Although it is a paper product, roll paper is not protected as Class III. NFPA 13 deals with it under separate rules based on the paper's weight and how the rolls are stored.
Quick reference
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Heavyweight | ≥ 20 lb/1000 ft² (≈ 98 g/m²): kraft, linerboard, board |
| Medium weight | 10–20 lb/1000 ft² (≈ 49–98 g/m²): newsprint, most printing and writing papers |
| Lightweight | < 10 lb/1000 ft² (≈ 49 g/m²): thin papers |
| Tissue | Regardless of weight; most severe protection group |
| Arrangement variables | Vertical (on-end) / horizontal; banded / unbanded; wrapped / unwrapped; open, closed, standard array |
| FM Global | DS 8-21 Roll Paper Storage |
What it is
Two variables drive roll paper design: the basis weight of the paper and the storage arrangement. NFPA 13 classes paper by weight: heavyweight at 20 lb per 1000 ft² (about 98 g/m²) and above, medium weight at 10–20 lb (about 49–98 g/m²), and lightweight below 10 lb (about 49 g/m²). Tissue (facial tissue, toilet paper and similar soft, absorbent papers) is a separate and most severe group regardless of weight.
Typical examples
- Reel stores at printing works and newspaper plants
- Raw material stores at corrugated board plants
- Finished goods stores at paper mills
- Parent roll stores at tissue converting plants
How packaging and plastics change the class
With roll paper, the thing that changes the protection is the arrangement, not the packaging. Vertical (on-end) storage is the most common. Banding limits the unwinding of outer layers. In unbanded lightweight paper, fire peels the outer layers; the loose sheets increase surface area and speed up the fire. A heavy kraft wrapper protects the outer surface. An open array with gaps between rolls creates more flue effect than a tight array. The same paper can face very different protection criteria depending on arrangement.
Protection approach
NFPA 13 gives ceiling sprinkler criteria for roll paper based on paper class, storage height, ceiling height and arrangement, and ESFR may be used in some arrangements. Tissue and unbanded lightweight paper are the most severe cases. Paper absorbs water and gets heavier, and wetted stacks of rolls can topple, which is a serious hazard during post-fire operations. Design values are not quoted here; read them from the roll paper tables of the edition in force.
FM Global equivalent
FM Global covers roll paper in a separate data sheet, DS 8-21 Roll Paper Storage. FM's paper weight classes and arrangement definitions are similar to NFPA's, but the protection tables differ. For a site example see the paper mill article.
The commodity class depends on what goes into the warehouse today. The commodity and storage arrangement assumed in the design report should be recorded in writing and rechecked whenever operations change. For the overall framework see NFPA 13 commodity classification, and for a quick check on whether ESFR can be used, the ESFR suitability checker.
Common site mistakes
- Designing roll paper to the general storage tables on a ‘paper is Class III’ basis.
- Assessing tissue rolls as light or medium weight based on their weight.
- Missing that bands have been removed in a store designed for banded rolls.
- Switching to horizontal storage in a store designed for vertical rolls.
- Overlooking that gaps between rolls turn the arrangement into an open array.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is roll paper a Class III commodity?
No. NFPA 13 gives separate criteria for roll paper based on paper weight class and storage arrangement.
Why is tissue the most severe group?
Soft, absorbent, loosely structured tissue ignites very quickly and spreads fire fast. It is therefore treated as a separate, most severe group regardless of its weight.
Why is banded roll paper easier to protect?
Bands limit the unwinding and peeling of outer layers during a fire, reducing the burning surface area and the fire growth rate.
SprinkCalc — Fire Sprinkler Design Across Three Standards
SprinkCalc covers hazard classification, design density and area, K-factor selection, water demand and hydraulic calculations for NFPA 13, FM Global and BS EN 12845 in a single iOS app, and exports a professional PDF report.
Download SprinkCalc on the App StoreNFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems (current edition) · FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets (FM Global DS 8-21). This page summarises the definitions in our own words; for design densities, areas and height limits the edition in force and the decision of the authority having jurisdiction govern.