Chapter 28 — LUMBER YARDS AND AGRO-INDUSTRIAL,

SOLID BIOMASS AND WOODWORKING FACILITIES

(Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user.

See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)

• The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 19, Division 1 provisions that are found in the California Fire Code are a reprint from the current CCR, Title

19, Division 1 text for the code user’s convenience only. The scope, applicability and appeals procedures of CCR, Title 19, Division I remain the same.

Copyright © 2022 by, or licensed to, International Code Council, Inc. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED); licensed to California Building Standards Commission pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions is authorized. Any unauthorized reproduction or distribution is a violation of the federal copyright act and the license agreement, and subject to civil and criminal penalties thereunder.

28-2 2022 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

Copyright © 2022 by, or licensed to, International Code Council, Inc. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED); licensed to California Building Standards Commission pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions is authorized. Any unauthorized reproduction or distribution is a violation of the federal copyright act and the license agreement, and subject to civil and criminal penalties thereunder.

CHAPTER 28

LUMBER YARDS AND AGRO-INDUSTRIAL, SOLID BIOMASS AND

WOODWORKING FACILITIES

User note:

About this chapter: Chapter 28 provides requirements that are intended to prevent fires and explosions, facilitate fire control and reduce exposures to and from facilities storing, selling or processing wood and forest products, including sawdust, wood chips, shavings, bark mulch, shorts, finished planks, sheets, posts, poles, timber and raw logs and the hazard they represent once ignited. Also included are solid biomass feedstock and raw products associated with agro-industrial facilities and the outdoor storage of pallets at pallet manufacturing and recycling facilities. This chapter requires active and passive fire protection features to reduce on- and off-site exposures, limit fire size and development and facilitate fire fighting by employees and the fire service.

hogged materials, fines, compost, solid biomass feedstock and raw product produced from yard waste, debris and agroindustrial and recycling facilities shall comply with Sections 2808.2 through 2808.10.

ground, elevated soil lifts or other all-weather surface. Sites shall be thoroughly cleaned before transferring wood products to the site.

in height, 150 feet (45 720 mm) in width and 250 feet (76 200 mm) in length. Stackable products shall not be stacked in excess of 25 feet (7620 mm) in height, 80 feet (24 384 mm) in width and 250 feet (76 200 mm) in length.

2808.3.1 Increase in pile or stack size. Piles or stackable products are permitted to be increased beyond the dimensions in Section 2808.3 provided that a written fire protection plan is approved by the fire code official. The fire protection plan shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. Contact information for after-hours response by facility personnel.
2. Storage yard areas and material-handling equipment selection, pile design and arrangement shall be based on sound safety and fire protection principles.
3. Fire apparatus access roads around the piles or stacks and access roads to the top of piles, if applicable, shall be established, identified and maintained.
4. The potential for spontaneous heating shall be evaluated and provisions made to control the temperature of the piles. Methods for monitoring the internal temperature of the pile shall be provided.
5. Routine yard inspections shall be conducted by trained personnel.
6. A means for early fire detection and reporting to the public fire department shall be provided.
7. Facilities and equipment needed by the fire department for fire extinguishment shall be provided, including a water supply in compliance with Section 507 and heavy equipment necessary to move material.
8. A de-inventory plan shall be utilized to remove alternating piles or stacked products in a manner to increase the separation distances between the remaining piles or stacks.

Copyright © 2022 by, or licensed to, International Code Council, Inc. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED); licensed to California Building Standards Commission pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions is authorized. Any unauthorized reproduction or distribution is a violation of the federal copyright act and the license agreement, and subject to civil and criminal penalties thereunder.

LUMBER YARDS AND AGRO-INDUSTRIAL, SOLID BIOMASS AND WOODWORKING FACILITIES

surrounded with an approved fence. Fences shall be not less than 6 feet (1829 mm) in height.

Exceptions:

1. Lumber piles inside of buildings and production mills for lumber, plywood and veneer.

2. Solid biofuel piles inside of buildings and agroindustrial processing facilities for solid biomass feedstock.

system or portable fire-extinguishing equipment suitable for the fire hazard involved shall be provided for open storage yards. Hydrant and hose systems shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 24. Portable fire extinguishers complying with Section 906 shall be located so that the distance of travel from the nearest unit does not exceed 75 feet (22 860 mm).