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May 1998

Revised January 2003

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PROTECTION FOR AUTOMATIC STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS

Table of ContentsPage

1.0 SCOPE ................................................................................................................................................... 2

1.1 Changes .......................................................................................................................................... 2

2.0 LOSS PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS ....................................................................................... 2

2.1 Protection ......................................................................................................................................... 2

2.2 Equipment and Processes .............................................................................................................. 2

2.3 Alarms .............................................................................................................................................. 2

3.0 SUPPORT FOR RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................................... 6

3.1 Description ....................................................................................................................................... 6

3.2 Five-Sided, Noncombustible Containers ......................................................................................... 6

3.3 All Other Containers ........................................................................................................................ 7

4.0 REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................................... 74.1 FM Global ........................................................................................................................................ 7

APPENDIX A GLOSSARY OF TERMS ....................................................................................................... 7

APPENDIX B DOCUMENT REVISION HISTORY ....................................................................................... 9

List of FiguresFig. 1. Racks over 25 ft (7.6 m) high utilizing Five-sided non-combustible containers storing

any product. ........................................................................................................................................ 4

Fig. 2. Racks over 25 ft (7.6 m) high utilizing All other containers storing products protected

as Class II, III or IV commodity. ......................................................................................................... 5

Fig. 3. Racks over 12 ft (3.7 m) to 25 ft (7.6 m) high utilizing All other containers storing any

product. ............................................................................................................................................... 6

Fig. 4. Racks over 25 ft (7.6 m) high utilizing All other containers storing Group A or B unexpanded

plastic. ................................................................................................................................................. 7Fig. 5a. Racks over 25 ft (7.6 m) high utilizing All other containers storing Group A or B expanded

plastic. ............................................................................................................................................... 8

Fig. 5b. Racks over 25 ft (7.6 m) high utilizing All other containers storing Group A or

B expanded or unexpanded plastic. ................................................................................................. 8

Fig. 6. Package automatic storage/retrieval system. ..................................................................................... 9

Fig. 7. Aisle view of Figure 6. ...................................................................................................................... 10

Fig. 8. Cut-away of Figure 6. ....................................................................................................................... 10

List of TablesTable 1. Five-sided Noncombustible Containers .......................................................................................... 3

Table 2. All Other Containers ........................................................................................................................ 3

FM GlobalProperty Loss Prevention Data Sheets 8-34

2003 Factory Mutual I nsurance Company. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced,stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of Factory Mutual Insurance Company.

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1.0 SCOPE

This Data Sheet provides fire protection guidelines for Automatic Storage and Retrieval Systems that utilize

five sided, open top containers to store parts to any storage height.

1.1 ChangesJanuary 2003. Clarification regarding the storage clearance was added.

2.0 LOSS PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS

2.1 Protection

2.1.1 Five-sided, noncombustible containers should be protected as outlined in Table 1. All other containers

should be protected as outlined in Table 2. Container material and contents including packaging identified

in Tables 1 and 2 as 2, 3, 4 are products which if stored on pallets would constitute Class 2, 3 and 4

commodities respectively.

2.1.2 Ceiling sprinklers should be 286F (141.1C) rated unless otherwise footnoted in Tables 1 and 2. When

a ceiling sprinkler density of 0.45 gal/min/ft2 (18 mm/min) is specified, 1732 in. (14 mm) orifice sprinklers

should be installed. Otherwise, either 1732 in. (14 mm) or 12 in. (13 mm) orifice sprinklers are acceptable.

2.1.3 In-rack sprinklers should be rated at 165F (74C) or less. Either 1732in. (14 mm) or 12in. (13 mm) orifice

in-rack sprinklers are acceptable. Vertical and horizontal spacing should be as shown in the appropriate fig-

ure designated in Tables 1 and 2. Hydraulic design specifications, as well as general in-rack installation rules

in regard to clearance, piping, valving and flow alarms as found in Data Sheet 8-9, Storage of Class 1, 2, 3,

4 and Plastic Commodities, should be applied. Removal of one or two container levels will probably be nec-

essary to accommodate each level of in-rack sprinklers.

2.1.4 Provide sufficient 1-12 in. (38.1 mm) hose to reach the length of the aisles. Allow at least 100 gal/min

(380 l/min) for inside hose streams and at least 500 gal/min (1900 l/min) for combined inside and outside

hose streams.

