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Chapter 32 — HIGH-PILED COMBUSTIBLE STORAGE

Section 3206 — GENERAL FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY FEATURES

2025 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-29 · California

Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.

3206.1 General.

Fire protection and life safety features for high-piled storage areas shall be in accordance with Sections 3206.2 through 3206.11.

3206.2 Type of protection.

Where required by Table 3206.2, fire detection systems, smoke and heat removal and automatic sprinkler design densities shall be provided to protect the high-piled storage area.

TABLE 3206.2—GENERAL FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

COMMODITY
CLASS		 SIZE OF HIGH-
PILED
STORAGE
AREAa
(square feet)
(see Sections
3206.2 and
3206.3)		 ALL STORAGE AREAS
(see Sections 3206, 3207 and 3208)b		 ALL STORAGE AREAS
(see Sections 3206, 3207 and 3208)b		 ALL STORAGE AREAS
(see Sections 3206, 3207 and 3208)b		 ALL STORAGE AREAS
(see Sections 3206, 3207 and 3208)b		 SOLID-PILED STORAGE,
SHELF STORAGE AND PALLETIZED STORAGE
(see Section 3207.3)		 SOLID-PILED STORAGE,
SHELF STORAGE AND PALLETIZED STORAGE
(see Section 3207.3)		 SOLID-PILED STORAGE,
SHELF STORAGE AND PALLETIZED STORAGE
(see Section 3207.3)
COMMODITY
CLASS		 SIZE OF HIGH-
PILED
STORAGE
AREAa
(square feet)
(see Sections
3206.2 and
3206.3)		 Automatic fire-
extinguishing
system
(see Section
3206.4)		 Fire detection
system
(see Section
3206.5)		 Fire
department
access doors
(see Section
3206.7)		 Smoke and
heat
removal
(see Section
3206.8)		 Maximum pile
dimensionc
(feet)		 Maximum
permissible
storage heightd
(feet)		 Maximum pile
volume
(cubic feet)
I–IV 0–500 Not
Requireda		 Not Required Not Required Not Required Not Required Not Required Not Required
I–IV 501–2,500 Not
Requireda		 Yesg Not Required Not Required 120 40 100,000
I–IV 2,501–12,000
Open to the
public		 Yes Not Required Not Required Not Required 120 40 400,000
I–IV—
contifnued		 2,501–12,000
Not open to
the public
(Option 1)		 Yes Not Required Not Required Not Required 120 40 400,000
I–IV—
contifnued		 2,501–12,000
Not open to
the public
(Option 2)		 Not
Requireda		 Yes Yes Yesh, i 120 30e 200,000
I–IV—
contifnued		 12,001–
500,000		 Yes Not Required Yes Yesh, i 120 40 400,000
I–IV—
contifnued		 Greater than
500,000f		 Yes Not Required Yes Yesh, i 120 40 400,000

32-14 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

HIGH-PILED COMBUSTIBLE STORAGE

TABLE 3206.2—GENERAL FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS—continued

