fibres shall comply with the height and area limitations of the Building Code for medium hazard industrial occupancies.

Loose fibre storage

3.3.4.3.  (1)  Up to 3 m³ of loose combustible fibres may be stored in a single fire compartment if they are kept in metal-lined bins equipped with self-closing metal-lined covers.

(2)  Quantities of loose combustible fibres exceeding 3 m³ but not exceeding 15 m³ shall be stored in rooms separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation that has a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h.

(3)  Quantities of loose combustible fibres exceeding 15 m³ but not exceeding 30 m³ shall be stored in rooms separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation that has a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 h.

(4)  Quantities of loose combustible fibres that exceed 30 m³ shall be stored in an individual room

(a)   that is sprinklered in accordance with NFPA 13, “Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems”, and
(b)   that is separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 h.

    (5)  Quantities of loose combustible fibres stored in an individual room referred to in Sentence (4) shall be arranged so that an individual pile does not exceed 250 m² in area and is separated from other piles by aisles that are at least 2.4 m wide.

(6)  Clause (4)(a) does not apply to a sprinkler system that met the requirements of this Code on December 31, 2014, as it read on that day.

Baled fibre storage

3.3.4.4.  (1)  Baled combustible fibres shall be stored so that

(a)   a single pile will not contain more than 700 m³,
(b)   the maximum height of any single pile will not exceed 4.5 m,
(c)   piles are separated by aisles not less than 1.5 m wide, and
(d)   the clearance between piles and building walls is not less than 1 m.

Baled storage piles

3.3.4.5.  The sides of baled storage piles shall be inclined back from the base of the pile with a slope of not less than 1 m for each 10 m of height.

Clearance for sprinklers and structural framing

3.3.4.6.  (1)  The clearance between sprinkler head deflectors and the tops of storage piles shall not be less than 457 mm.

(2)  If the storage piles are above the lower chords of floor or roof structural framing members, a horizontal clear space of 300 mm shall be maintained between the storage and the structural members.

Heating equipment

3.3.4.7.  (1)  Unless controlled in a manner that will not create a fire or explosion hazard, fuel-fired appliances and electrical heating elements shall not be used in a storage area for combustible fibres.

(2)  Shields shall be provided that will prevent stored material from coming within 300 mm of any part of a heating system heat distribution network.

Standpipe and hose system installations

3.3.4.8.  Standpipe and hose systems shall be installed in accordance with the Building Code.

Portable extinguishers

3.3.4.9.  Portable extinguishers shall be provided in accordance with Section 6.2.

Smoke vents

3.3.4.10.  If combustible fibres are stored in a building, automatic smoke venting hatches that are manually operable from remote locations and have a combined opening area of 64 cm² for each square metre of floor area shall be provided.

Subsection 3.3.5.  Indoor Storage of Matches

Classification, labelling and packaging

3.3.5.1.  Matches shall be classified, packaged and labelled in accordance with the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act (Canada).

Storage compartment

3.3.5.2.  If the aggregate volume of piles of stored matches exceeds 3 m³, storage compartments shall be constructed in accordance with the requirements of the Building Code for high hazard industrial occupancies.

Carton pile arrangements

3.3.5.3.  In a storage area with an aggregate volume of piles of stored matches that exceeds 3 m³, shipping cartons containing matches shall be arranged in piles not exceeding 3 m in height or 40 m³ in volume, with each pile separated by aisles at least 2.4 m wide.

Mixed storage

3.3.5.4.  In mixed storage areas, matches shall be stored in a specific area separated from the remainder of the storage by a clear space of at least 2.4 m.

Storage restrictions

3.3.5.5.  Matches shall not be stored within 3 m of any elevator shaft opening, stairway or other vertical opening.