By storing excess combustible materials improperly, employees not only increase the potential for having a fire, they increase the potential severity of a fire. To reduce the hazards associated with combustible storage, follow these guidelines:

• Eliminate excess combustible materials such as paper and cardboard.
• Do not store combustible materials in hallways, stairwells, or mechanical rooms.
• When stacking materials, leave at least 18 inches between the top of the stack and the ceiling.