Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/638772
palletcentral.com PalletCentral • January-February 2016 13 The new code language reflects the unique operating best practices utilized by the industry. For instance, the proposal requires that all manufacturing and recycling facilities have a written site plan and fire prevention plan specific to their facility. Bill Koffel, president of Koffel Associates, who is the consultant hired by NWPCA and lead proponent of the NFPA proposal believes that the framework of the submission will lead to improved safety at facilities and for first responders. Koffel says, "The proposed language creates a provision in the code that provides enhanced safety measures that function within the unique operating conditions of individual facilities." Furthermore, the proposal would require sufficient spacing of the pallet staging area – away from important structures on-site and away from property lines. That spacing will be based on the height of the stacks of pallets in the yard (with stacks being no more than 20 feet high). Basically, the taller the stacks, the greater the spacing required. These provisions will help to ensure that – in the event of a fire – first responders have a higher likelihood of containing it to the staging area. Those interested in reading the NFPA code proposal in its entirety should consult the related sidebar for more information. In the fall of 2015, NWPCA participated in an NFPA committee meeting to offer the industry's perspective and reach out to the fire code community. During this meeting, the committee reviewed and discussed the merits of the outdoor pallet storage code proposal. The committee provided valuable feedback as to how the proposal may be improved, and it was ultimately viewed favorably. The proposal was accepted as a "first revision," which means it will be released to the public for comment, and indicates that NFPA is intending on publishing it in its new fire code. This public comment period commences in the spring of 2016, and the fire safety community and general public alike will have the opportunity to review the code language and make suggestions to improve it. NWPCA will work with fire code experts who are participating in the review process, including Mr. Koffel, to supply an industry perspective informed by the feedback received at the NFPA committee meeting. Two additions to the code are likely to be submitted to strengthen the proposal: (1) The site plan, as noted above, will include an item that defines the location of the pallet storage or "staging." (2) A clause will be added to the section on storage spacing in relation to the property line, stipulating a minimum distance of eight feet, regardless of the stack height of the pallets. Concurrently, NWPCA has been working in a similar manner to develop a proposal for the ICC's International Fire Code. At the time of this writing, it is expected that this proposal will be submitted by the deadline in early January. The ICC proposal will be informed by the NFPA process, emphasizing best practices and separation distances between staging areas and property lines. It also will include the two provisions to be added to the NFPA code during the public comment period (see the sidebar for further details on the ICC proposal). The language of the ICC proposal aims to duplicate the NFPA proposal currently under review. We believe that will result in more consistent enforcement and levels of safety – no matter which state your facility is located. The ICC operates similarly to the NFPA, commissioning specialized committees that review proposal submissions and approve versions for public comment. The ICC committee reviewing the proposal will meet in early spring of 2016. As with the NFPA process, NWPCA plans to engage to represent the industry "The proposed language creates a provision in the code that provides enhanced safety measures that function within the unique operating conditions of individual facilities." Bill Koffel, Koffel Associates