Fire sprinkler systems for lumber yards and building material sales facilities in Washington State
Lumber yards and building material suppliers span retail showroom, enclosed covered storage, and outdoor open yard — each zone analyzed differently under IBC and NFPA 13. A plain-English guide to occupancy classification splits, in-rack vs. solid pile storage triggers, NFPA 30B aerosol compliance, flammable liquid MAQ analysis, and Pierce County AHJ routing.
Occupancy classification: a lumber yard is not a single occupancy
Fire protection requirements for a lumber yard or building material supplier depend almost entirely on which zone of the facility you are analyzing. A typical Pierce County lumber yard or building supply operation spans three physically distinct zones, each with a separate IBC occupancy classification and separate NFPA 13 hazard requirements:
- Retail showroom and indoor sales floor: IBC Group M (Mercantile). The indoor area where customers select hardware, tools, fasteners, dimensional lumber cut to order, and packaged goods. Threshold: 12,000 square feet of fire area triggers mandatory sprinklers under IBC Section 903.2.7.
- Enclosed covered lumber storage warehouse or shed: IBC Group S-1 (Storage — Moderate Hazard). Enclosed structures where bulk dimensional lumber, engineered wood products (LVL, PSL, LSL), plywood, OSB, and structural panels are stored in pallet racking or solid pile stacks. Threshold: any enclosed building exceeding 12,000 square feet triggers sprinklers, but NFPA 13 hazard classification may be Extra Hazard Group 1 (EH1) or Extra Hazard Group 2 (EH2) for high-rack or solid pile combustible storage, which drives the water demand higher than the trigger threshold alone implies.
- Open outdoor storage yard: Generally not regulated by IBC for building fire protection. Uncovered open-air lumber piles and outdoor storage are governed by IFC Chapter 3 (fire lane access, pile separation distances, and fire department access) rather than by the building sprinkler requirements. The outdoor yard perimeter may require fire department access lanes per IFC Section 503 and pile configuration requirements per IFC Section 315, but there is no IBC mandate for a sprinkler system covering open outdoor storage.
The most important compliance question for building material facility planning is identifying which zones are enclosed vs. covered-and-open vs. fully open — because the fire protection requirements are fundamentally different.
The covered lumber shed: open structure vs. enclosed building
Many Pacific Northwest lumber yards use covered storage sheds to protect lumber from Washington's rain while keeping the structure as open as possible to reduce construction cost and fire protection requirements. Whether a covered shed qualifies as an "open structure" or must be treated as an enclosed building is the key determination.
IBC Section 406.5 open-structure determination. A structure qualifies as an open structure (and therefore avoids IBC building classification and mandatory sprinkler requirements) when a minimum percentage of the exterior wall area on each side is permanently open to the exterior. The specific percentage required varies by code cycle and AHJ interpretation, but a common threshold is 25% or more of the exterior wall area on any given side being permanently open (not closeable by doors, roll-up panels, or seasonal curtains).
- Fully open-sided shed (roof only, no perimeter walls): Almost always qualifies as an open structure. No building permit typically required beyond the structural permit for the roof. No NFPA 13 sprinkler requirement for the open-sided covered storage area.
- Three-sided shed (three walls, one side fully open): May qualify depending on open-side area relative to building volume and AHJ interpretation. Consult the AHJ at pre-application.
- Enclosed shed with roll-up doors (perimeter walls with freight doors): The presence of closeable doors on all sides means the structure can be sealed — the AHJ may treat it as an enclosed building requiring Group S-1 fire protection compliance, especially when the doors are fire-rated or designed to close automatically.
When a covered shed is on the borderline, the Pierce County AHJ makes the open-structure determination at the pre-application conference based on the actual geometry and proposed door/curtain configuration. Request this determination early — it has major implications for the project budget.
Group M (showroom) and Group S-1 (storage) combined: IBC Section 508 aggregate fire area
Most lumber yard facilities physically connect the retail showroom and the covered storage warehouse — customers walk from the showroom into the warehouse to select lumber, or a covered loading dock connects both zones. When two separately-classified occupancies share a fire area (wall openings, open connections, or a single continuous structure), IBC Section 508 governs.
Send the floor plan or notice. We'll tell you what you need by the end of the day.
