IWS West, Inc. is dedicated to ensuring that your new warehouse design and systems are in complete accordance with OSHA rules and regulations. We know that nothing hurts the bottom line or company morale more than workplace injuries, work stoppages, and heavy fines. With more than 7,000 warehouse-related injuries per year, and more than 95 million days of work lost each year (staggering right!?), IWS West, Inc. installs only the safest warehouse designs, systems, and machinery because we know that a healthy, working team makes for a well-oiled machine.

There are no business benefits from operating an unsafe or uncompliant warehouse. In 2016, fines for unsafe conditions jumped more than 78 percent. In 2019, fines rose again, this time another 6 percent. With penalties beginning at $13,260 per violation, failure to abate at the same amount per day, and repeat violations costing 10 times a regular violation, there has never been more at stake, both financially and health-wise.

It’s no secret that California is among the most stringent states when it comes to government regulations. The requirements for storage systems include high pile storage, structural, and handicapped accessibility. Because of IWS West’s decades of experience and expertise, we automatically incorporate our knowledge into every design.

Your warehouse and company demands the highest quality in safety, and our engineered studies and data-backed designs safeguard against costly delays in securing a storage permit. IWS West’s team of engineers and consultants run studies so that each warehouse system synthesizes safety, productivity, and space at the most optimal levels.

Benefits of Permit Services and Code Compliance

Every storage layout is designed to meet NFPA Fire Codes and UBC Building Codes for commodity classification, sprinkler density, storage height and structural integrity. IWS West. considers adjustments for code compliance an essential part of the overall facility design package that we deliver.

IWS West incorporates these codes into our designs. Utilizing our services will help your company reduce the risk of expensive change orders and inefficiencies in the workflow of the warehouse system once installed.

Below are glimpses into some of the areas that will be reviewed for code compliance and integrated into your new, streamlined warehouse design:

High Pile Storage

Review is required for any product stored over 12 feet. Sometimes, the threshold is 6 feet for certain higher hazard commodities. Items that will be reviewed include but are not limited to the following:

• Determine the hazard level of ALL commodities being stored (including packaging)
• Top of Storage Height
• Storage method(s)
• Sprinkler system – capacity and ability to protect commodities
• Aisle and flue space width
• Ceiling heights
• Sprinklers: distance from product to sprinkler head
• Building access for Fire Apparatus
• Exits and fire access doors
• Proper smoke and heat removal requirements

Structural

A structural review is required for any storage system with a height over 5 feet, 9 inches. IWS West produces and submits engineered calculations that adhere to most current codes and regulations. Items reviewed include but are not limited to the following:

• Characteristic of a storage system (gauge of steel, beam thickness, connection types, baseplate size, anchor specs, overall height, placement of beam levels, and more)
• Seismic zone specific to facility address (earthquake, etc.)
• Slab thickness, strength, reinforcement
• Proximity: distance from a storage system to building components and saw cuts
• Address potential needs: i.e. footings for platforms/mezzanines

Life Safety

Life Safety is a general term the covers several sections in Title 24 Publications. They include but are not limited to:

• Fire Protection Systems
• Occupancy Load
• Means of Egress / Exit Discharge (i.e. path of travel, emergency lighting)

Accessibility

Any time there is a permit submittal for any improvement, the customer may be called upon to verify accessibility compliance per Title 24 for persons with disabilities. These issues can include but are not limited to:

• Handicapped / Van accessible parking
• Accessibility from public point of access (walkways/ramps)
• Curbs, blended transitions, islands and detectable warnings
• Elevators / Doors with proper mechanisms and turning radius
• Restroom and Drinking Fountain accessibility
• Signage