FM Global

Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets 8-28

May 2000
Page 1 of 12

PULPWOOD AND OUTDOOR LOG STORAGE

Table of Contents
Page

1.0 SCOPE ................................................................................................................................................... 3

1.1 Changes .......................................................................................................................................... 3
2.0 LOSS PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS ....................................................................................... 3
2.1 Human Element ............................................................................................................................... 3
2.1.1 Fire Fighting ........................................................................................................................... 3
2.1.2 Hot Work ................................................................................................................................ 3
2.2 Operation and Maintenance ............................................................................................................ 3
2.2.1 Fire Prevention ...................................................................................................................... 3
2.3 Occupancy ....................................................................................................................................... 4
2.3.1 Size and Separation .............................................................................................................. 4
2.3.1.1 Stacked Piles ............................................................................................................. 4
2.3.1.2 Ranked Piles ............................................................................................................. 5
2.4 Protection ......................................................................................................................................... 5
2.4.1 Alarms .................................................................................................................................... 5
2.4.2 Water Supply ......................................................................................................................... 5
2.4.3 Monitor Nozzles ..................................................................................................................... 6
2.4.4 Hydrant and Hose Equipment ............................................................................................... 9
3.0 SUPPORT FOR RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................................. 10
3.1 Loss History ................................................................................................................................... 10
3.2 Description and Hazards ............................................................................................................... 10
3.2.1 Storage Configuration ......................................................................................................... 10
3.2.2 Units of Measure ................................................................................................................. 10
3.2.3 Burning Characteristics ....................................................................................................... 10
3.3 Size and Separation of Piles ......................................................................................................... 11
3.4 Fire Fighting ................................................................................................................................... 11
3.4.1 Monitor Nozzles and Towers ............................................................................................... 11
4.0 REFERENCES ...................................................................................................................................... 11
4.1 FM Global ...................................................................................................................................... 11
APPENDIX A GLOSSARY OF TERMS ..................................................................................................... 12
APPENDIX B DOCUMENT REVISION HISTORY ..................................................................................... 12

List of Figures
Fig. Typical layout for three 30,000 (76,000 m2) cord pulpwood piles. .................................................... 4
1.
Fig. Typical layout for three 45,000 (113,000 m2) cord pulpwood piles. ................................................... 5
2.
Fig. 3.
Water supplies for stacked pulpwood piles. ....................................................................................... 6
Fig. 3.
Water supplies for stacked pulpwood piles (metric). .......................................................................... 7
Fig. 4.
Range of monitor-nozzles streams. .................................................................................................... 7
Fig. 5.
Monitor nozzle, piping, and steel tower. ............................................................................................. 8
Fig. 6.
Recommended layout for fire-protection equipment for 20,000 cord stacked piles of
various dimensions. ............................................................................................................................ 9
Fig. 7. Cross sections of pulpwood piles shown in Fig. 6 and trajectories of monitor-nozzles
streams. .............................................................................................................................................. 9

©2000 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of Factory Mutual Insurance Company.
8-28 Pulpwood and Outdoor Log Storage
Page 2 FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets

Fig. 8. How fire burns in pulpwood or log storage. Process of combustion and updraft in
stacked piles. .................................................................................................................................... 11

List of Tables
Table 1. Water Supplies for Ranked Piles ..................................................................................................... 6
Table 2. Estimate of Cords Piled by Conveyor or Stacker .......................................................................... 10

©2000 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

Pulpwood and Outdoor Log Storage 8-28
FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets Page 3

1.0 SCOPE
This data sheet covers the hazards and protection of pulpwood and outdoor log storage.
Wood chip, lumber and wastepaper storage are covered by other data sheets.

1.1 Changes
May 2000. This revision of the document has been reorganized to provide a consistent format.

2.0 LOSS PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS

2.1 Human Element

2.1.1 Fire Fighting

2.1.1.1 Organize and maintain a trained fire brigade on each shift The group should be as large as practi-
cal (20-30 persons), with a much larger group available in an emergency.
2.1.1.2 Instruct the group in the importance of attacking fire promptly, digging down to the seat of the fire,
and other specialized methods.
2.1.1.3 Watchmen should be instructed in the use of monitor nozzles and in the importance of summoning
aid promptly.
2.1.1.4 Proper maintenance of fire fighting equipment is paramount. Fire pumps, monitors, hydrants, hoses,
etc., should be inspected regularly and maintained.
2.1.1.5 The public fire department and Plant Emergency Organization should be notified immediately upon
the discovery of a fire, regardless of its size.