Under IBC Section 508.3 (non-separated occupancies), the entire combined floor area is analyzed against the most restrictive sprinkler threshold of all the occupancies present. For a building containing Group M (retail showroom) and Group S-1 (enclosed lumber storage):
- Group M threshold: 12,000 square feet (IBC Section 903.2.7)
- Group S-1 threshold: 12,000 square feet (IBC Section 903.2.11)
If the combined Group M + Group S-1 fire area exceeds 12,000 square feet, sprinklers are required throughout the entire combined fire area — even if neither zone individually exceeded 12,000 square feet.
In practice, most established Pierce County lumber yards exceed 12,000 square feet of combined retail and enclosed storage. For smaller specialty lumber dealers or building material boutiques, the 12,000-square-foot threshold is worth confirming at the pre-application conference before assuming sprinklers are not required.
NFPA 13 hazard classification by zone
The sprinkler trigger and the sprinkler design are different questions. Triggering the sprinkler requirement under IBC determines that a system is required; NFPA 13 hazard classification determines what the system must be capable of delivering. For lumber yards and building material facilities, hazard classification is the variable that most often drives cost above initial estimates.
| Zone | Hazard Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Retail showroom — tools, hardware, fasteners | Ordinary Hazard Group 1 (OH1) | Low combustible loading, standard merchandise |
| Retail showroom — paint, stain, varnish, aerosol products | Ordinary Hazard Group 1 to Group 2 (OH1–OH2) | Depends on quantity and product classification; see aerosol section |
| Indoor dimensional lumber display (cut-to-order) | OH1 | Moderate fuel load; solid wood at retail-display height |
| Enclosed lumber storage — pallet-racked above 12 ft | Chapter 17 in-rack analysis or ESFR alternative | In-rack heads required; see rack storage section |
| Enclosed lumber storage — solid pile above 6 ft | Extra Hazard Group 1 (EH1) minimum | Combustible solid pile above 6 ft triggers EH1; see pile storage section |
| Enclosed lumber storage — solid pile above 12 ft | EH1 with NFPA 13 Chapter 20 pile storage density | May require higher density than base EH1 design; AHJ and designer confirmation required |
| Engineered wood products (LVL, PSL, OSB) | EH1 | Engineered wood with adhesive binders; similar to combustible solid pile |
| Plywood and panel products in enclosed storage | EH1 | Panel products stacked flat in bundles; solid pile analysis applies |
| Flammable/combustible liquid storage (stains, solvents, adhesives) | Extra Hazard Group 2 (EH2) or Group H separation | Depends on quantities; see MAQ analysis section |
| Propane exchange cabinet location (exterior only) | Not sprinklered; governed by NFPA 58 | Exterior-only; no interior sprinkler coverage extends to outdoor propane cabinets |
| Office and administrative areas | Light Hazard | Standard office occupancy |
| Covered outdoor canopy over loading dock (open structure) | Typically not sprinklered | Open-structure determination must be confirmed by AHJ |
Rack storage above 12 feet: NFPA 13 Chapter 17
When enclosed lumber storage uses rack systems — pallet racks, cantilever racks, or structural racking — with the top of lumber storage exceeding 12 feet above the floor, NFPA 13 Chapter 17 (protection of rack storage) applies. Chapter 17 requirements are significantly more demanding than standard ceiling-only coverage.
Key rack storage concepts for lumber yards:
- Solid shelving vs. open rack. Pallet racks with solid deck panels (plywood or steel) at each level are classified as "solid shelf" storage and receive the most demanding treatment under Chapter 17 because water from ceiling heads cannot penetrate through solid shelving to reach lower levels. Open rack (wire deck or no deck) allows water penetration and receives slightly better treatment.
- In-rack sprinklers. Chapter 17 typically requires in-rack sprinkler heads at specific vertical intervals within the rack structure when storage height and commodity classification exceed the ceiling-only protection limits. For combustible solid commodities like lumber (Class III-IV or EH1 equivalent), in-rack heads are required in most high-bay enclosed storage configurations.
- ESFR alternative. Early Suppression Fast Response (ESFR) sprinkler heads at the ceiling level are an alternative to in-rack heads when building geometry and water supply permit. ESFR heads deliver high-density water application rapidly at ceiling level to suppress a fire before it grows. ESFR is listed to specific ceiling heights and requires confirmation that the building's water supply can deliver the required flow — typically 60+ GPM per head with 12 heads flowing simultaneously, totaling 720+ GPM at the required residual pressure. For many Pierce County lumber yard locations on municipal water supply, a fire pump may be required to meet ESFR demand.