COMMODITY
CLASS		 SIZE OF HIGH-
PILED
STORAGE
AREAa
(square feet)
(see Sections
3206.2 and
3206.3)		 ALL STORAGE AREAS
(see Sections 3206, 3207 and 3208)b		 ALL STORAGE AREAS
(see Sections 3206, 3207 and 3208)b		 ALL STORAGE AREAS
(see Sections 3206, 3207 and 3208)b		 ALL STORAGE AREAS
(see Sections 3206, 3207 and 3208)b		 SOLID-PILED STORAGE,
SHELF STORAGE AND PALLETIZED STORAGE
(see Section 3207.3)		 SOLID-PILED STORAGE,
SHELF STORAGE AND PALLETIZED STORAGE
(see Section 3207.3)		 SOLID-PILED STORAGE,
SHELF STORAGE AND PALLETIZED STORAGE
(see Section 3207.3)
COMMODITY
CLASS		 SIZE OF HIGH-
PILED
STORAGE
AREAa
(square feet)
(see Sections
3206.2 and
3206.3)		 Automatic fire-
extinguishing
system
(see Section
3206.4)		 Fire detection
system
(see Section
3206.5)		 Fire
department
access doors
(see Section
3206.7)		 Smoke and
heat
removal
(see Section
3206.8)		 Maximum pile
dimensionc
(feet)		 Maximum
permissible
storage heightd
(feet)		 Maximum pile
volume
(cubic feet)
High hazard 0–500 Not
Requireda		 Not Required Not Required Not Required 60 Not Required Not Required
High hazard 501–2,500
Open to the
public		 Yes Not Required Not Required Not Required 60 30 75,000
High hazard 501–2,500
Not open to
the public
(Option 1)		 Yes Not Required Not Required Not Required 60 30 75,000
High hazard 501–2,500
Not open to
the public
(Option 2)		 Not
Requireda		 Yesg Yes Yesh, i 60 20 50,000
High hazard 2,501–300,000 Yes Not Required Yes Yesh, i 60 30 75,000
High hazard Greater than
300,000f		 Yes Not Required Yes Yesh, i 60 30 75,000

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 cubic foot = 0.02832 m3, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2.
a. Where automatic sprinklers are required for reasons other than those in Chapter 32, the portion of the sprinkler system protecting the high-piled storage
area shall be designed and installed in accordance with Sections 3207 and 3208.
b. For aisles, see Section 3206.10.
c. Piles shall be separated by aisles complying with Section 3206.10.
d. For storage in excess of the height indicated, special fire protection shall be provided in accordance with Note f where required by the fire code official.
See Chapters 51 and 57 for special limitations for aerosols and flammable and combustible liquids, respectively.
e. For storage exceeding 30 feet in height, Option 1 shall be used.
f.
Special fire protection provisions including, but not limited to, fire protection of exposed steel columns; increased sprinkler density; additional in-rack
sprinklers, without associated reductions in ceiling sprinkler density; or fire department hose connections shall be provided where required by the fire code
official.
g. Not required where an automatic fire-extinguishing system is designed and installed to protect the high-piled storage area in accordance with Sections
3207 and 3208.
h. Not required where storage areas_with an exit access travel distance of 250 feet (76 200 mm) or less are protected by either early suppression fast response
(ESFR) sprinkler systems or control mode special application sprinklers with a response time index of 50 (meters-seconds)1/2 or less that are listed to control
a fire in the stored commodities with 12 or fewer sprinklers, installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1._
i.
Not required in frozen food warehouses used solely for storage of Class I and II commodities where protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system.

3206.2.1 Extent of protection. The fire safety features required in Table 3206.2 shall extend to the lesser of 15 feet (4572 mm) beyond the high-piled storage area or a full height wall. 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 Table 3206.2 within this area shall be based on the most restrictive design requirements.

3206.3 High-piled storage areas.

For the application of Table 3206.2, the size of the high-piled storage areas shall be determined in accordance with Sections 3206.3.1 through 3206.3.2.1.

3206.3.1 Size of high-piled storage area. The size of each high-piled storage area shall include the footprint of the actual highpiled storage racks, shelves or piles and the following aisles:

  1. Interior aisles within the footprint of the storage area.
  2. An aisle around the perimeter of the footprint with a minimum width as required in Section 3206.10.1 or the dimension to a full height wall, whichever is less.

3206.3.2 Multiple high-piled storage areas. Where a building contains multiple high-piled storage areas, the aggregate of all high-piled storage areas shall be used for the application of Table 3206.2 unless the high-piled storage areas are separated in accordance with one of the following:

  1. High-piled storage areas separated by fire barriers with a minimum fire-resistance-rating of 1 hour constructed in accordance with Section 707 of the California Building Code .
  2. In buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, high-piled storage areas separated by 100 feet (30 480 mm) or more. The area providing the separation shall not contain high-piled combustible storage.

