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 ASCE 7-16

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Tirza Austin's profile image
Tirza Austin posted 06-03-2022 12:15 PM
  1. Is it implied through Sections 13.1.1 and 13.1.4 that storage cabinets and bookshelves greater than 6-ft in height are required to be anchored? For example, if a permit applicant decided they didn’t want to permanently anchor storage cabinets over 6-ft in height (let’s say they are 7’-6” in height), it seems that Chapter 13 does not apply since Section 13.1.1 states the scope is limited to “nonstructural components that are permanently attached to structures…”. However the associated commentary to Section 13.1.1, and the exemptions listed in Section 13.1.4 seems to imply that storage cabinets and bookshelves greater than 6-ft in height should be anchored.

 

  1. Would gondola style storage/display shelving used in grocery and retail stores be considered storage cabinets for application of Section 13.1.1 and 13.1.4 as described above?

For example:

There is a current project scenario where the design professional is proposing to not anchor these shelving systems for a Target store (they are greater than 6-ft in height but under 8-ft in height); we’re not currently seeing a direct code citation path for a plans examiner to require that these be anchored (in accordance with ASCE 7 Ch. 13 reqts).

**** This question was submitted to ASCE staff and posted here so it can be answered and viewed to share knowledge with the entire ASCE community. 

Ronald Hamburger's profile image
Ronald Hamburger posted 06-03-2022 03:15 PM Best Answer

“The provisions of ASCE 7-16 Chapter 13 cannot be circumvented by not attaching nonstructural components to the structure. Components falling from structures have historically been responsible for many deaths and injuries. The intent of Chapter 13 is for these components to be anchored to the structure. Because of questions such as the ones you are posing, ASCE 7-22 was specifically revised to clarify this point. The following are specific responses to your questions:

 

  1. Yes, storage cabinets and bookshelves greater than 6-ft in height are required to be anchored.
  2. Yes, the display shelving in your question would be considered storage cabinets.”