Chapter 5

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS FOR STORAGE

RACKS IN AREAS ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC

5.1 SCOPE

Presented in this chapter is a discussion of the seismic performance expectations for single
selective steel storage racks that store contents stored at least 8 feet above the floor in areas
accessible to the public.

5.2 SEISMIC SAFETY CONCERNS

During the past few decades, the number of large public warehouse stores (often referred to as
big-box stores) across the nation has grown significantly, changing both consumer buying habits
and the public’s risk of injury during earthquakes. Whereas traditional retailers typically store
goods and products outside the retail space in limited access storage rooms and warehouse
facilities, big-box stores keep goods in close proximity to the consumer at all times. Typically,
shoppers in these stores browse in aisles between steel storage racks, 14 to 18 feet in height, that
hold pallets of inventory, some of which can be very heavy.

During an earthquake, occupant safety in a big-box store depends on both the structural
performance of the building and on the performance of the storage racks and their contents.
Earthquake ground motions can cause storage racks to collapse or overturn if they are not
properly designed, installed, maintained, and loaded. In addition, goods stored on the racks may
spill or topple off. Both occurrences pose a life-safety risk to the exposed shopping public.

5.3 SEISMIC PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

A seismic performance objective consists of one or more performance goals, each consisting of a
target performance level coupled with a specific earthquake hazard. The explicit definition of
seismic performance objectives provides an unambiguous basis for design and tools needed for
seismic risk decision making. This project included a review of design standards currently in use
with a view toward their improvement. Thus, the seismic performance objectives articulated in
this chapter were developed within the framework of current code and standards procedures with
the NEHRP Recommended Provisions serving as the base.

5.3.1 Performance Expectations for Buildings. The goal of the NEHRP Recommended
Provisions is to present criteria for the design and construction of new structures subject to
earthquake ground motions in order to protect life safety. For ground motions in excess of the
design levels, the intent of the NEHRP Recommended Provisions is that a structure have a low
likelihood of collapse.

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Under the NEHRP Recommended Provisions, buildings and other structures are designed using
design basis earthquake (DBE) ground motion parameters (SDS and SD1) that are defined as 2/3 of
the maximum considered earthquake (MCE) ground motion parameters (SS and S1) modified by
soil factors. For most regions in the country, the MCE ground motion is defined with a uniform
probability of exceedance of 2 percent in 50 years. In regions of very high seismicity (ground
motion parameter values greater than SS = 1.5 and S1 = 0.6), the MCE is defined as the lesser of
either the probabilistic value or 150 percent of the mean ground motion calculated for a
deterministic characteristic earthquake on major active faults.

Buildings and other structures are designed to provide the life safety level of performance for the
DBE. For buildings and building-like structures, the lower bound estimate of the margin against
collapse is judged to be 1.5. Hence, collapse prevention performance is expected to be achieved
for the adjusted MCE.

5.3.2 System Performance Expectations for Storage Racks. Storage racks are considered to
be nonbuilding structures in the NEHRP Recommended Provisions. However, consistent with
building design requirements, storage racks should be capable of providing life safety in the
DBE and collapse prevention should be achieved in the MCE.

The seismic performance of storage racks consists of two components: the seismic performance
of the rack itself and the response of stored contents. Racks can pose safety hazards if they
collapse, partially collapse, or overturn. Contents can pose falling hazards if they become
dislodged and fall to accessible areas.

Life safety performance in the DBE is achieved if the following conditions are met:

• Failure of components that could result in rack collapse or contents shedding is

prevented,

• Rack overturning is prevented, and

• There is no loss of stored items from rack shelves supported 8 feet or more above the
floor.

Collapse prevention performance in the MCE is achieved if the following conditions are met:

• Rack collapse is prevented and

• Rack overturning is prevented.

While preventing shedding of contents is not explicitly stated as a goal for collapse prevention
performance, measures undertaken to protect contents for life safety performance will help limit
contents shedding anticipated under more extreme seismic excitations. However, some injuries
or even loss of life associated with contents shedding is probable at the collapse prevention
performance level.

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 Performance Expectations for Storage Racks in Areas Accessible to the Public

The guidance presented in this document represents the minimum recognized criteria similar to
that contained in the model building codes. There may be special situations or risks where a
higher level of performance is desired. Such situations would include a very high level or period
of public use and, therefore, an increased level of life safety risk or the storage of contents of
such a high value that a higher level of performance would be justified. The design and
installation of storage racks to meet higher performance levels is not precluded in this document
and, in fact, some of the guidance contained herein may be useful in meeting such goals.

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