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

HIGH-PILED COMBUSTIBLE STORAGE

3206.3.2.1 Multiple class high-piled storage areas. High-piled storage areas classified as Class I through 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 the purposes of the application of Table 3206.2. Multiple class high-piled storage areas meeting the separation requirements in Section 3206.3.2 shall be considered as separated. The fire safety features in Table 3206.2 shall be extended beyond the higher-hazard storage area in accordance with Section 3206.2.1.

Exception: Multiple class high-piled storage areas do not need to be separated where in accordance with Section 3204.2.

3206.4 Automatic sprinklers.

Automatic sprinkler systems shall be provided in accordance with Sections 3207, 3208 and 3209.

3206.4.1 Pallets. Automatic sprinkler system requirements based on the presence of pallets shall be in accordance with NFPA 13.

3206.4.1.1 Plastic pallets. Plastic pallets listed and labeled in accordance with FM 4996 or UL 2335 shall be treated as wood pallets for determining required sprinkler protection.

3206.5 Fire detection.

Where fire detection is required by 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 Section 907.

3206.6 Building access.

Fire apparatus access roads in accordance with Section 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, nonnegotiable grades or other similar conditions, the fire code official is authorized to require additional fire protection.

3206.7 Fire department access doors.

Where fire department access doors are required by Table 3206.2, fire department access doors shall be provided in accordance Sections 3206.7.1 through 3206.7.8.

3206.7.1 Exterior walls without fire department access doors. Fire department access doors are not required in an exterior wall that does not face a fire apparatus access road provided that all of the following conditions occur:

  1. The opposite exterior wall faces a fire apparatus access road.
  2. The opposite exterior wall is provided with fire department access doors.
  3. The entire interior surface of the exterior wall is less than 150 feet (45 720 mm) away from a fire department access door.
  4. The building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.

3206.7.2 Where located. Where exterior walls surrounding high-piled storage areas face fire apparatus access roads, such walls shall be provided with fire department access doors.

3206.7.3 Access to doors. Fire department access doors shall be able to be accessed without the use of a ladder.

3206.7.4 Marking on fire department access doors. Fire department access doors shall be labeled on the exterior side with the following sign or other approved sign:

FIRE DEPARTMENT ACCESS DOOR

DO NOT BLOCK

The lettering shall be in a contrasting color to the background. Letters shall have a minimum height of 2 inches (51 mm) with a minimum stroke of [3] / 8 inch (10 mm).

3206.7.5 Number of doors required. The required fire department access doors shall be distributed such that the lineal distance between adjacent fire department access doors does not exceed 125 feet (38 100 mm) measured center to center.

Exception: The linear distance between adjacent access doors shall not exceed 200 feet (60 960 mm) in existing buildings where change in occupancy is not proposed.

3206.7.6 Door size and type. Fire department access doors shall be not less than 3 feet (914 mm) in width and 6 feet 8 inches (2032 mm) in height. Roll-up doors shall not be considered fire department access doors unless approved.

3206.7.7 Locking devices. Locking devices on fire department access doors shall be approved.

3206.7.8 Key box. Where fire department access doors are required, a key box shall be installed in accordance with Section 506.1. The key box shall contain keys or devices to allow for entry through the fire department access doors.

3206.8 Smoke and heat removal.

Where smoke and heat removal is required by Table 3206.2 it shall be provided in accordance with Section 910.

3206.9 Fire department hose connections.

Where exit passageways are required by the California Building Code for egress, a Class I standpipe system shall be provided in accordance with Section 905.

3206.10 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 Sections 3206.10.1 through 3206.10.3. Aisles separating storage piles or racks shall comply with NFPA 13. Aisles shall comply with Chapter 10.

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

3206.10.1 Width. Aisle width shall be in accordance with Sections 3206.10.1.1 and 3206.10.1.2.

Exceptions:

  1. Aisles crossing rack structures or storage piles, that are used only for employee access, shall be not less than 24 inches (610 mm) wide.

