Rev 7.24.23

A building permit is required for racking unless it meets the exemption below. All racking must be anchored to resist overturning. Anchorage details must be prepared by a licensed design professional. The design professional must indicate when special inspection is required per IBC Chapter 17.  Racks shall be installed per manufacturer’s specifications.

International Building Code Section 105.2 Work Exempt from Permit: Nonfixed and movable cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 ft. 9 in. in height.

Required submittal requirements:

• Commercial Building Permit Application form
• Special Inspection Agreement form for anchorage as required by engineer; per IBC 1705.12.7, periodic special inspection is required during the anchorage of storage racks 8’ or greater in height in this seismic zone
• Combustible stock storage questionnaire for Fire Marshal Review

Drawing information – Plans shall include but are not limited to:

• All drawings, specifications and calculations, drawn to minimum ¼” scale or larger
• Structural calculations, if applicable
  • Washington licensed engineer’s stamp (signed and dated) is required for racks 8’ or greater in height
    Note: If a design professional has prepared plans, each sheet of all copies must have design professional's seal and the design professional's signature in a format deemed appropriate by the design professional
• Site plan for exterior racking; exterior racking shall not exceed 20’ in height
• Plan coversheet
  • Building code edition
  • Construction type of building
  • Identify occupancy classifications and areas for each space
  • Identify total building height, stories and area
  • Identify if building has a fire sprinkler, if yes, identify type
  • Identify if building has a fire alarm
• Racking layout on a floor plan with aisle dimension
• Exit paths
• Include all building exits and where the exits lead to. (i.e. to the public way)
• Full height elevations or section drawings from floor to roof. Include the following heights from the floor level:
  • Maximum height of racks to shelf
  • Maximum height of commodities stored on the top shelf
  • Sprinkler heads
  • Bottom of roof structural members and bottom of roof deck
• Anchorage details (engineer required)
• Floor bolt and washer (leveling shims) specifications and sizes
• Connections of upright to upright, row to row, back to back

General information required:

• Cold-formed or hot-rolled steel structure members shall be in accordance with RMI/ANSI MH 16.1
• Provide the manufacturer’s specification/installation instructions
• Per 2015 IFC Chapter 32, provide the type of commodities that are stored by completing the Combustible stock storage questionnaire for Fire Marshal Review
• If the building is equipped with fire sprinkler protection, include detailed evaluation of the sprinkler design including density, head types and temperatures, NFPA 13 design curve used, etc., and show the zones of the sprinkler system
• Per IFC 906, provide portable fire extinguisher location

High Piled Storage

• Storage greater than 12’ high qualifies as High Piled Storage.
• High hazard commodity storage with top of storage at greater than 6’ qualifies as High Piled Storage per IFC 202.
• See requirements for High Pile Racking Plan submittal.

Drawing information – Plans shall include but are not limited to:

• Minimum ¼” scale - floor plan (show locations and dimensions of high-piled storage area)
• Type, location and specifications on smoke removal and curtain boards
• Commodity clearances (top of storage to sprinkler deflector)
• Type of fire suppression and detection systems     
• Location of banded and encapsulated commodities     
• Location and classification of commodities     
• Location of valves controlling ceiling and rack sprinklers     
• Usable storage height
• Transverse and longitudinal flue space dimensions
• Maximum pile volume for each storage array
• Aisle dimensions between racks
• Location of fire access
• Number of tiers