2.1.2 Hot Work

2.1.2.1 A permit system should be used to supervise cutting and welding operations in log storage areas.

2.2 Operation and Maintenance

2.2.1 Fire Prevention

2.2.1.1 Motor and conveyor housings should be of noncombustible construction.
2.2.1.2 Properly lubricate moving parts of conveyors. Do not run conveyors through steel troughs unless
water sprays are operating.
2.2.1.3 Install and maintain spark arresters on stacks of locomotives, engines, vehicles and waste-burning
boilers.
2.2.1.4 Do not use dynamite to free frozen piles. Use such methods as winch-and-cable drag, power rake,
or grab bucket.
2.2.1.5 Strictly enforce ‘‘No Smoking’’ rules.
2.2.1.6 Remove wood refuse, rotted wood and bark from piles of pulpwood and equipment used in storage
areas.
2.2.1.7 Remove dry grass, brush, and rubbish. Maintain order and neatness throughout the storage area.
A 100 ft (30 m) clear space should be provided for light brush exposures and 200 ft (60 m) for forested areas.
2.2.1.8 Remove all sheds and unprotected buildings from wood yards.
2.2.1.9 Provide continuous hourly recorded watchman service at stacked piles and at extensive yards of
ranked piles.
2.2.1.10 Wet down stacked piles and the surrounding ground once or twice daily during dry weather.
2.2.1.11 Vehicle fueling operations should be conducted away from storage areas.

©2000 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

8-28 Pulpwood and Outdoor Log Storage
Page 4 FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets

2.3 Occupancy

2.3.1 Size and Separation

2.3.1.1 Stacked Piles

2.3.1.1.1 The minimum separation between stacked pulpwood piles, regardless of capacity, should be 100 ft
(30 m) to permit fire fighters to operate effectively. Figure 1 shows advisable pile size (30,000 cords) (109,000
m3) and recommended separation between multiple units of this capacity. Figures 1 and 2 show
recommended separation between stacked piles of 30,000 and 45,000 cords (109,000 and 163,000 m3),
respectively. Storage requirements, available land, and the economics of wood handling may result in stor-
age piles of even greater capacity. Preferably, pile sizes should be limited to 30,000 cords (109,000 m3).

(568 m3/h) (0.86 mPa)

2-2500 GPM/125 PSI
Fire pumps

Mill

(0.31 m)
20”
Building
Tidal River

m)
20” (0.31
(27 m)
90’

(12 m)

40’
40’

(12 m)

220‘ (67 m)

m)
10’ 250‘ (76 m) 10’
(3 m) (3 m)

.31
Side sketch showing section 20” (0
of pile and monitor nozzles
ks
er trac
Stack

Pulp Cove
Cords

(568 m3/h) (0.86 mPa)

2-2500 GPM/125 PSI
(3 m) anking

Fire pumps
m)
.41
” (0 0
10’ R

16 ,00 5’
30 48 8 m)
300
16

14
(
m)
” (0

4m
’ (9

”
10
.41

(25

8” mm) ”
1m

16 1 m)
m)

3
(20 4
8” mm) (0.
)

) m)
.41 m 3
(46
16” (0 (20
0’
16” (0.4 15
1 m)
0C ords ) ks
30,000 30,00 8m ac
mm)

Cords 485’
(14 r tr
(67 m)

ke
220’

10”
(254

c
Sta
(76 m)
250’

485’ (14 8”
g
ankin
8” mm)
)

8 m) (203
(0.41 m

10’ R)
mm)
16”

(203
10’ Ran )
(3 m) king 150’
(46 m (3 m 0 40 60 120 160 200 240 280 300
m)
(0.41
16” Scale in Feet

16
” (0.41 m)
Stacker
tracks

Fig. 1. Typical layout for three 30,000 (76,000 m2) cord pulpwood piles.

