Most jurisdictions require the submittal of a formal commodity letter when the construction of a warehouse or manufacturing facility is proposed, or when there are changes in the occupancy classification, commodity classification, or storage arrangements of an existing building. The purpose of this requirement is to ensure that the fire protection features/systems in the building are sufficient for the types of processes and operations, methods of storage, and commodities being stored at the facility.
PDI’s hazardous material evaluation services include documenting the existing facility conditions and determining the building and fire code requirements applicable to the owner/tenant’s processes and storage needs. PDI conducts site investigations of the building to document the fire protection features/systems present in the building and to discuss with key personnel the processes, types of commodities in use or storage, as well as the current/proposed storage arrangements. Utilizing the information gathered during our research and investigations, PDI evaluates whether the facilities can accommodate the proposed operations, commodities, and methods of storage without upgrades to the building or fire protection systems.
PDI’s hazardous material evaluation services include documenting the existing facility conditions and determining the building and fire code requirements applicable to the owner/tenant’s processes and storage needs. PDI conducts site investigations of the building to document the fire protection features/systems present in the building and to discuss with key personnel the processes, types of commodities in use or storage, as well as the current/proposed storage arrangements. Utilizing the information gathered during our research and investigations, PDI evaluates whether the facilities can accommodate the proposed operations, commodities, and methods of storage without upgrades to the building or fire protection systems.
The performance of the sprinkler system is often the pivotal factor in determining the types of commodities that can be stored and the methods of storage. As a part of our evaluation, PDI focuses significant attention on documenting the performance of the installed systems. Once the on-site sprinkler design criteria have been documented, PDI reviews National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) protection criteria for the specific operations, processes, products, and storage arrangements involved. PDI assesses the specific inventory and storage for each building to make sure it complies with the level of protection required.
Our reports focus on the following:
- Documenting manufacturing operations and/or processes.
- Classification/evaluation of the type and quantities of commodities in use and in storage.
- Description of the existing/proposed storage configurations (e.g., palletized or rack storage heights).
- Documentation and evaluation of the fire protection features such as: Automatic Sprinkler System, Fire Detection System, Smoke and Heat Removal, Draft Curtains, and Fire Resistance Rated Construction
The final commodity letter serves as a basis of design for the required fire protection systems and building features, and ensures that the fire department is adequately prepared to respond to the building in the event of an emergency.