Rack Flue Protection Products
What are rack flue spaces?
A pallet rack flue spacer, like a fireplace flue, creates vertical space for fire, heat, and smoke to rise. It enables clear sight lines from floor to ceiling, aiding fire suppression. Proper spacing prevents blockages, ensuring efficient fire detection and suppression, reducing damage and loss.
Types of Flue Spaces
Longitudinal Flue space is the gap between back-to-back rows of pallet rack, essential for preventing blockage. Proper spacing prevents dislodged products from obstructing the flue.
Transverse Flue spaces are gaps between pallets and rack frames. Stacking pallets less than 6″ apart blocks this space. The rack frame requires 3” of open space on both sides to ensure proper flue clearance.
Fire Safety Regulations
Recent fire regulations, led by NFPA13 and FM Global, stress maintaining proper warehouse rack spacing for safety. 6” flue spaces in longitudinal and transverse directions offer key benefits:
- Minimized property loss with quick ESFR sprinkler activation
- Improved sprinkler water penetration to all inventory levels
- Faster smoke and heat vent system activation
- Enhanced safety for employees and firefighters
The updated NFPA13 Code mandates flue space maintenance, reflected in IBC2012. Local Fire Marshalls can enforce these regulations, including requiring pallet stops for separation.
Additionally, existing warehouses found in violation of the code may be ordered to retrofit their pallet racks with pallet stops to meet warehouse rack spacing requirements.
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