The answer to whether it is safe to store combustible materials under desks in an office environment is definitively no. Storing an excessive amount of combustible items in this location creates a hidden concentration of fuel that significantly increases the fire load of a workspace. This practice is strongly discouraged by fire safety standards and often results in violations of fire and building codes. The primary concerns involve the rapid acceleration of fire growth and the obstruction of safe emergency evacuation routes.
Classification of Combustible Materials in Office Settings
Combustible materials are defined as solids or liquids that can ignite and burn. In an office, the vast majority of fire fuel falls into the category of Class A combustibles. These are ordinary materials like paper, wood, cloth, and certain plastics that leave ash after burning.
Common items contributing to the combustible load under a desk include stacks of files, cardboard boxes, spare printer paper reams, and personal belongings. While a single sheet of paper is not a major threat, the concentrated volume of these items represents a significant fuel source. Reducing this accumulation is the first step in mitigating fire risk.
Why Under-Desk Storage Increases Fire Risk
The space beneath a desk creates a confined area that concentrates the available fuel for a fire. This concentration allows a small, localized ignition event to quickly escalate into a larger, more intense fire. When materials are tightly packed, the heat generated during combustion is trapped, leading to a faster temperature increase and a higher risk of flashover.
This location often houses the desk’s electrical infrastructure, including power strips, computer towers, and power cords. Faulty wiring, overloaded power strips, or damaged cables are common ignition sources in an office environment. Placing a high volume of paper directly next to these electrical items creates a dangerous pairing of fuel and ignition.
Improper storage also creates a significant obstruction to a clear means of egress. Cluttering the floor space around a workstation presents a tripping hazard, slowing or blocking the path of employees attempting to evacuate. The materials also hide the base of the fire, making it difficult for personnel to locate and apply fire suppression efforts using a portable extinguisher.
Clearance Requirements for Storage
Fire safety standards mandate specific vertical clearance requirements for all stored materials. In buildings equipped with automatic fire sprinkler systems, storage must be kept at least 18 inches below the sprinkler head deflectors, known as the “18-inch rule.”
This vertical clearance is necessary to ensure the sprinkler system functions as designed, allowing the water spray to properly disperse and pre-wet surrounding combustibles. If storage obstructs this space, the water pattern is blocked, preventing the fire suppression system from effectively containing the fire. In office areas lacking a sprinkler system, a clearance of 24 inches below the ceiling is required to allow fire departments access with hose streams.
These clearance rules apply to all storage, including materials stacked under a desk, which reduces the effective height of the stored items. Fire codes also regulate the volume of material, requiring that storage be orderly and separated from heat sources. Local jurisdictions often limit the maximum cubic feet of combustible material allowed per workstation or office area.
Approved Storage Solutions
Safe alternatives for managing office combustibles involve relocating materials and utilizing approved storage furniture. Instead of stacking files on the floor, materials should be stored in dedicated, lockable filing cabinets made of metal or other non-combustible materials. These cabinets help contain potential fires by limiting the oxygen supply to the fuel source.
For items that must be kept at the workstation, under-desk pedestal drawers offer a safer alternative to open-floor storage. These units consolidate paper and supplies into enclosed compartments, keeping them contained and away from floor-level electrical hazards.
Bulk items, such as large supplies of toner or printer paper reams, should be moved to remote storage rooms or closets designed for higher fire loads. Modular storage units and credenzas are effective solutions for keeping materials organized and off the floor, provided they do not impede emergency exit paths. The overarching goal is to minimize the amount of combustible material present at any single workstation, especially near any potential ignition source.