24 WESTERN PALLET
- The result was the creation of NWPCA’s Fire Code Compliance Manual (click here to download.) “This is basically your Cliff notes version of how to get into compliance,” Gething said. “It’s a pretty straightforward approach to these new codes.” There are four major components: site plan, fire prevention plan, fire emergency response plan, and security plan.
- The 2018 code changes are now being rolled out at the state level. It is important to act proactively and reach out to establish a relationship with your local code inspectors, if you have not yet done so, rather than reacting to being found in non-compliance. “That's a much more difficult conversation to have than to reach out to your code official and say, ‘Hey, we have these new codes and I want to get in compliance. Can you come in and check me out?’”
- About 60% of NWPCA members have downloaded the fire compliance manual ( and it has also been distributed at NWPCA events. And while it is written to apply to U.S. pallet operations, it has been downloaded by pallet operators around the world, as well as by fire compliance officials looking to better understand pallet operations.
Carly Taylor - Rising from the Ashes
- Carly Taylor and Bryce, her husband, have been in the pallet business for 30 years. In August 2019 they received a 3 am call that all business owners dread. Their business was in full blaze. “That morning we lost about 110,000 pallets, several loads of lumber, 11 semis, a few trailers, our grinder and an excavator. The firemen responded quickly and were able to save our office and production warehouse with no injuries or lives lost.” The blaze was started by an arsonist.
- “For us, our agent was our only advocate. Choose your agent wisely when you buy a policy of these types. You're also buying the agent services as well. Make sure you have someone who will go to bat for you and makes your company the priority. Our agent spent almost an entire week at our office dealing with fire investigators, neighbors with damage claim adjusters, appraisers, and appraisers with two different companies. Your agent will help guide you through the process instead of you trying to fight the insurance companies yourself.”
- Some operational changes were made following the fire, such as pulling the grinder away from wood fiber at the end of the day, parking trucks away from pallets and drains, and fueling up the trucks in the morning. Previously, they were fueled the previous evening to get them rolling more quickly in the morning.