Improper pallet storage is a fire hazard and safety risk. Follow these guidelines to keep your warehouse compliant and safe.
Pallet storage might seem straightforward, but it's actually a significant safety concern — particularly regarding fire risk. Wood pallets are combustible, and improperly stored pallet stacks have been the origin of numerous warehouse fires.
NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) guidelines recommend: stacking pallets no more than 6 feet high (about 15 pallets), maintaining at least 8 feet of clearance from sprinkler heads, and keeping pallet storage areas away from building exits and electrical panels.
Outdoor storage requires additional precautions: pallets should be stored at least 20 feet from buildings, and total outdoor pallet quantities should be limited based on your fire department's guidelines. Many jurisdictions require outdoor pallet stacks to be no larger than 400 square feet per pile.
Best practices: designate a specific pallet storage area, keep it clean and free of debris, ensure fire extinguishers are nearby and accessible, and train your team on proper stacking techniques. A pallet that falls from an unstable stack can cause serious injury.
At Oakland Pallets, we can help you manage pallet inventory levels through scheduled pickup and delivery programs — reducing the number of pallets you need to store at any given time.