- Ceiling height matters. ESFR heads have listing limits on maximum ceiling height (K-25 ESFR heads are typically listed to approximately 35 feet under high-challenge commodity conditions). High-bay enclosed lumber warehouses with roof ridgelines above 35 feet may require engineering analysis for ceiling-level ESFR or in-rack heads as the code-compliant path.
Work with a qualified fire protection engineer to determine whether the specific rack configuration, storage height, ceiling height, and water supply at your site support an ESFR design or require in-rack heads. This decision affects both first cost and long-term maintenance.
Solid pile storage: NFPA 13 Chapter 20
Many older Pierce County lumber yards and some wholesale distributors store lumber in solid pile stacks — bundles of dimensional lumber stacked directly on the floor or on low dunnage, without racking. Solid pile storage follows a different analysis path than rack storage.
NFPA 13 Chapter 20 governs outdoor solid pile storage. For enclosed solid pile combustible storage, the AHJ and fire protection engineer typically apply the Chapter 20 principles to enclosed buildings as well, using the EH1 design density as the starting point and evaluating whether the pile height, pile size, and aisle configuration require a denser or more specialized design.
Pile height triggers:
- Combustible solid pile (lumber, plywood, OSB) above 6 feet in an enclosed building: EH1 minimum
- Above 12 feet: EH1 minimum with pile storage design density considerations — the specific density and area of application depend on the aisle widths, pile dimensions, and whether the building has sprinklers on multiple levels or only at ceiling level
Pile spacing and aisle requirements. NFPA 13 pile storage provisions establish maximum pile sizes and minimum aisle widths between piles. These requirements govern both fire protection design and operational storage practices. Changes to pile layout after the sprinkler system is designed and permitted may invalidate the design if pile size or aisle configuration changes.
NFPA 30B aerosol products: the compliance risk in the retail section
Building material retailers carry a significant inventory of aerosol products: spray paint, aerosol primers, aerosol caulks and foams, aerosol lubricants, aerosol sealers, and aerosol pesticides for wood treatment. NFPA 30B governs the fire protection requirements for aerosol product storage and retail display.
NFPA 30B classification levels:
- Level 1 aerosols: Water-based formulations with limited flammable propellant. Low fire risk. Most water-based spray paints and aerosol cleaning products.
- Level 2 aerosols: Partially flammable formulation. Moderate fire risk. Many primers, spray paints with solvent-based formulations, aerosol lacquers.
- Level 3 aerosols: Fully flammable, high-pressure formulations. Highest fire risk. Most aerosol primers, solvent-based spray paints, aerosol adhesives, aerosol combustible propellant products.
IBC Table 307.1(2) MAQ thresholds apply to aerosol products inside a building. Level 2 and Level 3 aerosols have MAQ limits that can be exceeded by a full retail inventory in a paint department without specialized storage.
Practical compliance steps:
- Classify all aerosol products by NFPA 30B level (most manufacturers publish hazard classifications in SDS documents).
- Calculate the total quantity of Level 2 and Level 3 aerosol products on the retail sales floor.
- Confirm displayed quantities comply with NFPA 30B Chapter 8 retail display limits and IBC Table 307.1(2).
- Back-of-house aerosol storage may require a separate control area analysis or fire-rated storage room if quantities exceed retail display limits.
For building material retailers with a full paint and coating department — including spray paint, aerosol primer, aerosol polyurethane, aerosol adhesives, and aerosol rust inhibitors — the aerosol product analysis should be submitted to the fire marshal at the pre-application conference. Aerosol compliance is a plan check item and a fire marshal enforcement item at inspection.
Flammable and combustible liquid inventory: IBC Table 307.1(1) MAQ analysis
Beyond aerosol products, building material retailers typically carry significant quantities of flammable and combustible liquids in containers larger than aerosol cans:
- Interior wood stains and finishes (mineral spirits-based, Class II or III combustible): Quart, gallon, and 5-gallon containers of oil-based stains, varnishes, wood sealers, and polyurethane
- Exterior deck sealers and preservatives (water-repellent and penetrating oil-based formulations)
- Contact cement and construction adhesives (solvent-based formulations with flammable propellant content)
- Mineral spirits and paint thinner (Class II combustible liquid, 60–100°F flash point)
- Acetone and lacquer thinner (Class IB flammable liquids, below 73°F flash point)
- Oil-based primer and paint (Class III combustible liquid in gallon and five-gallon containers)
IBC Table 307.1(1) establishes the maximum allowable quantity (MAQ) of flammable and combustible liquids in a single control area of a Group M occupancy before Group H (Hazardous) occupancy triggers. In a sprinklered Group M building, MAQ limits are doubled from the base values.
