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Warehouse Fire Safety: Flue Guards & Keepers for NFPA13 Compliance
Ensure NFPA13 Code Compliance with Flue Guard™ & Flue Keeper™ for Optimal Warehouse Rack Spacing and Sprinkler Performance.
In the world of warehousing, fire safety is not just a recommendation; it’s a critical legal and operational necessity. The NFPA13 Code, as reflected in the IBC2012, mandates the maintenance of clear flue spaces within pallet racking systems. Failure to comply can lead to serious consequences, including fines, operational shutdowns, and even catastrophic loss. Our mission at Fire Safety First is to provide simple, effective, and code-compliant solutions to keep your warehouse safe and operational. Our innovative products, Flue Guard™ and Flue Keeper™, are designed to effortlessly meet these requirements, ensuring optimal sprinkler performance and preventing dangerous pallet push-throughs.
Flue Guard™: Your Pallet Rack Flue Space Solution
The Flue Guard™ is a revolutionary product designed to maintain longitudinal flue space in your pallet racking system. It’s the ultimate solution for preventing pallet push-through and ensuring continuous, open flue space, a critical requirement for NFPA13 compliance. A registered trademark of Rack Safety Products, LLC, the Flue Guard™ offers a simple, effective, and highly affordable way to retrofit existing racks or install on new ones. Its universal design works with all brands of roll-formed or structural racking, fitting beams of any length or depth. This means no more ordering custom-sized beams or dealing with complex installations. The Flue Guard™ is the smart choice for warehouses seeking a reliable and cost-effective solution to meet fire codes and enhance safety.
Flue Guard™ vs. Competition: The Clear Winner for Warehouse Flue Space
Flue Guard™:
- Easy, One-Person Installation: Attaches with high-strength tek screws for quick and effortless setup on new or retrofitted racks.
Universal Fit: Works with all brands and sizes of racking, eliminating the need for different length beams.
Cost-Effective: Cheaper price per unit and lower shipping costs compared to alternative solutions.
Maintains Exact Flue Space: Provides an exacting 6″ minimum flue space, preventing issues with local fire authorities.
Pallet Rack Backstop Beam:
- Complex, Two-Person Installation: Requires two installers and takes longer to install.
Limited Compatibility: Large beam or wire meshing with mounts, often requiring larger row spacing.
High Cost & Freight: More expensive per unit and higher freight charges due to weight and size.
Obstructs Flue Space: Can partially block the flue space it’s supposed to maintain, potentially leading to non-compliance and requiring a wider row spacer.
Introducing Flue Keeper™: Improving Sprinkler Performance in Your Racking
The Original Flue Keeper™ is a patented solution (US Patent #7,857,152) designed to keep boxes and products from encroaching into the transverse flue space. This is crucial for improving sprinkler penetration and ensuring that fire suppression systems can effectively reach all areas within the pallet rack structure. Our 42″ x 3″ Standard Flue Keeper is a versatile, easy-to-install solution that meets all NFPA standards and fire codes across the US. By using our Flue Keeper™, you are not only ensuring compliance but also actively improving the safety of your warehouse and protecting your valuable inventory.
The Importance of Pallet Rack Safety for NFPA13 Compliance
The flue spaces in your warehouse racking system are not just empty air; they are a critical component of your fire suppression system. These spaces act as vertical and horizontal channels, allowing heat from a fire to rise and activate the sprinklers, and for water to penetrate and extinguish the fire effectively. When these spaces are blocked by improperly placed pallets or boxes, the fire sprinklers become significantly less effective.
Local Fire Marshalls have the authority to enforce these regulations, and warehouses found in violation may be ordered to retrofit their pallet racks with pallet stops to meet spacing requirements. By proactively installing products like the Flue Guard™ and Flue Keeper™, you are not only preventing potential fines and downtime but also creating a safer working environment and protecting your business from the devastating impact of a warehouse fire. For more solutions, check out our heavy duty rack and cantilever pallet rack options.
Ensure NFPA13 Compliance Today!
Don’t wait for a fire marshal inspection. Take the first step towards a safer, code-compliant warehouse now.
FAQs
The NFPA13 is a widely adopted standard for the installation of sprinkler systems. It includes specific requirements for maintaining open flue spaces in pallet racking to ensure sprinklers can function correctly.
The longitudinal flue space runs the length of the aisle between back-to-back rows of racking. The transverse flue space is the space between pallets on the same beam level.
Yes, both the Flue Guard™ and Flue Keeper™ are designed for easy installation on both new and retrofitted racking systems. For expert guidance on your warehouse setup, consider our pallet rack design services.
Yes, our Flue Guard™ and Flue Keeper™ are engineered to be universally compatible with all brands of roll-formed and structural racking. You can also see our range of products for bulk rack shelving and pallet rack safety netting.
The Original Flue Keeper™ is protected by US Patent #7,857,152. The Flue Guard™ is a registered trademark of Rack Safety Products, LLC. We are proud to serve the Salt Lake City area with our top-quality products.