Source: TS EN 12845+A2:2026 (EN 12845:2015+A2:2026), Clause G.6 "Spirit based liquors in wooden barrels", EN p.150. Every number and every provision in this article is taken from that clause or from another clause that is explicitly identified.
Annex G (normative) is titled "protection of special hazards", and according to Clause G.1 (EN p.145) the additional requirements of this annex are used for the protection of the products specified. The storage of spirit based liquors in wooden barrels is dealt with in this annex in three sentences and one NOTE. Since the clause is not long, the article has to be short as well: the standard says nothing further on this subject.
What does Clause G.6 say?
The clause consists in its entirety of the following three provisions (EN p.150):
- Barrels may be stored with ceiling sprinklers only up to a height not exceeding 4.6 m.
- For greater storage heights, in-rack sprinklers are installed in accordance with Category III/IV requirements.
- In both cases the ceiling sprinklers are installed so as to give a design density of 15 mm/min over an area of operation of 360 m2.
In addition, drainage or bunding should be provided to limit the spread of liquid spills ("should"; that is, a recommendation and not a requirement).
NOTE (EN p.150): For the purposes of this standard, spirituous liquor is a liquor containing more than 20% alcohol.
Design summary
| Storage height | In-rack sprinklers | Ceiling sprinklers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ≤ 4.6 m | Not required | 15 mm/min x 360 m2 | Clause G.6, EN p.150 |
| > 4.6 m | In accordance with Category III/IV requirements | 15 mm/min x 360 m2 | Clause G.6, EN p.150 |
The point to watch: the figure of 15 mm/min x 360 m2 is not reduced even when in-rack sprinklers are present. This is a deliberate departure from the standard's general rule for HHS storage. The general rule is given in Clause 7.2.3.2 (EN p.37) and calls for a minimum of 7.5 mm/min over 260 m2 at the ceiling where in-rack sprinklers are installed; Clause G.6, by saying "in both cases", disapplies that general rule.
What does "in-rack sprinklers in accordance with Category III/IV requirements" mean?
Clause G.6 gives no detail on the in-rack sprinklers; it refers to the general in-rack sprinkler provisions of the standard. The relevant provisions are in Clause 7.2.3 (EN p.37):
- 7.2.3.1: Where more than 50 in-rack sprinklers are installed in the racks, they cannot be fed from the same control valve set as the ceiling sprinklers.
- 7.2.3.3: For the purposes of hydraulic calculation, 3 sprinklers at the most hydraulically remote position on each level of in-rack sprinklers are assumed to operate simultaneously, up to a maximum of three levels. Where rack aisles are 2.4 m or more in width only one rack is assumed to be involved, where they are between 1.2 m and 2.4 m two racks, and where they are less than 1.2 m three racks.
- 7.2.3.4: In-rack sprinklers and their associated ceiling sprinklers are always fully calculated (Clause 13.1). NOTE: the minimum pressure at any operating sprinkler is 2.0 bar (Clause 13.4.4).
The distinction between Category III and Category IV is the category of the goods stored and is determined by the material factor method in Annex B (EN p.127 onwards). Clause G.6 does not itself state which category spirit based liquors fall into; it states only that the in-rack sprinklers are to be installed in accordance with Category III/IV requirements.
Water supply duration
Clause G.6 gives no duration. The duration is in the general provision, Clause 8.1.1 (EN p.42): LH 30 min, OH 60 min, HHP 90 min, HHS 90 min. The standard writes no separate duration provision and no hazard class assignment inside G.6; where this storage is classified as HHS, the 90 min of Clause 8.1.1 applies, and it is correct to cite Clause 8.1.1 for the duration at project approval.
The product of density and area (15 mm/min x 360 m2) gives only a rough idea of magnitude; the standard does not give this product as a flow figure, and Clause 7.2.3.4 together with Clause 13.1 requires a full hydraulic calculation.
What the standard does not say here
This section is intended to prevent the incorrect citations that are common on site. None of the following appears in TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Clause G.6:
- A foam additive (AFFF / AR-AFFF), foam concentrate volume, bladder tank or proportioner. In Annex G a foam additive is required only in Clause G.8.5 (EN p.152), for polypropylene/polyethylene crates.
- The width of aisles between stacks.
- A compartment threshold tied to the volume held in stock (for example a separate fire compartment or a detached building above a given number of litres).
- An ESFR sprinkler alternative. ESFR is directed to EN 12845-2 through Annex P (normative, EN p.164); there is no reference to ESFR in Clause G.6.
- A bund capacity formula, a bund height or a door threshold.
- Subjects such as explosive atmospheres, air change rates or gas detectors. These are outside the scope of EN 12845.
Field note
Field note (not from the standard, this is engineering commentary): in stores of spirit based liquors the decision on height does not change the density, so it does not directly determine the water flow but rather the investment in in-rack sprinklers and the number of control valve sets. Because spill control remains at the level of a recommendation in the standard, the binding criterion on that subject is usually local legislation or the insurer's specification; where that is the case, the source of the criterion should be stated explicitly in the project documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ceiling sprinkler design for a store of spirit based liquors in wooden barrels?
TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Clause G.6 (EN p.150) gives a single design: the ceiling sprinklers are installed so as to give a design density of 15 mm/min over an area of operation of 360 m2. This value is the same both where there is ceiling protection only and where in-rack sprinklers are present.
To what height may the barrels be stacked?
Clause G.6 (EN p.150): barrels may be stored with ceiling sprinklers only to a height not exceeding 4.6 m. For greater storage heights, in-rack sprinklers are installed in accordance with Category III/IV requirements.
Does EN 12845 require a foam additive (AFFF) for this storage?
No. Clause G.6 contains no provision on a foam additive. Within Annex G of TS EN 12845+A2:2026 a foam additive is required only in Clause G.8.5 (EN p.152), for polypropylene/polyethylene storage crates.
What is a 'spirituous liquor' for the purposes of the standard?
Clause G.6 NOTE (EN p.150): for the purposes of this standard, spirituous liquor is defined as a liquor containing more than 20% alcohol.
Is drainage or bunding mandatory?
Clause G.6 (EN p.150) states this as a recommendation rather than a requirement: drainage or bunding should be provided to limit the spread of liquid spills. No capacity formula, bund height or bund material is given in the standard.
How long must the water supply duration be?
Clause G.6 gives no duration. The general provision is Clause 8.1.1 (EN p.42): LH 30 min, OH 60 min, HHP 90 min, HHS 90 min.
References
- TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Clause G.1 (EN p.145)
- TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Clause G.6 and NOTE (EN p.150)
- TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Clause G.8.5 (EN p.152)
- TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Clauses 7.2.3.1, 7.2.3.2, 7.2.3.3, 7.2.3.4 and NOTE (EN p.37)
- TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Clause 8.1.1 (EN p.42)
- 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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Download MEP Calc on the App StoreTS EN 12845+A2:2026 (EN 12845:2015+A2:2026) Fixed firefighting systems — Automatic sprinkler systems — Design, installation and maintenance; TS EN 12845-2:2025 (EN 12845-2:2024) ESFR and CMSA sprinkler systems. Every figure in this article is taken from the published standard text; clause, table and page references are listed under References. General information only, not a substitute for the standard or for a design review.