Fire Department
Commodity Classification Handout
Serving the Cities of Kent, SeaTac, Covington, and King County Fire District 37
Classification of Commodities Handout
As required by 2012 International Fire Code (IFC) Section 3203
Commodities shall be classified as Class I, II, III, IV, or high hazard in accordance with section 3203.1 of the IFC.
Materials listed within each commodity classification are assumed to be unmodified for improved combustibility
characteristics. Use of flame-retarding modifiers or the physical form of the material could change the classification.
3203.2 Class I Commodities:
Class I commodities are essentially noncombustible products on wooden or non-expanded polyethylene solid deck
pallets, in ordinary corrugated cartons with or without single-thickness dividers, or in ordinary paper wrappings with
or without pallets. Class I commodities are allowed to contain a limited amount of Group A plastics in accordance
with Section 3203.7.4. Examples of Class I commodities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Alcoholic beverages not exceeding 20-percent Frozen foods
alcohol Glass
Appliances noncombustible, electrical Glycol in metal cans
Cement in bags Gypsum board
Ceramics Inert materials, bagged
Dairy products in non-wax-coated containers Insulation, noncombustible
(excluding bottles)
Noncombustible liquids in plastic containers
Dry insecticides having less than a 5-gallon (19 L) capacity
Foods in noncombustible containers Noncombustible metal products
Fresh fruits and vegetables in non-plastic trays
or containers
3203.3 Class II Commodities:
Class II commodities are Class I products in slatted wooden crates, solid wooden boxes, multiple-thickness
paperboard cartons, or equivalent combustible packaging material with or without pallets. Class II commodities are
allowed to contain a limited amount of Group A plastics in accordance with Section 3203.7.4. Examples of Class II
commodities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Alcoholic beverages not exceeding 20-percent Incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs in cartons
alcohol, in combustible containers Thinly coated fine wire on reels or in cartons
Foods in combustible containers
Kent Fire Department RFA, Fire Prevention Division Page 1 of 4
Internationally Accredited Fire Agency
Location: 400 W. Gowe Street / Mail To: 220 4th Avenue South, Kent, WA 98032-5895
Office: 253.856.4400 / Fax: 253.856.6400
Fire Department
Commodity Classification Handout
Serving the Cities of Kent, SeaTac, Covington, and King County Fire District 37
3203.4 Class III Commodities:
Class III commodities are commodities of wood, paper, natural fiber cloth, or Group C plastics or products thereof,
with or without pallets. Products are allowed to contain limited amounts of Group A or B plastics, such as metal
bicycles with plastic handles, pedals, seats, and tires. Group A plastics shall be limited in accordance with Section
3203.7.4. Examples of Class III commodities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Aerosol, Level 1 (see Chapter 28) Paints, oil base, in metal cans
Combustible fiberboard Paper, waste, baled
Cork, baled Paper and pulp, horizontal storage, or vertical
Feed, bagged storage that is banded or protected with
approved wrap
Fertilizers, bagged
Paper in cardboard boxes
Food in plastic containers
Pillows, excluding foam rubber and foam plastics
Furniture: wood, natural fiber, upholstered,
non-plastic, wood or metal with plastic-padded Plastic-coated paper food containers
and covered arm-rests Plywood
Glycol in combustible containers not exceeding Rags, baled
25 percent Rugs, without foam backing
Lubricating or hydraulic fluid in metal cans Sugar, bagged
Lumber Wood, baled
Mattresses, excluding foam rubber and foam Wood doors, frames and cabinets
plastics
Yarns of natural fiber and viscose
Noncombustible liquids in plastic containers
having a capacity of more than 5 gallons (19 L)
3203.5 Class IV Commodities:
Class IV commodities are Class I, II or III products containing Group A plastics in ordinary corrugated cartons and
Class I, II and III products with Group A plastic packaging, with or without pallets. Group B plastics and free-flowing
Group A plastics are also included in this class. The total amount of non-free-flowing Group A plastics shall be in
accordance with Section 3203.7.4. Examples of Class IV commodities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Aerosol, Level 2 (see Chapter 51) Glycol in combustible containers (greater than 25
Alcoholic beverages, exceeding 20-percent but percent and less than 50 percent)
less than 80-percent alcohol, in cans or bottles Linoleum products
in cartons Paints, oil base in combustible containers
Clothing, synthetic or non-viscose Pharmaceutical, alcoholic elixirs, tonics, etc.
