EN 12845 Annex G.7: Non-woven Synthetic Fabric Storage

Source: TS EN 12845+A2:2026, Clause G.7 "Non-woven synthetic fabric", G.7.1 and NOTE (EN p.150), Table G.7 and G.7.2 (EN p.151).

Non-woven synthetic fabric is one of the few products in Annex G that has a design table of its own. The standard gives this product neither a "group" name nor a storage category; it defines a density ladder that depends directly on the storage height.

Clause G.7.1: Free standing storage

Clause G.7.1 (EN p.150): "Ceiling sprinklers shall be installed using the criteria shown in Table G.7."

NOTE (EN p.150): "For storage heights above 4.1 m consideration might be given to the use of special technology sprinklers (see Annex L)."

Annex L (informative, EN p.160) states that this standard covers only the types of sprinkler specified in EN 12259-1, that the engineering of special technologies such as specific storage application sprinklers, residential sprinklers, extended coverage sprinklers and special in-rack sprinklers is currently very specialized, and that it is intended for them to be included in future editions of the standard.

Table G.7: Design criteria with roof or ceiling protection only

Source: Table G.7, EN p.151.

NOTE 1 (EN p.151): The vertical distance from the floor to the sprinkler deflectors, minus 1 m, or the highest value shown in the table, whichever is the lower.

NOTE 2 (EN p.151): Dry and alternate installations should be avoided.

The way the table is read is critical: the density is a function of the storage height and, going from 1.6 m up to 4.1 m, it almost triples from 10.0 mm/min to 30.0 mm/min. The area of operation is 260 m2 up to 2.7 m, and 300 m2 at 3.0 m and above.

Clause G.7.2: Rack storage

Clause G.7.2 (EN p.151) is two sentences: "In-rack sprinklers shall be used in accordance with Category IV requirements. Ceiling sprinklers shall have a minimum design density of 12.5 mm/min over 260 m2."

In rack storage the ceiling density, unlike that for free standing stacks, does not depend on height and is given as a single minimum value. The hydraulic assumptions for in-rack sprinklers come from the general provisions (Clause 7.2.3.3, EN p.37): 3 sprinklers at the most hydraulically remote position on each level, up to a maximum of three levels; depending on the aisle width, one, two or three racks are assumed to be involved. Clause 7.2.3.1 (EN p.37) requires that where more than 50 intermediate level sprinklers are installed, they are not fed from the same control valve set as the ceiling sprinklers.

Free standing stacks compared with rack storage

Source: Table G.7 and Clause G.7.2, EN p.151.

What the standard does not say here

• Naming of the product class. Clause G.7 assigns no storage category or product group to non-woven synthetic fabric; the categories of EN 12845 are Category I-IV and these are determined by the method of Annex B (EN p.127 onwards).
• ESFR design, K-factor, number of sprinklers or operating pressure. There is no ESFR in Clause G.7; for ESFR, Annex P (normative, EN p.164) refers to EN 12845-2.
• Separate densities, durations, stack heights or stack spacings for sub-products such as bales of acrylic fibre.
• Additional rules for mixed stacking (synthetic bales together with a different pallet type).
• Material data such as ignition temperature, melting temperature, burning rate or smoke composition. These are outside the scope of EN 12845.

Field note

Field note (not from the standard, this is engineering interpretation): for this product the most fragile design input is the storage height, because the table changes the density noticeably at a single step. Physically marking the storage limit so that the height accepted in the project is not exceeded on site is the simplest way of keeping the design valid.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the design density found for free standing storage of non-woven synthetic fabric?

TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Table G.7 (EN p.151) gives a ladder based on height: 10.0 mm/min for 1.6 m; 12.5 for 2.0 m; 15.0 for 2.3 m; 17.5 for 2.7 m (all over 260 m2); 20.0 for 3.0 m; 22.5 for 3.3 m; 25.0 for 3.6 m; 27.5 for 3.8 m; 30.0 mm/min for 4.1 m (all over 300 m2).

How is the maximum storage height in the table measured?

Table G.7 NOTE 1 (EN p.151): take the vertical distance from the floor to the sprinkler deflectors and subtract 1 m; use this value or the highest value shown in the table, whichever is the lower.

What is done above 4.1 m?

Clause G.7.1 NOTE (EN p.150): for storage heights above 4.1 m, consideration might be given to the use of special technology sprinklers (see Annex L). Table G.7 stops at 4.1 m.

What is the criterion for rack storage?

Clause G.7.2 (EN p.151): in-rack sprinklers are used in accordance with Category IV requirements, and the ceiling sprinklers provide a minimum design density of 12.5 mm/min over 260 m2.

Can a dry or alternate installation be used?

Table G.7 NOTE 2 (EN p.151): dry and alternate installations should be avoided. The areas of operation in the table are already for a wet or pre-action system.

References

• TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Clause G.7.1 and NOTE (EN p.150)
• TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Table G.7, NOTE 1 and NOTE 2 (EN p.151)
• TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Clause G.7.2 (EN p.151)
• TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Clauses 7.2.3.1, 7.2.3.3 (EN p.37)
• TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Annex L (EN p.160)
• TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Annex B (EN p.127 onwards)
• TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Annex P (EN p.164)

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