High-Piled Storage Work Permit

If you have high-piled storage, we need to verify the fire protection system matches the storage arrangements.

• New buildings: Apply for a Fire Sprinkler Work Permit. Include the proposed storage arrangement.
• Existing buildings: Apply for a High-Piled Storage Work Permit.

Please contact fireprevention@cityofmadison.com with questions about how to apply.

After your permit application is approved, you will need to apply for a Special Hazard License. You will need to include a copy of the permit approval letter.

Application Requirements

You must address each of these items in your permit application materials. If you believe any of the items specified below are not required by the codes or do not apply to the facility, then identify those items including the applicable code references to substantiate that the items are not required.

Application requirements are based on IFC Chapter 32.

1. “Floor plan of the building showing locations and dimensions of high-piled storage areas."
   Explanation: The floor plan illustrates the location and array of the high-piled combustible storage areas and fire protection features within the facility. Floor plans must be drawn to scale, with dimensions shown. You may need more than one floor plan to show all storage-related information for the facility. Where applicable, the location of the following items must be shown on the floor plans:
   1. Areas open to the public.
   2. Fire department access doors.
   3. Fire department hose connections.
   4. Occupancy separations.
   5. Fire-resistance-rated fire barrier separations between different commodity classifications.
   6. All designated high-piled storage areas, and areas of different commodity classifications.
   7. Smoke and heat vents.
   8. Draft curtain system.
   9. Storage array: rack storage, shelf storage, solid-pile storage, bin box storage, palletized storage, and aisles.
   10. Square feet of facility and designated high-piled storage areas.
   11. Square feet of sprinkler system zones.
   12. Miscellaneous: truck docks, staging areas, and areas with different sprinkler system designs.
2. “Usable (maximum permitted) storage height for each storage area."
   Explanation: Elevation or section views drawn to scale, with dimensions shown, that show each different high-piled storage array and the high-piled storage area. These drawings must illustrate the building heights, storage heights, and the location of the commodity within the chosen array. Also, you can use section views to show the location of horizontal barriers, flue spaces, fire department hose connections, and rack storage sprinklers.
3. “Number of tiers within each rack, if applicable."
   Explanation: See the explanation provided in 2.
4. “Commodity clearance between top of storage and the ceiling or sprinkler deflector for each storage arrangement."
   Explanation: See the explanation provided in 2.
5. “Aisles with dimensions between each storage array."
   Explanation: Both the IFC and NFPA 13 have rules regarding aisle widths. The plans must clearly identify all aisles located in high-piled combustible storage areas.
6. “Maximum pile volume for each storage array."
   Explanation: When establishing the maximum pile volume, the term pile applies to all the different types of storage arrays. Typically, walls or aisles establish the boundary on the floor for a specific storage array. The maximum pile volume is determined by multiplying the length by the width by the height of the area used for storage. The IFC Table 3206.2 does limit the maximum pile volume.
7. “Location and classification of commodities in accordance with Section IFC 3203."
   Explanation: Each commodity stored in the high-piled storage area must be classified as specified in the IFC and the location of each commodity must be identified. When determining the classification of commodities, it is important to remember that the container or packaging materials surrounding the product and the pallet are included as part of the commodity.
   1. There are five commodity classifications specified in the IFC: Class I, Class II, Class III, Class IV, and high-hazard commodities. Unless the entire high-piled combustible storage area is designed for the highest hazard commodity, the location of all commodities must be evaluated and documented to ensure the fire protection features and storage array are in accordance with the IFC. Also, include a description and classification for types of plastic pallets used in the facility.
8. “Location of commodities, which are banded or encapsulated."
   Explanation: It is very important for all parties involved in this permitting process to know if the commodity is banded or encapsulated in plastic. This aspect of packaging will make a difference in the fire protection design for the designated area.
9. “Location of required fire department access doors."
   Explanation: Certain high-piled combustible storage facilities are required by the IFC to have additional outside doors provided for fire department access directly from the fire lane to the high-piled combustible storage area. Often, a shell building is constructed without anyone knowing how the building will be used, so no fire department access doors are provided at the time of construction. Part of the operational permit process is to verify that all required fire protection features are provided for the facility.
10. “Type of fire suppression and fire detection systems."
    Explanation: Provide a description of the types, operation and monitoring of the fire suppression systems and the fire detection system that has been provided in the high- piled combustible storage area. Provide the code references and Table numbers from the 2024 edition of NFPA 13, that were used to establish the design criteria for the fire sprinkler system, and sufficient information to determine the sprinkler system design matches the proposed hazard. (This may include complete hydraulic calculations, cut sheets and working plans of the automatic fire sprinkler system.)
11. “Location of valves controlling the water supply of ceiling and in-rack sprinklers."
    Explanation: Identify the locations and elevations of sprinkler system control valves on the floor plans and/or elevation plans.
12. “Type, location and specifications of smoke removal and draft curtain systems."
    Explanation: Identify the locations and dimensions of all smoke/heat vents and draft curtains on the floor plans. Additionally, submit manufacturer's cut sheets of the smoke/heat vents and specifications regarding the construction of the draft curtains.
13. “Dimension and location of transverse and longitudinal flue spaces."
    Explanation: Identify on the floor plans and the elevation plans the location and dimensions of each flue space.
14. “Additional information regarding required design features, commodities, storage arrangement and fire protection features within the high-piled storage area shall be provided."
    Explanation: The final catch-all area of the form is for providing any applicable information that may not have been included in the list above, or that may be useful to clarify or to show IFC compliance.