2.3.1.1.2 At all storage sites a clear space of at least 100 ft (30 m) should be maintained between the base
of piles and main buildings. Clear separation of 300 ft (91 m) or greater may be advisable where piles are
high and have large side surfaces parallel to vulnerable important buildings.
2.3.1.1.3 It is necessary to limit pile widths and heights so that peaks will be within range of monitor nozzles
located along the sides of the piles. Stacked piles should not usually be over 200 ft (61 m) wide, but if moni-
tor nozzles can be located to reach every part of the surface of the piles, the maximum width may be 250 ft
(76 m) (see Fig. 2). Forty feet (12 m) is the maximum practical height for monitor nozzle towers. Pile height
should be limited to 95 ft (29 m) maximum to ensure that the peak is within the range of monitor nozzle
streams and to limit the size of the pile.

©2000 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

Pulpwood and Outdoor Log Storage 8-28
FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets Page 5

(568 m3/h) (0.86 mPa)

2-2500 GPM/125 PSI
Fire pumps

(0.51 m)
Mill

20”
Tidal River Building
(568 m3/h) (0.86 mPa)

m)
2-2500 GPM/125 PSI

20” (0.51
Fire pumps

(25.9 m)
85’
20

25’ 25’
” (0

20’ 20’
300

(7.6 m) (6.1 m) (6.1 m) (7.6 m)

.51

200‘ (61 m)
’ (91

m)

220‘ (67 m)
m)

Side sketch showing section

of pile and monitor nozzles

)
1m
20” (0.5
’
200m)
(61

0’
20”

)
30
m
’

tracks
1
220m) (0.51 m)

(9
(67
45,

Stacker
000
20’.1 m)
(6
Sta

795

Pulp Cove
Ra
cke

’
nkin
(24

Co

20”
r

2m

rds
g

(0.5
)

”
1m

20 1 m)
rds 42 m)
trac

(0.5
Co (2
20”

5’
ks

0 79
,00 g
45 kin
(0.5

an
1m

’R )
20 .1 m ”
)

( 6 0 ) ks
(2

2 1m ac
8” mm)
03

(0.51
m) (0.5 r tr
ke
20

20”
tac
8”
0’

)
(2

03 mm
8” mm

S
03

(2
8”
(6

” ) mm)
10 mm
1m

(203
45,000
)

)
s (61 m
)

4
Cord
5
(2 200’
10” )
mm

795’ m)
(242
(254

0 40 60 120 160 200 240 280 300

20’ ing
(6.1 m) Rank m) Scale in Feet
(0.51
20”
Stacker
tracks

Fig. 2. Typical layout for three 45,000 (113,000 m2) cord pulpwood piles.

2.3.1.2 Ranked Piles

2.3.1.2.1 Individual piles should be kept as small as practicable, preferably less than 30,000 cords (109,000
m3). Pile areas should be such that no point would be over 50 ft (15 m) from a fire lane to permit effective
application of hose streams. Fire lanes should be wide enough for fire fighting operations, generally at least
25 ft (7.6 m). Piles totaling 30,000 cords (109,000 m3) should be separated from other piles by a clear space
of at least 100 ft (30 m). Separation from main buildings should be at least 100 ft (30 m).

2.4 Protection

2.4.1 Alarms
2.4.1.1 Provide for prompt alarm in case of fire (e.g., horn, bell, loud whistle). Provide a complete Class A
or B manual fire alarm system for yards containing piles 20,000 cords (73,000 m3) or larger, or where storage
is remote from the main plant.

2.4.2 Water Supply

2.4.2.1 Provide water supplies at 100 to 110 psi (0.69 to 0.76 mPa) residual pressure at wood yard hydrants
and monitors. Figure 3 shows the water supplies needed for stacked pulpwood piles.
2.4.2.2 Stacked piles of 20,000 cords (73,000 m3) or less generally need 12 and 14 in. (305 and 356 mm)
main feeders and 8 and 10 in. (203 and 254 mm) laterals.