32-16 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

HIGH-PILED COMBUSTIBLE STORAGE

  1. Aisles separating shelves classified as shelf storage shall be not less than 30 inches (762 mm) wide.

3206.10.1.1 Sprinklered buildings. Aisles in sprinklered buildings shall be not less than 44 inches (1118 mm) wide. Aisles shall be not less than 96 inches (2438 mm) wide in high-piled storage areas exceeding 2,500 square feet (232 m [2] ) in area, that are open to the public and designated to contain high-hazard commodities.

Aisles shall be not less than 96 inches (2438 mm) wide in areas open to the public where mechanical stocking methods are used.

Exceptions:

  1. Aisles in high-piled storage areas exceeding 2,500 square feet (232 m [2] ) in area, that are open to the public and designated to contain high-hazard commodities, and that are protected by an automatic sprinkler system designed for multiple-row racks of high-hazard commodities, shall be not less than 44 inches (1118 mm) wide.
  2. Aisles that are in high-piled storage areas exceeding 2,500 square feet (232 m [2] ) in area, not open to the public and protected by an automatic sprinkler system designed for multiple-row racks, shall be not less than 24 inches (610 mm) wide.

3206.10.1.2 Nonsprinklered buildings. Aisles in nonsprinklered buildings shall be not less than 96 inches (2438 mm) wide.

3206.10.2 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.

3206.10.3 Dead-end aisles. Dead-end aisles shall not exceed 20 feet (6096 mm) in length in Group M occupancies. Dead-end aisles shall not exceed 50 feet (15 240 mm) in length in all other occupancies.

Exception: Dead-end aisles are not limited where the length of the dead-end aisle is less than 2.5 times the least width of the dead-end aisle.

