Just another angle on this question given the occupancy ..
Depending on the quantity and classification of the various hazardous materials - mostly combustible and flammable liquids I would think - the prevailing building code may have requirements outside of a straight NFPA 13 Occupancy Classification to Area Density design. In NJ we use the IBC which sends us into the IFC for systems but also hazardous materials. Once you are in the Haz Mat chapter you will also find yourself being directed to the Flammable and Combustible liquids chapter which has specific sprinkler design and density information and /or you might meet a quantity limit which will send you to NFPA 30. Not knowing the size and such of the building the requirements for maximum quantity per control area can be a big oops if you just go with area density design. Retail is only retail until they exceed an MAQ in a control area and then it could change the Group classification. There aren't many big box home improvement centers with in-racks in EVERY rack .. But depending on the codes in play and the savvy levels involved it might be just what is actually required if you follow the codes through and true. The same applies to any retail setting with large amounts on hazardous materials in stock and /or on display depending on a plethora of requirements for racking, shelving, and un-boxing. Did someone mention aerosol forms of chemicals??? Just because the motor oil or other liquids are divided up into different parts of the store doesn't necessarily make it different control areas. I haven't yet been to a retail automotive store where they have fire walls dividing the building floor area into control areas so generally its one big control area and everything on hand becomes part of the MAQ computation and you might find they exceed what is permissible based on the original design. Just throwing it out there .. Once bitten now twice shy on this topic. Dave P An AHJ in NJ
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