©2000 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

8-28 Pulpwood and Outdoor Log Storage
Page 6 FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets

2.4.2.3 Sixteen inch (406 mm) feeders are usually needed at stacked piles of 30,000 cords (109,000 m3)
and 20 in. (508 mm) feeders at stacked piles of 45,000 cords (163,000 m3) with 10 and 12 in. (254 and
305 mm) laterals.
2.4.2.4 Most ranked piles need 8, 10 and 12 inch (203, 254, and 305 mm) mains. Ranked pile storage greater
than 30,000 cords (109,000 m3) generally needs 12 and 14 in. (305 and 356 mm) main feeders and 8 and
10 in. (203 and 254 mm) laterals.
2.4.2.5 For ranked piles, provide water supplies at wood yard hydrants and monitors as shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Water Supplies for Ranked Piles

Number of Cords Cubic Meters Water Supply,
in One Yard in One Yard gal/min
Under 10,000 Under 36,300 1,500 (340 m3/h)
10,000 36,300 2,000 (454 m3/h)
20,000 73,000 2,500 (568 m3/h)
30,000 109,000 3,000 (681 m3/h)
40,000 145,000 4,000 (908 m3/h)

2.4.3 Monitor Nozzles

2.4.3.1 Install monitor nozzles around piles so that every part of the pile surface is within range of at least
one ‘‘good’’ 2 in. (51 mm) stream (Fig. 4). Maximum spacing should be 150 ft (46 m) along the side of the pile
and 220 ft (67 mm) across the pile. If width of pile ranges from 220 to 250 ft (67 to 76 m) and ranking is
low, locate monitor nozzles inside the pile limits and provide protection against falling logs (Figs. 6 and 7).

15

14

13 3
(135,000 m )
Individual piles 30,000
cords or larger
12

11
GPM - thousands

10
Flow

9
Individual piles not exceeding
3
25,000 cords (112,500 m ) each
8
Storage less than 25,000 cords
Amount in storage cords Meter supply GPM
7 Cords Cu. met.
5,000 22,000 1000
10,000 45,000 2000
6 15,000 67,000 3000
20,000 90,000 4000

5
20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150
50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 270 300 325 350 375

Total storage in wood yards - cords - thousands

- cubic meters - thousands

Fig. 3. Water supplies for stacked pulpwood piles.

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Pulpwood and Outdoor Log Storage 8-28
FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets Page 7

0.90

0.80
Individual piles
3
135,000 m or larger

Flow - m /sec
0.70

3
0.60
Individual piles not exceeding
3
112,500 m each
0.50
3
Storage less than 63,000 m 3
Amount in storage, cords Water supply, m /sec
0.30 22,500 0.09
45,000 0.13
3
67,500 0.19
Total storage in wood yard m 90,000 0.35
0.30
0 1000 2000 3000 4000

Fig. 3. Water supplies for stacked pulpwood piles (metric).

30
Distance as a “good” stream
110 1½ in. nozzle at various pressures
100 Distance as a “good” stream Vertical distance as a good stream (meters) 25
Pr
1½ in. nozzle at various pressures es
su
Vertical distance as a “good” stream (feet)

90 re
at
20 no
80 zz
le

0.
70

06
80 90 15

M
0.

0.

pa
60 40

50
60 70

p
0.

ito
50 30

t
40 50 10
40 0. 0.
15 20
30 30 5
20
20

10 0
0
-10 -5
-20
-30 -10
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Horizontal distance as a “good” stream (feet) Horizontal distance as a “good” stream (meters)

Fig. 5a. Fig. 5b.

30
Distance as a “good” stream
110 2 in. nozzle at various pressures
Vertical distance as a good stream (meters)

Distance as a “good” stream 25

100
2 in. nozzle at various pressures
Vertical distance as a “good” stream (feet)

90
20
80 0.
50
0.4
70 0
90 15
60
80 0.
50 30
10
70

0.2
40 0
50
60

0.

30 40 5
15

30
20
20

10 0
0
-10 -5
-20
-30 -10
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Horizontal distance as a “good” stream (feet) Horizontal distance as a “good” stream (meters)

Fig. 5c. Fig. 5d.

Fig. 4. Range of monitor-nozzles streams. The curves show the range of ‘‘good’’ monitor-nozzle fire streams in still air
or light winds (5 mph, 2.2 m/s). The curves represent the point where the stream loses its continuity. Water in good
quantity will be thrown much farther, but will be in the form of heavy rain, easily carried away by the wind. In adverse
winds of 10 mph (4.5 m/s) or more, the range may be shortened as much as 40%.

