Open Holding Yard

Storage for Cotton Bales

Cotton is used in textile industry as one of the main
raw materials. It usually stored as cotton bales
which the fibres are compressed and wrapped with
LLDPE (liner low-density polyethylene) film.
While the cotton is in the custody of the
warehouse, it must be protected against damage.
The principal perils which must be guarded against
are fire damage that can causes total loss of the
cotton, and fungi or other damages resulting
from prolonged exposure to humid or moisture on
the cotton.
Consequently, cotton bales are normally stored in
enclosed warehouses to protect it from weather
and integrated fire protection in the form of
sprinkler system. However, warehousing cotton is
expensive as the initial cost of the buildings, the
sprinkler system, hydrant line, and other fixed fire
protection are relatively cost extensive. Even with
the expensive fire protection system, there is
always the possibility of a loss of enormous
amounts of cotton due to fire.

Nevertheless, fire occurrence in storage yards can

damages the cotton bales and causing total loss of
the cotton.
WEATHER DAMAGE
Covering film of cotton bales is usually made with
hole patterns to allow air to escape during bagging
and to allow some passage of air into and out of
bale during storage. However, it can also suggests
some permeability to moisture when stored in high
humidity conditions.
Cotton bales in the open holding yards can be
protected from weather condition by setting up
some bale cover made from water resistant
material.
OPEN HOLDING YARD CODES
When cotton bales are stored temporarily at open
holding yards, there are some necessary measures
recommended to minimize the possibility of
damage.

Although general industry practice store cotton

bales in covered warehouses, some cotton bales are
stored in open holding yards due to lack of
available indoor storage.
FIRE DAMAGE
Cotton fibres were considered combustible fibres
in the U.S. fire and building code standards;
however, in 2005 NFPA fire and building codes
recognize that densely-packed baled cotton with
packing density of at least 22 lbs/ft (352 kg/m3)
complies with ISO 8115, is not a combustible fibre
or a hazardous material unless it is in a loose form.

Open Holding Yard Storage for Cotton Bales smartRISK

1. Outside stored bales should be the first

ones to be used.
2. Outside storage piles should be limited to
500 bales per pile with a clear space of
preferably 15 m but not less than 10 m
between individual piles and between piles
and buildings. Piles three to five metres
high are convenient for handling and for
weather covering.
3. Adequate hydrants and hoses should be
provided to protect the outside storage.
Outdoor sprinklers should also installed if
necessary.
1

4. Water supply shall be capable of supplying

at least for a minimum of 3 hours of fire
fighting. If the quantity of stored product is
1200 m3 or more, the water supply system
shall be capable of supplying at least 3780
L/min.
5. Remove dead grass and loose combustible
materials in the vicinity of the piles.
6. Lower bales should be placed on dunnage
or pallet to provide ventilation and prevent
excess damage by ground moisture.

CONCLUSION
Open holding yard storage for cotton bales is a
common industry practice which has been
practiced in various countries. The main
differences are the protection to natural hazards
which is varying in every places.
Some guidelines and standards are available to
ensure compliance to best practice of cotton bale
storage such as NFPA 46 and NFPA 230 which has
been incorporated to NFPA 1 in 2005.

7. The storage site shall be well drained and

be level.

Safeguard to fire hazards such as hydrants and

hoses, and consequently adequate water supplies,
are necessary for controlling and extinguishing
fires involving combustible fibres.

8. Hot works or heating devices shall not be

operated in storage yards.

REFERENCES

9. Smoking shall not take place in storage

yards.
10. Storage yard shall be provided with fire
access routes to permit fire fighting
vehicles and equipment access.
11. Establish an effective security system.

NFPA 1 (2015), Fire Code

Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, Ontario
Regulation 213/07, Fire Code
U.S. Patent #4891918
http://www.cotton.org/tech/safety/firecodes.cfm

12. Storage yard shall be surrounded by a

firmly anchored fence or other approved
method of security that controls
unauthorized access.

Open Holding Yard Storage for Cotton Bales smartRISK