315 General Storage — 2025 California Fire Code

Storage shall be in accordance with Sections 315.2 through 315.6. Outdoor pallet storage shall be in accordance with Sections 315.2 and 315.7.

Exception: Wood and wood composite pallets stored outdoors at pallet manufacturing and recycling facilities and complying with Section 2810.

A permit for miscellaneous combustible storage shall be required as set forth in Section 105.5.

Storage of materials in buildings shall be orderly and stacks shall be stable. Storage of combustible materials shall be separated from heaters or heating devices by distance or shielding so that ignition cannot occur.

3-12 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

315.3.1 Ceiling clearance. Storage shall be maintained 2 feet (610 mm) or more below the ceiling in nonsprinklered areas of buildings or not less than 18 inches (457 mm) below sprinkler deflectors in sprinklered areas of buildings.

Exceptions:

1. The 2-foot (610 mm) ceiling clearance is not required for storage along walls in nonsprinklered areas of buildings.
2. The 18-inch (457 mm) ceiling clearance is not required for storage along walls in areas of buildings equipped with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, 903.3.1.2 or 903.3.1.3.

315.3.2 Means of egress. Combustible materials shall not be stored in exits or enclosures for stairways and ramps. Combustible materials in the means of egress during construction, demolition, remodeling or alterations shall comply with Section 3310.1.

315.3.3 Equipment rooms. Combustible material shall not be stored in boiler rooms, mechanical rooms, elevator machine rooms, electrical equipment rooms or in fire command centers as specified in Section 508.1.5.

315.3.4 Attic, under-floor and concealed spaces. Attic, under-floor and concealed spaces used for storage of combustible materials shall be protected on the storage side as required for 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction. Openings shall be protected by assemblies that are self-closing and are of noncombustible construction or solid wood core not less than 1 3/4 inches (44.5 mm) in thickness. Storage shall not be placed on exposed joists.

Exceptions:

1. Areas protected by approved automatic sprinkler systems.
2. Group R-3 and Group U occupancies.

Outside storage of combustible materials shall not be located within 10 feet (3048 mm) of a lot line.

Exceptions:

1. The separation distance is allowed to be reduced to 3 feet (914 mm) for storage not exceeding 6 feet (1829 mm) in height.
2. The separation distance is allowed to be reduced where the fire code official determines that hazard to the adjoining property does not exist.

315.4.1 Storage beneath overhead projections from buildings. Where buildings are protected by an automatic sprinkler system, the outdoor storage, display and handling of combustible materials under eaves, canopies or other projections or overhangs are prohibited except where automatic sprinklers are installed under such eaves, canopies or other projections or overhangs.

315.4.2 Height. Storage in the open shall not exceed 20 feet (6096 mm) in height.

Storage located underneath high-voltage transmission lines shall be in accordance with Section 316.6.2.

Storage is prohibited in plenums. Abandoned material in plenums shall be deemed to be storage and shall be removed. Where located in plenums, the portion of abandoned cables that are able to be accessed without causing damage, or requiring demolition to the building shall be identified for future use with a tag or shall be deemed storage and shall be removed.

Pallets stored outdoors shall comply with Sections 315.7 through 315.7.7. Pallets stored within a building shall be protected in accordance with Chapter 32.

315.7.1 Storage beneath overhead projections from buildings. Where buildings are equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system, the outdoor storage of pallets under eaves, canopies or other projections or overhangs are prohibited except where automatic sprinklers are installed under such eaves, canopies or other projections or overhangs.

315.7.2 Distance to lot line. Pallet storage shall not be located within 10 feet (3048 mm) of a lot line.

315.7.3 Storage height. Pallet storage shall not exceed 20 feet (6096 mm) in height.

315.7.4 Pallet pile stability and size. Pallet stacks shall be arranged to form stable piles. Individual pallet piles shall cover an area not greater than 400 square feet (37 m [2] ).

315.7.5 Pallet types. Pallets shall be all wood, with slatted or solid top or bottom, with metal fasteners, or shall be plastic or composite pallets, listed and labeled in accordance with UL 2335 or FM 4996. Plastic pallets shall be both solid and gridded deck, independent of the pallet manufacturing process, type of resin used in fabrication or geometry of the pallet.

315.7.6 Pile separation distances. In addition to the other requirements of this section, pallet stacks and piles shall be separated in accordance with Sections 315.7.6.1 and 315.7.6.2.

TABLE 315.7.6(1)—SEPARATION DISTANCE BETWEEN WOOD PALLET STACKS AND BUILDINGS

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

TABLE 315.7.6(1)—SEPARATION DISTANCE BETWEEN WOOD PALLET STACKS AND BUILDINGS—continued

TABLE 315.7.6(2)—SEPARATION DISTANCE BETWEEN PLASTIC PALLET STACKS AND BUILDINGS

315.7.6.1 Building separation. Pallet stacks and piles shall be separated from buildings in accordance with Table 315.7.6(1) for wood pallets and Table 315.7.6(2) for plastic pallets.

315.7.6.2 Separation from other pallets and on-site storage. Pallets shall be separated from other pallet piles and other storage in accordance with Table 315.7.6(3) for wood pallets and Table 315.7.6(4) for plastic pallets.

315.7.7 Prohibited locations. Pallets shall not be stored underneath high-voltage transmission lines, elevated roadways or elevated railways.