Stored materials and ensuring they are ≥18" from ceiling

Hello all,

We had a question come up about how to ensure we don't store materials too close to our ceiling in our storage areas in our warehouse. In the United States, for areas with sprinklers, materials must be stored a minimum of 18 inches from the ceiling for OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) compliance.

We are trying to provide a visual reminder of this to workers who operate the forklift to ensure they don't store materials too close to sprinklers.

One person had an idea of attaching magnets with cables from the ceiling, for example using the equipment in the linked pages in this sentence. However, I'm concerned about the risk that, with anything attached to the ceiling, it could fall down and become a contamination/food safety risk to stored product. This is not to mention the risk that it falls on someone's head and thereby poses a worker safety risk.

How is this normally done--i.e., how can we provide a visual reminder or limit to workers so that they don't store materials too close to sprinklers, in a way that doesn't present a risk of something falling down and going into product or falling on someone? Is a painted line on the wall good enough?

We manufacture dietary supplements and are regulated in the United States under 21 CFR Part 111 and 117 and we have SQF and NSF GMP certifications. 

Thank you,

Matthew

What's the maximum height of your pallets? The top row on racks should never get that close to the ceiling. Do you have limited space for storage? 

Paint / tape line on the racking marking the no-go zone.

We do have very limited storage in our warehouse. It's our biggest constriction. I don't believe we limit the height of our pallets currently; that's something to consider.

What's the maximum height of your pallets? The top row on racks should never get that close to the ceiling. Do you have limited space for storage?