A full building material retail inventory with a paint and coating department, adhesive aisle, and wood finishing section may approach or exceed MAQ limits for Class IB, Class II, or Class III liquids if quantities are large. For operations that also sell contractor-scale quantities in 5-gallon buckets and wholesale case lots, a materials inventory analysis should be conducted before permit submission. If MAQ limits are exceeded, the flammable/combustible liquid storage area must either be classified as Group H or physically separated from the Group M occupancy by a rated separation.
Propane exchange cabinets
Many lumber yards and building supply stores operate outdoor propane exchange cabinet programs (Blue Rhino, AmeriGas, or similar) for customer convenience. Propane exchange cabinets are governed by NFPA 58 Section 8.4 and IFC Chapter 64 rather than by the building sprinkler system.
Key compliance points:
- Exchange cabinets must be located outdoors only — not inside the building or in covered enclosed storage.
- NFPA 58 permits a maximum of 720 pounds of propane in a single approved outdoor exchange cabinet location in front of a building.
- Separation distances from building openings, overhead utilities, vehicle paths, and property lines are specified in NFPA 58 Table 8.4.1.
- An IFC Chapter 64 operational permit may be required from the fire AHJ depending on the quantity of propane stored.
- The sprinkler system inside the building does not extend to the outdoor propane exchange cabinet. The outdoor cabinet location is not analyzed as part of the building fire protection design.
Washington State lumber product pressure treatment: on-site treatment operations
Some Pierce County lumber yards that handle a full complement of building products also perform on-site pressure treatment of dimensional lumber, posts, or structural timbers. On-site pressure treatment changes the occupancy classification analysis significantly:
- Pressure treatment operations: IBC Group F-1 (Factory and Industrial — Moderate Hazard). Manufacturing occupancy with flammable or reactive treatment chemical involvement.
- Treatment chemical storage: The chemicals used in modern pressure treatment (Alkaline Copper Quaternary [ACQ], Copper Azole [CA]) are water-based and non-flammable in working concentration. However, stored quantities may still require review under IBC Chapter 3 for hazardous materials.
- Older facilities using CCA (chromated copper arsenate): Washington State Department of Ecology oversight may apply for legacy CCA treatment or disposal of treated materials.
This article is scoped to retail sales and storage operations without on-site treatment. If a project includes pressure treatment equipment, engage a fire protection engineer with experience in industrial wood treatment at the earliest design stage.
Pierce County AHJ routing
City of Tacoma (South Tacoma Way and East Tacoma industrial corridors): The South Tacoma Way corridor between I-5 and the Tacoma Tideflats is the primary industrial lumber and building supply corridor in Pierce County. Permits for these locations route through Tacoma Community and Economic Development (building permit) and Tacoma Fire Department (fire protection permit). Tacoma Fire has an active plan check desk with experience reviewing EH1 hazard designs and NFPA 30B aerosol compliance for industrial building supply operations.
City of Fife and unincorporated Pierce County (Pacific Hwy / Valley Ave corridor): Large-format home improvement retailers and wholesale building material suppliers concentrated along Pacific Highway (SR-99) and Valley Avenue. City of Fife parcels route through Fife Fire Department and the City of Fife Building Department. Parcels in unincorporated areas adjacent to Fife route through Pierce County Development Center and East Pierce Fire & Rescue. Parcel-level AHJ confirmation is essential in this corridor — the boundary between City of Fife and unincorporated Pierce County crosses major commercial parcels.
City of Puyallup and South Hill: Building material suppliers along Shaw Road, Meridian Ave, and the South Hill area. City of Puyallup parcels route through Puyallup Fire Department and City of Puyallup Building Department. South Hill (unincorporated Pierce County) routes through Pierce County Development Center and East Pierce Fire & Rescue.
Sumner and Bonney Lake (Valley Avenue Sumner industrial corridor): Wholesale lumber distributors and building supply operations in the Sumner industrial zone route through the City of Sumner Building Department and East Pierce Fire & Rescue. Bonney Lake commercial parcels route through East Pierce Fire & Rescue and the City of Bonney Lake.
