Abstract: A restraint system and a method is provided for protecting at least the top barrels in a barrel stack, having a plurality of modules, against earthquake damage. Each of the modules has a top rack, at least one intermediate rack and a bottom rack and at least one barrel on each of the racks. The barrel restraint system comprises restraining mechanism that is operably engaged to at least the top barrels in the module at the top of the barrel stack for restraining the top barrels within the top module. Typically each module contains at least two barrels and the restraining means restrains all of the top barrels. It has been discovered that by restraining all of the top barrels and only the top barrels within the top module, the top barrels will be protected from being ejected from the top rack. All of the remaining barrels in the intermediate and bottom racks may be protected without the use of the restraining means of this invention due to the overburden weight of the barrels stacked above.