In short, there is no typical height restrictions for pallet racks, rather it is project-specific and tailored in conjunction with the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) which may include the Planning, Building, and Fire Departments of the locality where the project is being considered.
High-Piled Storage Restrictions
The main restrictions for pallet racks or any are:
- Government Laws & Regulations as adopted and enforced by the AHJ
- Operational Objectives & Requirements.
Government Laws
Codes & Regulations typically define and restrict the maximum storage height by the following parameters:
- Storage Location, Arrangement, and Sprinkler System Type; Chapter 12, Code 13, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 13)
- Commodity Classification of High-Piled Combustible Storage; Chapter 32, International Fire Code (IFC)
- Building Use and Occupancy Classification; Chapter 3, International Building Code (IBC)
- Building Size and Height; Chapter 5 (IBC)
- Building Type of Construction; Chapter 6 (IBC)
- Stacking and Securing Requirements; Section 1910.176, OSHA Regulations
- Clearance to Sprinkler Heads; 1910.159, OSHA Regulations
Operational
Business Objectives & Requirements are typically defined by the Owner/End-user, which may include:
- Loading Machinery (forklift or robotic)
- Speed of Storage Cycle (loading/unloading)
- Load Size
- Cost vs Benefit Tipping Point
