NFPA 13 Standard Compliance

The innovations in effort to maximize storage systems have been met with a growing complexity in fire and building code. With the rise in high density systems being implemented in logistics centers across the country, both international and local jurisdictions consider these evolving systems to develop increasingly stringent requirements in order to minimize and prevent fire hazards. Such requirements include major changes to the National Fire Protection Association’s Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems or NFPA 13. NFPA 13 provides standards for sprinkler protection of high piled storage, which most high-volume storage facilities adhere to. NFPA  13 also sets parameters for storage configurations such as storage height and pallet spacing.

 A common approach to increasing storage density in a warehouse is to implement a multi-row rack storage system. Automha’s Pallet Runner system, which is a semi-automated deep lane storage system, delivers an efficient and straightforward solution to high density storage systems while seamlessly adapting to new changes in the NFPA and IFC (International Fire Code).  The 2022 Edition of NFPA 13 conveyed new requirements for multi-row rack storage, such as requiring that multi-row rack storage over 25 feet in depth be equipped with in-rack sprinklers unless a 6” flue space is provided on every side of a pallet (2022 NFPA 13 Section 20.5.3.1.3.1). Other multi-row systems such as push-back or drive-in rack either cannot provide longitudinal flue spaces while loading or demand consistency from the lift operators to load pallets while maintaining the correct flue spaces.

Automha’s Pallet Runner System is designed to program the pallet runner cart with flue spaces in mind, customizing the desired pallet spacing to comply with any jurisdiction. The pallet runner cart is also capable of loading different sized pallets while consistently providing programmed pallet spacing. The pallet runner cart can be reprogrammed at any time, allowing for the user to maintain compliance with updates in local or national code, avoiding the need to retrain operators or alter the racking system.

Automha semi and fully automated storage systems avoid the need for costly sprinkler systems.