Auburn (northwest Pierce County / King-Pierce border): Building supply operations near the King-Pierce County border require AHJ confirmation — parcels may fall within the City of Auburn (Auburn Fire Department) or unincorporated Pierce County (East Pierce Fire). Confirm via the county assessor parcel database before the pre-application.
Unincorporated Pierce County (rural building supply): Agricultural supply dealers and rural lumber yards in Orting, Buckley, and the rural corridor routes through Pierce County Development Center and the applicable fire district (Buckley Fire, East Pierce, Carbon River Fire, or South Pierce Fire depending on parcel location).
Seven common mistakes in lumber yard and building material facility fire protection
| Mistake | Consequence | Correct approach |
|---|---|---|
| Classifying all enclosed storage as OH1 or OH2 without recognizing EH1 for combustible pile or high-rack lumber | Inadequate water density design; plan review correction or field redesign required | Apply EH1 minimum to any enclosed lumber storage above 6 ft solid pile; confirm with designer whether in-rack heads or ESFR are required above 12 ft |
| Treating pallet-racked lumber the same as floor-level display | Misses NFPA 13 Chapter 17 in-rack requirements above 12 ft; major redesign at plan review | Engage a fire protection engineer before finalizing rack heights; get Chapter 17 analysis or ESFR feasibility study before permit application |
| Assuming covered open-sided lumber shed is automatically an open structure | AHJ may classify shed as Group S-1 enclosed building if roll-up doors cover all open sides; retroactive sprinkler installation is expensive | Request AHJ open-structure determination at pre-application based on actual percentage of permanently open exterior wall area |
| Not analyzing aerosol product inventory under NFPA 30B | Fire marshal enforcement at inspection; operational restrictions on aerosol product quantity until compliance is achieved | Classify all aerosol products by NFPA 30B level at permit design stage; confirm display quantities comply with Chapter 8 limits |
| Missing IBC Table 307.1(1) MAQ analysis for flammable and combustible liquid inventory | Undetected Group H trigger when combined inventory of stains, solvents, and oil-based products exceeds MAQ; may require rated separation or Group H construction | Complete materials inventory list with maximum quantities before building permit submission; submit to AHJ at pre-application conference |
| Omitting IBC Section 508 aggregate fire area analysis for showroom + enclosed storage | Treats each zone as independent; misses the sprinkler trigger when combined fire area exceeds 12,000 sq ft even though each zone is below threshold | Calculate combined fire area including all attached or connected Group M and Group S-1 zones; apply most restrictive threshold to the combined area |
| Specifying ESFR heads without confirming water supply adequacy | ESFR installation completed; water supply test reveals insufficient flow; system must be redesigned to in-rack or fire pump must be added | Conduct water supply flow test and confirm ESFR hydraulic demand can be met before specifying ESFR; obtain fire pump sizing if required |
Permit sequence for a lumber yard or building material facility in Pierce County
- AHJ identification — confirm which fire jurisdiction has authority based on parcel location; confirm building department jurisdiction
- Pre-application conference — present occupancy classification breakdown (Group M retail + Group S-1 storage), open-structure determination request for any covered shed, aggregate fire area analysis, rack storage height and system type (in-rack vs. ESFR), aerosol product inventory, and flammable/combustible liquid MAQ analysis
- Materials inventory list — compile maximum quantities of all aerosol products and flammable/combustible liquids; submit with pre-application package
- Water supply test — flow test at nearest hydrant(s) to determine available flow and residual pressure; required input for ESFR hydraulic calculations if ESFR is proposed
- Fire protection engineering engagement — engage qualified fire protection engineer for EH1 storage design, Chapter 17 or ESFR analysis, and aerosol/flammable liquid compliance review
- Building permit and fire protection permit application — include NFPA 13 sprinkler shop drawings with hazard zone map, in-rack or ESFR design documentation, NFPA 30B aerosol compliance analysis, and IBC Table 307.1(1) MAQ analysis
- Plan review — expect comments on hazard classification for storage areas, in-rack head placement, aerosol product quantities, and flammable liquid MAQ compliance; expect additional review time for EH1 designs
- Construction and rough-in inspection — sprinkler piping, in-rack heads (if applicable), and connection to domestic water or fire pump
- Rack installation coordination — if racking is installed after rough-in inspection, confirm in-rack head locations are consistent with final rack positions before final inspection
- Final inspection and acceptance test — system hydraulic test; flow test confirmation against design calculations; in-rack head functional confirmation
- Certificate of Occupancy
FAQ
More questions
- Q.01Our covered lumber storage shed has a roof but the sides are open — do we need fire sprinklers in it?