2.1.5 For systems where the clearance between the top of storage and ceiling is greater than 20 ft (6 m),

place a horizontal barrier over the top of the storage with sprinklers under the barrier. Ceiling density should

be 0.2 gal/min/ft2 (8 mm/min) over 2000 ft2 (186 m2).

2.1.6 Maintain storage a minimum of 36 in. (915 mm) below sprinkler deflectors.

2.2 Equipment and Processes

2.2.1 Install emergency lighting in each aisle, and provide an entry door in each aisle at the end opposite

the picking station.

2.3 Alarms

2.3.1 Smoke actuated detectors should be installed to ensure quick manual firefighting response. Fixed tem-

perature or rate-of-rise detectors are acceptable when containers are not five-sided and/or noncombus-

tible. Locate the detectors at the ceiling on a spacing not exceeding the allowable ceiling sprinkler spacing.

In addition, where in-rack sprinklers are installed, locate one line of detectors at each in-rack sprinkler level

in the longitudinal flue. Detectors should be at the same horizontal spacing as the in-rack sprinklers. Alarms

for the detection system should be located where prompt response is ensured, such as a constantly attendedlocation on the property.

8-34 Protection for Automatic StoragePage 2 FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets

2003 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

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Table 1. Five-sided Noncombustible Containers

Height

ft (m)

Contents

Including

Product

Packaging

Ceiling Sprinklers

In-Rack Sprinklers

NOTE 1

Density,

gal/min/ft2

(mm/min)

Area

ft2

(m2)

12 (3.7) All Products 0.20 (8) 2500 (232) None12 and

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Fig. 1. Racks over 25 ft (7.6 m) high utilizing Five-sided non-combustible containers storing any product.



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Fig. 2. Racks over 25 ft (7.6 m) high utilizingAll other containersstoring productsprotected as Class II, III or IV commodity.

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3.0 SUPPORT FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

3.1 Description

These systems consist of multiple levels of containers that slide into a rack frame. Containers storing the

parts are removed from the rack by a motorized picker. The picker, located in the aisle on a set of rails, is usu-

ally operated via a computer terminal. The picker can move in three directions: back and forth in the aisle,

up and down the height of the rack, and in and out of the rack when removing or returning a container to itslocation (see Figures 6, 7, 8). Depending on the size of the system, more than one picker may be used.

Aisles are generally about 4 ft (1.2 m) wide.

Systems vary in size. Smaller systems, which measure approximately 15 ft wide by 50 ft long by 20 ft high

(4.5 by 15 by 6 m), are generally package units where racks are contained within a metal enclosure. Larger

systems may exceed 100 ft wide by 100 ft long by 35 ft high (30 by 30 by 11 m). Maximum height is usu-

ally 40 ft (12 m). These larger systems may be installed inside an existing structure a) with sides enclosed

by corrugated sheet metal, b) with sides and top open, c) with sides and top enclosed by corrugated sheet

metal. The system may also be installed as a rack-supported structure with the roof and siding directly

attached to the rack.

Systems are often used for storage of parts highly prone to heat, smoke or water damage. The loss expect-

ancy may be difficult to estimate. Values differ for each system depending on the type of system, storage

and business interruption. There may be instances where the parts stored are low in value but critical for pro-

duction. Such situations will usually involve large business interruptions.

There are various types of containers in which parts may be stored within the retrieval system. For purposes

of providing protection guidelines they have been divided into two groups.

3.2 Five-Sided, Noncombustible Containers

These containers are generally painted or galvanized sheet metal. The dimensions of these containers in

small package retrieval systems are approximately 1 ft wide by 3 ft long (0.30 m by 0.9 m). Larger retrieval sys-

tems utilize containers that are approximately 2 ft wide by 4 ft long (0.6 by 1.2 m). Heights of containers

Fig. 3. Racks over 12 ft (3.7 m) to 25 ft (7.6 m) high utilizingAll other containersstoring any product.



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APPENDIX B DOCUMENT REVISION HISTORY

September 2000. This revision of the document has been reorganized to provide a consistent format.

FMELPC Nov. 1992

Fig. 6. Package automatic storage/retrieval system.

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Fig. 7. Aisle view of Figure 6.

Fig. 8. Cut-away of Figure 6.



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