Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 40-14-4-.02 - Cotton Storage

(1) There will be a minimum of two cotton examinations per year. All cotton stored in a licensed warehouse must be aligned both vertically and horizontally so as to facilitate ready tag check and bale count.

(a) The first examination will be a bale count, which will be performed after the ginning season is complete.

(i) The height of stacks must not exceed three high when stacked end on end or eight high when stacked flat.

(ii) All bales must be visible and readily accessible for counting during the first examination.

(b) The second examination will be a tag check, which will be performed after notice of said examination has been provided to the licensed warehouse.

(i) The height of stacks must not exceed two high when stacked end on end or four high when stacked flat.

(ii) All tags must be visible and readily accessible for scanning during the second examination.

(iii) The licensed warehouse must ensure that all tags are visible and readily accessible for scanning prior to the scheduled second examination.

(2) Tag aisles (walk aisles, fire aisles or work aisles) must be provided as follows:

(a) When stacked one high on end, at least one aisle for each four rows of cotton except no aisle is required when head space of six feet or more, in the clear, is available above the cotton.

(b) At least one aisle for each two rows when stacked flat or more than one high on end.

(c) A minimum aisle width of 24 inches regardless of stacking pattern or height of stack.

(d) A minimum aisle width of 30 inches when stacked two bales high on end or four or five bales high flat (9 to 12 feet high).

(e) A minimum aisle width of 36 inches when stacked more than two bales high on end or more than five bales high flat (over 12 feet high).

(3) When stacked on end, two or more high, additional bales may be stacked on end, single height, within the above mentioned tag aisles, provided they do not preclude ready access to all bale tags and/or provided ample head room of six feet or more, in the clear, remains above the bales stacked in the tag aisles.

(4) The height of stacks must not exceed three high when stacked end on end or eight high when stacked flat.

(5) A fire aisle of at least five feet must be provided for or between each 12,000 cubic foot block of cotton. Twelve thousand (12,000) cubic feet will accommodate approximately the following number of bales:

Flat cotton	300
Gin Std. Cotton	550
Std. Density cotton	600
Hi Density cotton	800

(6) Work aisles across or through buildings or from main entrances to each block of 300 bales must be provided in each warehouse or compartment as follows:

(a) A minimum width of six feet when capacity is from 600 to 1200 bales.

(b) A minimum width of eight feet when capacity exceeds 1200 bales.

(7) Upon request, the Commissioner may grant exemptions to this rule when such request is deemed justified, based on acceptable industry practices, and when such request would not violate safety standards or compromise the integrity of regulatory inspection.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 40-14-4-.02

Ga. 1953, p. 412. O.C.G.A. § 10-4-1et. seq.

Original Rule entitled "Cotton Storage" was filed and effective on June 30, 1965. Amended: F. Aug. 2, 1995; eff. Aug. 22, 1995. Amended: F. Jan. 4, 2021; eff. Jan. 24, 2021.