- It depends on how open the sides are. Under IBC Section 406.5, a structure with sufficient permanently open exterior wall area qualifies as an 'open structure' that is exempt from IBC building fire protection requirements, including sprinklers. A fully open-sided shed with a roof and no perimeter walls almost always qualifies. A shed with walls on three sides and one fully open side often qualifies. A shed with walls on all sides and roll-up doors — even if the doors are left open during the day — is typically treated as an enclosed Group S-1 building that requires the full fire protection analysis. The key is whether the sides can be sealed. Bring the shed geometry (perimeter dimensions, wall heights, open area measurements, and door configuration) to the pre-application conference with the building department and fire AHJ to get the open-structure determination before finalizing the design. This determination has major budget implications.
- Q.02We store pallet-racked lumber up to 20 feet high in our enclosed warehouse. Do we need in-rack sprinkler heads?
- Almost certainly yes, or you need an ESFR (Early Suppression Fast Response) ceiling-head system as an alternative. NFPA 13 Chapter 17 governs rack storage of combustible commodities above 12 feet. Dimensional lumber, plywood, and engineered wood products at 20-foot rack height are a high-challenge commodity requiring either in-rack heads at defined vertical intervals within the rack or ESFR heads at ceiling level. ESFR is an alternative to in-rack heads when the building geometry allows it and the water supply can deliver the required flow — ESFR systems typically need 700+ GPM at the required residual pressure, which often requires a fire pump on municipal water supply. Engaging a qualified fire protection engineer before finalizing the rack height and system type is essential. Changing from a 12-foot to a 20-foot storage height after the building permit is submitted requires a design revision — and if the in-rack or ESFR design was not included in the original permit, you will face a change order for both the engineering and the installation.
- Q.03We sell spray paint, aerosol primer, aerosol adhesives, and aerosol varnishes — what aerosol compliance do we need?
- NFPA 30B classifies aerosol products by hazard level based on formulation and propellant flammability. Most spray paint, aerosol primer, aerosol adhesives, and solvent-based aerosol finishes are Level 2 or Level 3 — the highest-hazard categories. NFPA 30B Chapter 8 limits how much of these products you can display on the retail sales floor, and IBC Table 307.1(2) sets maximum allowable quantities for the building before the aerosol inventory triggers Group H (Hazardous) occupancy. For a building material retailer with a substantial paint and coatings department, the aggregate quantity of Level 2 and Level 3 aerosols across all aisles is worth calculating before the fire protection permit is designed. If displayed quantities approach or exceed NFPA 30B retail display limits, a planogram-based aerosol quantity analysis should be submitted to the fire marshal at the pre-application conference. The fire marshal can confirm compliance or identify whether a back-of-house aerosol storage room with rated construction is needed for overflow inventory.
- Q.04We also sell oil-based stains, varnishes, contact cement, and mineral spirits in gallon and five-gallon containers. Do those affect our fire protection permit?
- Yes. Flammable and combustible liquids in containers — stains, varnishes, mineral spirits, acetone, lacquer thinner, contact cement, and oil-based coatings — are governed by IBC Table 307.1(1) maximum allowable quantities in Group M retail occupancies. The MAQ limits depend on the flash point of each product (Class IB flammable under 73°F, Class II combustible between 100–140°F, Class IIIA combustible between 140–200°F, and Class IIIB above 200°F) and whether the building is sprinklered (sprinklered MAQs are twice the base values). If the combined quantity of any flash-point class exceeds the MAQ in your retail floor and back-of-house storage, the storage area either needs to be rated-separated as a distinct control area or classified as Group H hazardous occupancy. A materials inventory list with the maximum quantities of every flammable and combustible liquid product should be prepared before the building permit is submitted. This is a plan check compliance item in Pierce County jurisdictions, and fire marshals check flammable liquid quantities during operational inspections of building material retail operations.
Last reviewed by Michael Berger, Owner · 1st Choice Fire · WA L&I #1STCHCF770OF