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8-28 Pulpwood and Outdoor Log Storage
Page 8 FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets

2.4.3.2 Six to eight 2 in. (51 mm) monitor nozzles are usually needed at each 20,000 (73,000 m3) and 30,000
cord (109,000 m3) pile, depending on the length, width, and height of the pile. As many as ten or twelve
such nozzles are needed at each 45,000 cord (163,000 m3) pile.
Monitor-nozzle discharges for various tip diameters at various pressures can be calculated using informa-
tion in Data Sheet 3-0, Hydraulics of Fire Protection Systems.
2.4.3.3 Monitor-nozzle towers are advised at piles over 60 ft (18 m) high and at lower piles if ranked edges pre-
vent the stream from reaching over the peak. Monitor towers are usually steel structures with platform and
ladder (Fig. 5). Single pipes serving as both tower and waterway also are used. Towers as high as 40 ft (12 m)
may be constructed of a concrete-filled pipe and a second pipe to supply the nozzle. Monitor towers should
be constructed and designed to withstand impact of falling logs.

Monitor nozzle

Taper reducer
6 in. (152 mm) to
4 in. (102 mm)

2 in. (51 mm)

Plugged
inspection
Indicator outlet
post

Gate valve Drain valve

6 in.
(152 mm)

Fig. 5. Monitor nozzle, piping, and steel tower.

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Pulpwood and Outdoor Log Storage 8-28
FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets Page 9

Fence & Property Line

Pump house Hydrant & fully equipped hose house

16 in. (406 mm) 12 in. (305 mm) 12 in. (305 mm)

Division valves Monitor nozzle inside piling
limits protected with concrete

10 in. (254 mm)

Monitor nozzles on towers barrier or

8 in. (203 mm)

12 in. (305 mm) ranked wood
Pile No. 1
Pile No. 3 20,000 cords - maximum

Not over 220’ (167 m)

20,000 cords - maximum 350’ (107 m) x 250’ (76 m) x 90’ (27 m)
10’ (3 m) ranking

220’ (167 m)
600’ (183 m) x 200’ (61 m) x 65’ (19.8 m)
Concrete

Not over
Good man. no ranking Good man.
nozzle barrier
nozzle
coverage coverage

5” (1.5 m)
100 ft. 6 Monitor nozzles on
8 Monitor nozzles on 5 ft (1.5 m) platforms or (30 m) 40 ft (42 m) towers

Stacker
7 monitor nozzles on 15 ft (4.6 m) towers

12 in. (305 mm) 12 in. (305 mm)

River

Conveyor 100 ft.

Stacker

8 in. (203 mm)

(30 m)

Pile No. 4 Pile No. 2

5” (1.5 m)
Good man.
Not over 220’ (167 m)

20,000 cords - maximum

Not over 220’ (167 m)

20,000 cords - maximum nozzle
coverage
conveyor

390’ (119 m) x 200’ (61 m) x 85’ (26 m) 2 - hose 500’ (152 m) x 220’ (67 m) x 73’ (22 m)
ranking connections no ranking
Good man.
10’ (3 m) nozzle Monitor

Conveyor
12 in. (305 mm)

coverage

10 in. (254 mm)

nozzle
6 monitor nozzles on 25 ft (7.6 m) towers 7 monitor nozzles on 20 ft (6.1 m) towers
&

Fire dept.
pumper
siding
Suction facilities for

conn.
100 ft.
(30 m) 12” (305 mm)
F.D. pumpers

R.R.

Yard Mains 110 lb. To primary water supply,

(0.76 mPa) pressure Fire wall additional pumps
Central fire station containing & pulpwood piles
Wood
hose reel, portable deluge
Roadway for fire dept. preparing nozzles, watchman’s station &
0 50 100 200 building fire alarm box
Scale - Feet

Fig. 6. Recommended layout for fire-protection equipment for 20,000 cord stacked piles of various dimensions.