Combustible metal products (solid) Rugs, foam back
Furniture, plastic upholstered Shingles, asphalt
Furniture, wood or metal with plastic covering Thread or yarn, synthetic or non-viscose
and padding
Kent Fire Department RFA, Fire Prevention Division Page 2 of 4
Internationally Accredited Fire Agency
Location: 400 W. Gowe Street / Mail To: 220 4th Avenue South, Kent, WA 98032-5895
Office: 253.856.4400 / Fax: 253.856.6400
Fire Department
Commodity Classification Handout
Serving the Cities of Kent, SeaTac, Covington, and King County Fire District 37
3203.6 High-Hazard Commodities:
High-hazard commodities are high-hazard products presenting special fire hazards beyond those of Class I, II, III, or
IV. Group A plastics not otherwise classified are included in this class. Examples of high-hazard commodities include,
but are not limited to, the following:
Aerosol, Level 3 (see Chapter 51) Mattresses, foam rubber or foam plastics
Alcoholic beverages, exceeding 80-percent Pallets and flats which are idle combustible
alcohol, in bottles or cartons Paper and pulp, rolled, in vertical storage which is
Commodities of any class in plastic containers unbanded or not protected with an approved
in carousel storage wrap
Flammable solids (except solid combustible Paper, asphalt, rolled, horizontal storage
metals) Paper, asphalt, rolled, vertical storage
Glycol in combustible containers (50 percent or Pillows, foam rubber and foam plastics
greater)
Pyroxylin
Lacquers, which dry by solvent evaporation, in
Rubber tires
metal cans or cartons
Vegetable oil and butter in plastic containers
Lubricating or hydraulic fluid in plastic
containers
3203.7 Classification of Plastics:
Plastics shall be designated as Group A, B or C in accordance with Sections 3203.7.1 through 3203.7.4.
3203.7.1 Group A Plastics:
Group A plastics are plastic materials having a heat of combustion that is much higher than that of ordinary
combustibles, and a burning rate higher than that of Group B plastics. Examples of Group A plastics include, but are
not limited to, the following:
ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene Polycarbonate
copolymer) Polyester elastomer
Acetal (polyformaldehyde) Polyethylene
Acrylic (polymethyl methacrylate) Polypropylene
Butyl rubber Polystyrene (expanded and unexpanded)
EPDM (ethylene propylene rubber) Polyurethane (expanded and unexpanded)
FRP (fiberglass-reinforced polyester) PVC (polyvinyl chloride greater than 15-percent
Natural rubber (expanded) plasticized, e.g., coated fabric unsupported film)
Nitrile rubber (acrylonitrile butadiene SAN (styrene acrylonitrile)
rubber) SBR (styrene butadiene rubber)
PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate)
Polybutadiene
Kent Fire Department RFA, Fire Prevention Division Page 3 of 4
Internationally Accredited Fire Agency
Location: 400 W. Gowe Street / Mail To: 220 4th Avenue South, Kent, WA 98032-5895
Office: 253.856.4400 / Fax: 253.856.6400
Fire Department
Commodity Classification Handout
Serving the Cities of Kent, SeaTac, Covington, and King County Fire District 37
3203.7.2 Group B Plastics:
Group B plastics are plastic materials having a heat of combustion and a burning rate higher than that of ordinary
combustibles, but not as high as those of Group A plastics. Examples of Group B plastics include, but are not limited
to, the following:
Cellulosics (cellulose acetate, cellulose FEP, fluorinated ethylene-propylene copolymer)
acetate butyrate, ethyl cellulose) Natural rubber (nonexpanded)
Chloroprene rubber Nylon (Nylon 6, Nylon 6/6)
Fluoroplastics (ECTFE, ethylene- PVC (polyvinyl chloride greater than 5-percent, but
chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer; ETFE, not exceeding 15-percent plasticized)
ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer;
Silicone rubber
3203.7.3 Group C Plastics:
Group C plastics are plastic materials having a heat of combustion and a burning rate similar to those of ordinary
combustibles. Examples of Group C plastics include, but are not limited to, the following:
Fluoroplastics (PCTFE, PVC (polyvinyl chloride, rigid or plasticized less than 5
polychlorotrifluoroethylene; PTFE, percent, e.g., pipe, pipe fittings)
polytetrafluoroethylene) PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
Melamine (melamine formaldehyde) PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride)
Phenol PVF (polyvinyl fluoride)
Urea (urea formaldehyde)
Kent Fire Department RFA, Fire Prevention Division Page 4 of 4
Internationally Accredited Fire Agency
Location: 400 W. Gowe Street / Mail To: 220 4th Avenue South, Kent, WA 98032-5895
Office: 253.856.4400 / Fax: 253.856.6400
