3201 General — 2025 California Fire Code

H igh-piled combustible storage shall be in accordance with this chapter. In addition to the requirements of this chapter, the following material-specific requirements shall apply:

1. Aerosols shall be in accordance with Chapter 51.
2. Flammable and combustible liquids shall be in accordance with Chapter 57.
3. Hazardous materials shall be in accordance with Chapter 50.
4. Storage of combustible paper records shall be in accordance with NFPA 13.
5. Storage of combustible fibers shall be in accordance with Chapter 37.
6. General storage of combustible material shall be in accordance with Chapter 3.

A permit shall be required as set forth in Sections 105.5 and 105.6.

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 California Building Code, the storage permit submittal shall include the information specified in this section. The construction documents shall include all of 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 each storage array.

6. Maximum pile volume for each storage array.

7. Location and classification of commodities in accordance with Section 3203.

8. Location of commodities that are banded or encapsulated.

9. Location of required fire department access doors.

10. Type of fire protection systems.

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 required design features, commodities, storage arrangement and fire protection features within the high-piled storage area shall be provided at the time of permit, where required by the fire code official.

3201.3.1 Approved construction documents. Following approval of the construction documents, a copy of the approved plans shall be maintained on the premises in an approved location.

3201.3.2 Approved storage layout. A floor plan, of legible size, shall be provided, mounted on a wall and protected from damage. The floor plan shall be mounted in an approved location and show the following:

1. Locations, dimensions and rack layout of high-piled storage areas.

2. Design storage height for each storage area.

3. Types of commodities.

4. Commodity clearance between top of storage and the sprinkler deflector for each storage arrangement.

5. Aisle dimensions between each storage array.

6. For palletized and solid-piled storage, the maximum pile volume for each storage array.

7. Location and classification of commodities in accordance with Section 3203.

8. Location of required fire department access doors.

9. Location of valves controlling the water supply of ceiling and in-rack sprinklers.

HIGH-PILED COMBUSTIBLE STORAGE

Where required by the Section 403, a fire safety and evacuation plan shall be submitted at the time of permit application for review and approval. A copy of the approved fire safety and evacuation plan shall be maintained on the premises in an approved location.