Los Angeles Municipal Code § 57.315 General Storage

Section 315 of the CFC is hereby adopted in its entirety with the following exceptions, modifications, and additions.

Every building used for storing combustibles shall be divided into storage piles within single storage areas by providing main aisles and side aisles.

EXCEPTION: Storage piles within a single storage area of 5,000 square feet or less may be divided by side aisles, provided no storage pile is greater than 15,000 cubic feet.

There shall be no materials stored within a storage pile more than 50 feet from a main aisle and not more than 15 feet from a side aisle; and further, any storage pile over 50 feet in length shall be bordered on at least two sides by main aisles. Any storage pile shall be limited to a maximum length of 100 feet.

Height limitations shall comply with Sections 57.315.3.7.1 through 57.315.3.7.3.

Storage shelving or racks more than 5 feet 9 inches in height shall be designed and constructed in accordance with Chapter 9 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (Building Code) and the requirements of this article.

The height of piles of materials, tiers of shelving, or racks shall be maintained in ratio to the width of the aisles. With minimum main or side aisle width, the height shall not exceed 15 feet. When the height is increased, the main and side aisles shall be increased in width 3 inches for each foot of increased height.

Wood pallets and/or non-expanded polyethylene solid deck pallets shall be stored no higher than 6 feet. Each pallet pile (four individual stacks of pallets) shall be separated from other pallet piles by a minimum distance of 8 feet and from the storage of other commodities by 25 feet.

Clearance from exposures shall comply with Sections 57.315.3.8.1 through 57.315.3.8.4.

A clearance of at least 18 inches shall be maintained between stored materials and lighting fixtures.

An unobstructed clearance of at least 2 feet shall be maintained between stored materials, which may swell or expand with the absorption of water, and building walls.

Materials which are particularly susceptible to water damage shall be stored on skids, dunnage, pallets, or elevated platforms, maintaining at least 4 inches of clearance from the floor.

Stored materials shall be arranged so as to allow drainage of floor areas through floor drains or wall scuppers.

Motorized material-handling equipment shall be of a type designed for use in accordance with the hazards of the location in which it is used in compliance with NFPA 505. It shall be serviced, repaired, and stored in other than single storage areas.

An area used for non-storage activities shall be separated from the storage area by a minimum distance of 10 feet when non-storage activities include repairing of crates, boxes, and containers and repacking operations.

Aisle maintenance shall conform to the following:

1. Aisles and entrances shall be kept free of storage and equipment not being handled or operated.

2. Storage piling and blocking shall be maintained to prevent materials from accidentally falling into aisles or clearance areas.

3. Stored materials shall not be piled so as to create overhanging or bridging of main aisles or side aisles.

4. Hazardous refuse shall be removed from aisles and properly stored or disposed of in accordance with Section 304 of the CFC.

Storage area prohibitions shall comply with Sections 57.315.3.12.1 through 57.315.3.12.6.

The use of a building roof for the storing, processing, producing, packing, or packaging of any type of materials is prohibited.

EXCEPTION: Buildings which have been specifically planned and constructed in accordance with Chapter 9 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (Building Code) to utilize roof areas for such purposes.

The storing or keeping of any combustible merchandise, materials, or equipment in any subfloor area, attic, boiler room, mechanical room, heating equipment room, water heater closet or electrical panel room in a manner which would create or constitute a fire hazard is prohibited.

There shall be no enclosed usable space under stairways in an exit enclosure (enclosed stair shafts serving three or more stories), nor shall the open space under such stairways be used for any purpose.

EXCEPTION: Space under exterior stairways and interior stairways shall not be used for any purpose except when the usable space under stairs is enclosed and walls and soffits are protected on the enclosed side as required for one-hour fire-resistive construction in accordance with Chapter 9 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (Building Code).

The placing or arranging of any combustible materials in any single storage area in a manner which may cause or contribute to spontaneous heating of the material is prohibited.

The placing or arranging together in any single storage area of materials having incompatible characteristics is prohibited.

The storage of combustible material in basements shall be prohibited except in those basements which are protected by an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Chapter 9 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (Plumbing Code). Such material shall not be stored in a manner which creates a fire hazard.

All yards required by Chapter 9 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (Building Code) shall be maintained unoccupied and unobstructed by the storage of combustible materials.

Single storage areas shall be regulated as follows:

1. Areas shall be separated from property lines, streets, alleys, or public way by side aisles.

2. Areas shall be separated from other single storage areas by an access driveway.

3. Single storage areas shall be divided into storage piles by means of access driveways, main aisles, and side aisles.

4. Each single storage area shall have access to a public street and the width of such access shall not be less than 20 feet.

5. Storage piles within single storage areas shall be not more than 1,500 square feet in ground area.

6. All storage piles shall be within 150 feet of travel to access driveways.

7. Storage piles shall be within 65 feet of a main aisle.

8. Storage piles shall be a minimum of 15 feet from openings in buildings.

9. Main aisles shall be accessible to access driveways.

10. Storage piles shall be a minimum of 15 feet from buildings having exterior walls of less than two- hour fire-resistive construction.

Stored material shall be arranged to facilitate and promote drainage away from such stored materials and buildings.

Maintenance and housekeeping in outside storage areas shall conform to the following:

1. Material-handling equipment shall be serviced, repaired, and stored in non-storage areas.

2. No person shall smoke, throw or deposit any lighted or smoldering substance in any place where “NO SMOKING” signs are posted or in any other place where smoking would occasion or constitute a fire hazard. The owner or operator or person in charge or control shall be responsible for the control of smoking. Areas shall be designated where smoking is permitted and equipped with receptacles for smoking refuse. “NO SMOKING” and “SMOKING PERMITTED” signs shall be posted where appropriate.

   3. Aisles, driveways, and entrances shall be kept free of storage and equipment not being handled or operated.

   4. Stored or piled materials shall be maintained in such a manner as to prevent displacement into aisles or adjacent areas.

   5. Stored materials shall not be piled so as to create overhanging or bridging of driveways, main aisles or side aisles.