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Location:  Legislation > Fire Safety Commission > Fire Code Commission Decision #99A004-129

Fire Safety Commission Decision Summary

DECISION NO.99A004-129
DATE:March 23, 2000

SUBJECT MATTER

The issue before the tribunal was for safe outdoor storage of wood pallets.

The property contains a one storey, sprinklered building for pallet repair and assembly operations. Pallets are stored outdoors in a pallet storage areas secured with a perimeter chain link fence, with two lockable access gates. Pallets are stored in eight storage piles ranging in size from 180 m² to 2300 m², to a maximum height of 5.0 m. Piles are separated by aisles 5.2 m to 6.4 m wide. Storage is 3.0 m and less from property lines on three sides, and 5.2 m from the main building.

Hydrants are provided on the street and in the yard. Sprinklers are provided along the exterior face of the main building where exposed by outdoor pallet storage.

The Order called for:

• Widening of one of the access gates to allow fire department access to the yard.
   
• Proper maintenance of the fire department access routes in the yard.
   
• Removal of waste and vegetation around pallet storage and posting of ‘no smoking’ signs in yard.
   
• Limiting pallet piles to a maximum height, length and width and providing minimum clearance around piles.
   
• Implementation of a fire safety plan and annual fire safety training for plant personnel.
   
• Monthly fire safety inspections by owner.

REASON FOR APPEAL

The owner appealed for additional time to negotiate the purchase of other properties, for the relocation of some of the pallet storage. The owner is also negotiating with neighbours for clearance of vegetation growing on their property in the vicinity of the pallet storage.

COMMISSION'S DECISION:

• All items of Order are to be implemented to a prescribed date.
   
• An agreement with adjacent property owners is required to ensure no product storage or vehicle parking is located adjacent to the pallet storage, before clearance credit can be given.
   
• Pallet storage clearance from the main building shall be increased from that specified in the Order unless the exterior sprinklers are confirmed to provide adequate protection.