80 (24 m) 80 (24 m)
35 72 lb (0.496 mPa)
°e
60 (18 m) lev nozzle tip pressure 60 (18 m)
. 30 lb (0.552 mPa)
.
40 (12 m) nozzle tip pressure lev 40 (12 m) 40 84 lb (0.579 mPa)
°e °
Pile No. 1
40 ft (12 m) tower 35 elev. 35 ele nozzle tip pressure
15 ft (4.6 m) ° ° e v.
20 (6 m) 30 Pile 20 (6 m)
No. 3 lev
tower . 5 ft (1.5 m) platform

6” (152 mm) Monitor nozzles 220’ (67 m) apart across pile 6” (152 mm) 6” 10’ 200 ft (61 m) 6” (152 mm)
250 ft (76 m) 110 lb (0.76 mPa) (152 mm) (3 m) Monitor nozzles 220’ (67 m) apart across pile 110 lb (0.76 mPa)
yard main pressure yard main pressure

80 (24 m)
80 (24 m)

ker 60 (18 m) 40
Stac 40 60 (18 m) °
°e 80 lb (0.55 mPa) 35 elev 78 lb (0.54 mPa)
40 (12 m) 30 le 40 (12 m) °e .
°e
lev v. nozzle tip pressure lev
.
nozzle tip pressure
.
Pile 20 (6 m) No. 2 20 ft (6 m) tower Pile 20 (6 m) No. 4 25 ft (7.6 m) tower

6” (152 mm) 220 ft (67 m) 6” (152 mm) 6” 10’ 200 ft (61 m) 6” (152 mm)
Conveyor Monitor nozzles 220’ (67 m) apart across pile 110 lb (0.76 mPa) (152 mm) (3 m) Monitor nozzles 220’ (67 m) apart across pile 110 lb (0.76 mPa)
yard main pressure yard main pressure

Fig. 7. Cross sections of pulpwood piles shown in Fig. 6 and trajectories of monitor-nozzles streams.

2.4.3.4 Each monitor nozzle should be controlled by an indicator post gate valve. Provide a drain below grade
for exposed piping and a 1-1⁄2 or 2 in. (38 or 51 mm) plug in the riser for inspecting and sounding the pipe
in winter. Equip all conveying systems with hose connections.

2.4.4 Hydrant and Hose Equipment

2.4.4.1 Install three-way hydrants with independent gates and space them about 250 ft (76 m) apart. Two-way
hydrants spaced about 200 ft (61 m) apart in each direction may be used at ranked piles.

©2000 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

8-28 Pulpwood and Outdoor Log Storage
Page 10 FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets

2.4.4.2 Provide completely equipped hose houses and a reserve supply of hose on reels. Also provide two
or three portable deluge nozzles at yards having 20,000 cord (73,000 m3) piles, whether stacked or ranked,
and at least one nozzle at yards having smaller individual piles. At 30,000 to 45,000 cord (109,000 to 163,000
m3) piles, provide four to six portable deluge nozzles.

3.0 SUPPORT FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

3.1 Loss History

The most common causes of fires are: sparks from conveyors, sparks from passing locomotives or other
vehicles, cutting and welding operations, and smoking.

3.2 Description and Hazards

3.2.1 Storage Configuration

Log and pulpwood storage occurs in two configurations: stacked piles and ranked piles. Stacked piles,
sometimes called ‘‘tumbled’’ piles, are cone-shaped piles formed by conveying and randomly depositing logs
in the center of the pile. Ranked piles are evenly arranged, usually by conveyors or cranes.

3.2.2 Units of Measure

Several units of measure have been devised for these types of storage. In ranked piles, the amount of wood
that occupies 128 ft3 of space (3.6 m3), including voids, is a cord. In stacked piles, the information in Table
2 may be used to estimate the number of cords as roughly piled by a conveyor or stacker:

Table 2. Estimate of Cords Piled by Conveyor or Stacker

Wood Length Type of Wood ft3/cord (m3/cord)
2 ft (0.61 m) barked wood 150 (4.2)
4 ft (1.2 m) barked wood 165 (4.7)
4 ft (1.2 m) unbarked rough wood 170 (4.8)

The number of cunits in a cord of pulpwood or wood logs varies with the size and nature of the wood. One
cunit of Ontario wood averages 1.11 cords; one cord, 0.90 cunits. For conversion to board feet, 1 ft3 equals
12 board feet.

