Page | 118 Class III- a product fashioned from wood, paper, natural fibers, or Group C plastics with or without cartons, boxes, or crates and with or without pallets. A Class III commodity shall be permitted to contain a limited amount (5 percent by weight or volume or less) ofGroup A or Group B plastics (§5.6.3.3).
Class IV - a product, with or without pallets, that meets one of the following criteria: product constructed partially or totally of Group B plastics; product consists offree-flowing Group A plastic materials; product contains within itself or its packaging an appreciable amount (5 to 15 percent by weight or 5 to
25 percent by volume) of Group A plastics.
Group A, B, and C Plastics - Plastics, elastomers and rubbers. If the material to be stored contains plastic, elastomer, or rubber, a group classification (A, B, or C) is also determined according to its composition in order to determine the protection system requirements. The specific Group depends on the type of plastic, elastomer or rubber (§5 .6.4).
NFPA 13 provides a list ofcommodity classes for various commodities in Table A.5.6.3. Different types of batteries and the recommended commodity classification for those batteries are mentioned:
• Dry cells (non-lithium or similar exotic metals) packaged in cartons: Class I (for example alkaline cells);
• Dry cells (non-lithium or similar exotic metals) blister packed in cartons: Class II (for example alkaline cells);
• Automobile batteries - filled: Class I (typically lead acid batteries with water- based electrolyte); and
• Truck or larger batteries, empty or filled Group A Plastics (typically lead acid batteries with water-based electrolyte).
NFPA 13 currently does not provide a specific recommendation for the commodity classification (or fire protection strategies) for lithium-ion cells or complete batteries containing several cells.
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commodities is primarily based on comparing the commodity to the definitions for the various
According to the NFPA Automatic Sprinkler System Handbook: commodity classes."
"Classification ofactual
Lithium-ion cells and batteries might be compared to truck or larger batteries. However, a number of features specific to lithium-ion batteries could make this classification inaccurate and the recommended fire suppression may not be appropriate:
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Dubay C (ed.), Automatic Sprinkler System Handbook; §5.6.l Commentary, National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA, 2010.
1100034.000 AOFO 0711 CM01
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