“Storage of combustible materials in closely packed piles or combustible materials on pallets, in racks or on shelves where the top of storage is greater than 12 feet in height.” When required by the fire code official, high-piled combustible storage also includes certain high-hazard commodities, such as rubber tires, Group A plastics, flammable liquids, idle pallets  and similar commodities, where the top of storage is greater than 6 feet in height.

A commodity is a combination of products, packing materials and containers. 

These are items made of wood, paper or natural fiber material, or Group C plastics, that are stored with or without pallets. As a general rule, Class III may contain around 5% of Group A or B plastics by weight or by volume.

Commodities are classified as Class I, Class II, Class III, Class IV or High Hazard Commodities.  Typically the higher the number class the higher the automatic sprinkler system requirements for Storage.

A: From the International Fire Codes Institute by writing to 5360 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, CA 90601, or by calling them at 800.423.6587. In addition, many local libraries carry past and/or current editions of the fire codes.

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