3.2.3 Burning Characteristics

Combustion of wood takes place in two stages. The first is destructive distillation, such as occurs in a charcoal
kiln; the heat drives off flammable gases from the wood and leaves charcoal. The second stage involves
burning of the gases in the air above the wood, and burning of the charcoal combined with oxygen, forming
an intensely hot and luminous bed of coals. The heat from burning both gases and charcoal distills more
volatiles from the wood and increases the temperature and rate of combustion. The acceleration of
combustion is limited only by the rate at which air can be brought into contact with the burning wood.
The orderly arrangement of ranked piles restricts air circulation and the surfaces available to burn. Once
the fire is established in a ranked pile, however, an intense fire will still result, but will propagate at a slower
rate and radiate less heat than a fire in a similarly sized stacked pile.
A strong updraft is characteristic of fires in stacked piles of logs. Many fires start near the top of the pile,
and falling embers carry the fire downward into the interior. With abundant air spaces between the logs, a
strong draft from the outside inward tends to hold the fire in the interior (Fig. 8). The logs serve as a grate.
As a fire reaches the center of the pile, it begins to burn slowly toward the sides. After the fire is well under
way, the updraft created by the heat causes a strong suction at the base of the fire. With such a powerful
updraft, hose streams cannot reach the seat of combustion, but are instead either partially evaporated or
carried away by the updraft It is extremely important to attack fires before much heat and thermal updraft have
developed. The best fire fighting method is to apply water to the hot coals at the base of the fire.

©2000 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

Pulpwood and Outdoor Log Storage 8-28
FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets Page 11

Gases of
combustion

Air
Air

Fig. 8. How fire burns in pulpwood or log storage. Process of combustion and updraft in stacked piles.

3.3 Size and Separation of Piles

Storage requirements and the economics of wood handling have led to very large piles of pulpwood. Where
land is scarce, the wood is stored with limited separations between piles. All the pulpwood within one storage
yard could possibly be subjected to a single catastrophe. Recommended separations, especially those
specified as minimal, will aid in fire control in three important ways: 1) by providing access areas for manual
fire fighting by fixed monitor nozzles, portable deluge nozzles, and hose streams; 2) by reducing the amount
of heat radiated to adjacent piles; and 3) in combination with wetting of pile surfaces, by reducing the
probability of igniting adjacent piles by flying sparks. There is no practical way to determine the space
separation that would positively stop spread of fire from one pile to another. Width of burning surface and
height of pile rather than volume of the pile, are the essential elements in radiant heat transfer. In addition to
the configuration of radiating and receiving surfaces, wind direction, and promptness and effectiveness of
manual fire fighting are other important variables.
Separation of important mill buildings from pulpwood and log piles is vital because possible damage to
production depends upon vulnerability of the exposed building as determined by height, wall openings,
combustibility of construction, and occupancy, as well as the factors described above regarding exposing the
pulpwood pile.

3.4 Fire Fighting

Efficient fire fighting by both plant personnel and fire departments has often been the deciding factor between
relatively small and very heavy damage. Fires in large pulpwood piles have been successfully extinguished
by well organized fire brigades using proper fire fighting equipment, whose leaders knew how to handle this
type of fire.
Prompt discovery and alarm and prompt application of large amounts of water are the major factors in bringing
pulpwood fires under control. Adequate monitor nozzles, close-range fire fighting with hose streams, and
removal of surface wood to reach the actual seat of the fire are all essential.

3.4.1 Monitor Nozzles and Towers

Hose streams are inadequate as sole protection for pulpwood and log piles. Their inability to maintain direction
and force to reach the seat of a fire at long range limits their effectiveness and has resulted in the complete
destruction of large piles. Monitor nozzles have a much longer effective horizontal and vertical range and,
when properly located and promptly applied, have aided greatly in extinguishing fires in well arranged
pulpwood and log piles.

4.0 REFERENCES

4.1 FM Global
Data Sheet 3-0, Hydraulics of Fire Protection Systems.

©2000 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

8-28 Pulpwood and Outdoor Log Storage
Page 12 FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets

APPENDIX A GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Cunit: a measure of logs and lumber used in Canada, is 100 ft3 (2.8 m3) of solid wood without voids.
Ranked piles: piles that are evenly arranged, usually by conveyors or cranes.
Stacked piles (sometimes called ‘‘tumbled’’): cone-shaped piles formed by conveying and random depositing
of logs in the center of the pile.

APPENDIX B DOCUMENT REVISION HISTORY

May 2000. This revision of the document has been reorganized to provide a consistent format.

©2000 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.