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Chapter 32 — HIGH-PILED COMBUSTIBLE STORAGE

Section 3208 — RACK STORAGE

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.

3208.1 General.

Rack storage shall be in accordance with Section 3206 and this section. Bin boxes exceeding 5 feet (1524 mm) in any dimension shall be regulated as rack storage.

3208.1.1 Storage racks. The design and installation of storage racks shall be in accordance with the California Building Code .

3208.2 Fire protection.

Where automatic sprinklers are required by Table 3206.2, an approved automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout the building or to 1-hour fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 of the California Building Code . Openings in such fire barriers shall be protected by opening protectives having a 1-hour fire protection rating. The design and installation of the automatic sprinkler system and other applicable fire protection shall be in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 and the California Building Code .

3208.2.1 Plastic shelves. Storage on plastic shelves shall be protected by approved specially engineered fire protection systems. 3208.2.2 Racks with solid shelving. Racks with solid shelving having an area greater than 20 square feet (1.9 m [2] ), measured between approved flue spaces at all four edges of the shelf, shall be in accordance with this section.

Exceptions:

  1. Racks with mesh, grated, slatted or similar shelves having uniform openings not more than 6 inches (152 mm) apart, comprising not less than 50 percent of the overall shelf area, and with approved flue spaces are allowed to be treated as racks without solid shelves.

  2. Racks used for the storage of combustible paper records, with solid shelving, shall be in accordance with NFPA 13.

3208.2.2.1 Fire protection. Fire protection for racks with solid shelving shall be in accordance with NFPA 13.

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

HIGH-PILED COMBUSTIBLE STORAGE

3208.3 Flue spaces.

Rack storage areas protected with an automatic sprinkler system shall be provided with flue spaces in accordance with Table 3208.3. The space taken up by rack uprights that is not obstructed by commodities or solid shelving is allowed to be included in the transverse flue space measurement. Required flue spaces shall be maintained.

TABLE 3208.3—REQUIRED FLUE SPACES FOR RACK STORAGE

RACK
CONFIGURATION		 FLUE DESIGN FLUE DESIGN AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER PROTECTION AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER PROTECTION AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER PROTECTION
RACK
CONFIGURATION		 FLUE DESIGN FLUE DESIGN Sprinklers at the ceiling with or
without minimum in-rack sprinklers		 Sprinklers at the ceiling with or
without minimum in-rack sprinklers		 In-rack sprinklers
at every tier
RACK
CONFIGURATION		 FLUE DESIGN FLUE DESIGN Storage
height ≤ 25 feet		 Storage
height > 25 feet		 Any height
Single-row rack Transverse
flue space		 Sizeb 3 inches 3 inches Not required
Single-row rack Transverse
flue space		 Vertically aligned Not required Yes Not required
Single-row rack Longitudinal flue space Longitudinal flue space Not required Not required Not required
Double-row rack
(Option 1)		 Transverse
flue space		 Sizeb 6 inchesa 3 inches Not required
Double-row rack
(Option 1)		 Transverse
flue space		 Vertically aligned Not required Yes Not required
Double-row rack
(Option 1)		 Longitudinal flue space Longitudinal flue space Not required 6 inches Not required
Double-row rack
(Option 2)		 Transverse
flue space		 Sizeb 3 inches 6 inches Not required
Double-row rack
(Option 2)		 Transverse
flue space		 Vertically aligned Not required Yes Not required
Double-row rack
(Option 2)		 Longitudinal flue space Longitudinal flue space 6 inches Not required Not required
Multiple-row rack Transverse
flue space		 Sizeb 6 inches 6 inches Not required
Multiple-row rack Transverse
flue space		 Vertically aligned Not required Yes Not required
Multiple-row rack Longitudinal flue space Longitudinal flue space Not required Not required Not required
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
a. Three-inch transverse flue spaces shall be provided not less than every 10 feet where ESFR sprinkler protection is provided.
b. Random variations are allowed, provided that the configuration does not obstruct water penetration.

3208.3.1 Flue space protection. Flue spaces required by Table 3208.3 above the first tier of storage in single-, double- or multiple-row rack storage installations shall, where required by the fire code official, be equipped with approved protection devices. Such devices shall not be removed or modified.

3208.4 Column protection.

Steel building columns shall be protected in accordance with NFPA 13.

3208.5 Extra-high-rack storage systems.

Approval of the fire code official shall be obtained prior to installing extra-high-rack combustible storage.

3208.5.1 Fire protection. Buildings with extra-high-rack combustible storage shall be protected with a specially engineered automatic sprinkler system. Extra-high-rack combustible storage shall be provided with additional special fire protection, such as separation from other buildings and additional built-in fire protection features and fire department access, where required by the fire code official.

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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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