We are encouraging members to let us know about events that are happening at your facility or in your community.

Opening a new facility? Let us know and we will post an article about it on our news feed.

Have a manager that was recognized within your company or in your community? Let us know and we will join in celebrating their accomplishment.

Call or email your submission, and we will let all our association members know about your news. Just one more way SSALA is working to connect self storage owners/operators/managers across the great state of Louisiana.

SSALA welcomes the new officers that were elected in Baton Rouge at the Fall Expo. Our new President is Lonnie Bickford, Vice-President Magen Smith, Secretary Ben Evens and Treasurer is Shaun Ferguson. We appreciate the effort these members make to further the goals of our association and look forward to the new ideas they bring!

The threat of flooding is very real with the storm approaching our southern coast this week. The link below will download our emergency preparedness guide and offer strategies in dealing with the media should they show up at your property. It has offers information on using a designated spokesperson, talking to your current tenants, and much more.

Emergency Preparedness and Your Media Response Seminar

With the support of its Code Committee, the national Self Storage Association successfully pursued several key changes to the 2021 International Building Code.

1. An exception has been added to IBC Section 2902.3.3 to permit an increase in the location (to greater than every other floor) and maximum distance of travel (to greater than 500 ft) for restrooms.  The location and travel distance must be approved by the code official.
2. The maximum allowable height of sprinklered facilities made of Type IIB materials (unprotected steel) and Type IIIB materials (noncombustible or fire-retardant-treated wood stud exterior walls and any interior construction) has been increased from 3 stories to 4 stories.  The Code continues to have total floor and building square footage limits.
3. Pursuant to modified IBC Section 903.2.9, storage facilities are exempt from the automatic sprinkler system requirement if: (1) the total fire area is 12,000 sq. ft. or less; (2) the combined total fire areas are 24,000 sq. ft. or less; (3) the facility is no greater than one story above grade plane; and (4) all storage spaces are accessed directly from the exterior.

These changes go into effect as they are adopted by local and state governments over the next several years.  Prior to the adoption on the local and state level, storage developers can request that the code official rely on the 2021 changes as acceptable alternative methods of construction pursuant to section 104.11 of the existing International Building Code.

Please email Joe Doherty with any questions or to receive supporting documentation for these changes.