Way back in the early 1990’s I learned a valuable lesson the “hard way,” and to this day, facility siting means something altogether different than how most view it. Those that work with me know I hate having combustibles such as empty pallets around chemical processes, especially flammable processes. But even non-flammable processes, such as NH3 and Cl2, are at severe risks when we allow combustibles to be stored in their proximity. I am happy to say that after years of discussion, the 2018 IFC now addresses storage of pallets (both wooded and plastic as BOTH are combustible”). At least it made it into the code, now we have to enforce it, but now 3rd party auditors have something we can use to drive process safety and fire safety excellence. The code does not specifically prohibit it, but requires any business where there is an excess of 2,500 cubic feet (71 m3) gross volume of combustible empty packing cases, boxes, barrels or similar containers, combustible pallets, rubber tires, rubber, cork or similar combustible material must obtain an “operational permit” for their AHJ. This requirement has been on the books for years, but in 2018 they added “combustible pallets” to the language.
105.6.29 Miscellaneous combustible storage. An operational permit is required to store in any building or on any premises in excess of 2,500 cubic feet (71 m3) gross volume of combustible empty packing cases, boxes, barrels or similar containers, combustible pallets, rubber tires, rubber, cork or similar combustible material.
So for all of you panicking that this will shut you down, you can rest easy, as this is a LOT of pallets, 378 of the traditional wooden pallets to be exact.