3206.11 Portable fire extinguishers.

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

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▸ Contents — 2025 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9)
2025 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9)
  1. Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION
  2. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
  3. Chapter 3 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
  4. Chapter 4 — EMERGENCY PLANNING AND PREPAREDNESS
  5. Chapter 5 — FIRE SERVICE FEATURES
  6. Chapter 6 — BUILDING SERVICES AND SYSTEMS
  7. Chapter 7 — FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
  8. Chapter 8 — INTERIOR FINISH, DECORATIVE MATERIALS AND FURNISHI…
  9. Chapter 9 — FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS
  10. Chapter 10 — MEANS OF EGRESS
  11. Chapter 11 — CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS
  12. Chapter 12 — ENERGY SYSTEMS
  13. Chapter 20 — AVIATION FACILITIES
  14. Chapter 21 — DRY CLEANING
  15. Chapter 22 — COMBUSTIBLE DUST-PRODUCING OPERATIONS
  16. Chapter 23 — MOTOR FUEL-DISPENSING FACILITIES AND REPAIR GARAGES
  17. Chapter 24 — FLAMMABLE FINISHES
  18. Chapter 25 — FRUIT AND CROP RIPENING
  19. Chapter 26 — FUMIGATION AND INSECTICIDAL FOGGING
  20. Chapter 27 — SEMICONDUCTOR FABRICATION FACILITIES
  21. Chapter 28 — LUMBER YARDS AND AGRO-INDUSTRIAL, SOLID BIOMASS A…
  22. Chapter 29 — MANUFACTURE OF ORGANIC COATINGS
  23. Chapter 30 — INDUSTRIAL OVENS
  24. Chapter 31 — TENTS, TEMPORARY SPECIAL EVENT STRUCTURES AND OTH…
  25. ▸ Chapter 32 — HIGH-PILED COMBUSTIBLE STORAGE
    Overview
    1. Section 3201 — GENERAL
    2. Section 3202 — DEFINITIONS
    3. Section 3203 — COMMODITY CLASSIFICATION
    4. Section 3204 — DESIGNATION OF HIGH-PILED STORAGE AREAS
    5. Section 3205 — HOUSEKEEPING AND MAINTENANCE
    6. Section 3206 — GENERAL FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY FEATURES
    7. Section 3207 — SOLID-PILED AND SHELF STORAGE
    8. Section 3208 — RACK STORAGE
    9. Section 3209 — AUTOMATED STORAGE
    10. Section 3210 — SPECIALTY STORAGE
  26. Chapter 33 — FIRE SAFETY DURING CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION
  27. Chapter 34 — TIRE REBUILDING AND TIRE STORAGE
  28. Chapter 35 — WELDING AND OTHER HOT WORK
  29. Chapter 36 — MARINAS
  30. Chapter 37 — COMBUSTIBLE FIBERS
  31. Chapter 38 — RESERVED
  32. Chapter 39 — PROCESSING AND EXTRACTION FACILITIES
  33. Chapter 40 — STORAGE OF DISTILLED SPIRITS AND WINES
  34. Chapter 41 — TEMPORARY HEATING AND COOKING OPERATIONS
  35. Chapter 48 — MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION STUDIO S…
  36. Chapter 49 — REQUIREMENTS FOR WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE FIRE AR…
  37. Chapter 50 — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS—GENERAL PROVISIONS
  38. Chapter 51 — AEROSOLS
  39. Chapter 52 — RESERVED
  40. Chapter 53 — COMPRESSED GASES
  41. Chapter 54 — CORROSIVE MATERIALS
  42. Chapter 55 — CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
  43. Chapter 56 — EXPLOSIVES AND FIREWORKS
  44. Chapter 57 — FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS
  45. Chapter 58 — FLAMMABLE GASES AND FLAMMABLE CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
  46. Chapter 59 — FLAMMABLE SOLIDS
  47. Chapter 60 — HIGHLY TOXIC AND TOXIC MATERIALS
  48. Chapter 61 — LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES
  49. Chapter 62 — ORGANIC PEROXIDES
  50. Chapter 63 — OXIDIZERS, OXIDIZING GASES AND OXIDIZING CRYOGENI…
  51. Chapter 64 — PYROPHORIC MATERIALS
  52. Chapter 65 — PYROXYLIN (CELLULOSE NITRATE) PLASTICS
  53. Chapter 66 — UNSTABLE (REACTIVE) MATERIALS
  54. Chapter 67 — WATER-REACTIVE SOLIDS AND LIQUIDS
  55. Chapter 80 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  56. Appendix Chapter 4 — SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON US…
  57. Appendix A — BOARD OF APPEALS
  58. Appendix B — FIRE-FLOW REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDINGS
  59. Appendix BB — FIRE-FLOW REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDINGS
  60. Appendix C — FIRE HYDRANT LOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION
  61. Appendix CC — FIRE HYDRANT LOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION
  62. Appendix D — FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS
  63. Appendix E — HAZARD CATEGORIES
  64. Appendix F — HAZARD RANKING
  65. Appendix G — CRYOGENIC FLUIDS—WEIGHT AND VOLUME EQUIVALENTS
  66. Appendix H — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT PLANS AND HAZARDOU…
  67. Appendix I — FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS—NONCOMPLIANT CONDITIONS
  68. Appendix J — BUILDING INFORMATION SIGN
  69. Appendix K — CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING AMBULATORY…
  70. Appendix L — REQUIREMENTS FOR FIREFIGHTER AIR REPLENISHMENT SY…
  71. Appendix M — HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS—RETROACTIVE AUTOMATIC SPRINKL…
  72. Appendix N — INDOOR TRADE SHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS
  73. Appendix O — VALET TRASH AND RECYCLING COLLECTION IN GROUP R-2…
  74. Appendix P — TEMPORARY HAUNTED HOUSES, GHOST WALKS AND SIMILAR…
  75. Appendix Q — COMMUNITY WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE (WUI) FIRE HAZ…

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