Warehousing & Distribution

Over recent years no other category of building has been the subject of such large investment. Many supermarkets and other major retailers use them for regional distribution centres, and with the advent of e-commerce many other businesses use them to house their products for sale on their websites. These warehouses can be used to store anything from books and beans to paints and other flammable materials.

Whilst incidents of fires in warehouses is less than those in manufacturing facilities, the impact on business in financial terms is disproportionately higher through the loss of property, stock and business disruption. The Home Office figures make for disturbing reading. In 1999, there were 10315 fires in retail distribution and industrial / transport premises. Of these around 4000 were in warehouses resulting in 3 fatalities and 213 injuries. Average losses in these fires exceeded £1 million. Tests under taken by the B.R.E (Building Research Establishment) found that in the case of high bay warehouses unless the fire was attacked in the first 2-3 minutes it was probable that the fire would be beyond control by the time the fire brigade arrived and that the buildings and contents would be destroyed.

The commonly used solution in warehousing is to protect with sprinkler systems both at the roof level and within the storage racks.

E.S.F.R (Early Suppression Fast Response) sprinklers at roof level only can be used and provide a very effective extinguishing system but there are specific structural and storage considerations which need to be assessed before use. This solution proves extremely effective in controlling the fire but recommend that you seek our guidance when considering this option. How this system activates and operates can be seen in our technical library.
 

In many warehouses there are chilled storage areas that will need protection. Using a “dry” sprinkler system (see automatic sprinklers) can provide the solution. Argus has been involved in many of these types of projects. Sainsbury’s, Centrica, Table Foods, B & Q are just a few of the many examples.

In areas where solvents or other flammable liquids (solvents, paints, etc) may be stored high expansion foam may need to be used where very high risk is present. If a fire was allowed to develop control and extinguishing would be impossible without protection. After activation the foam is released to smother the fire and break the “Fire Triangle”. In certain high risk warehouses it may necessary to completely fill the warehouse within 7 minutes. The Jotun Henry Clark warehouse facility at Flixborough is an example where this system has been installed by Argus. The system not only gives peace of mind to the company but also to the local community surrounding the facility.

Argus’ expertise in this area of fire protection confirms their position of preferred fire engineering contractor for warehousing and distribution centres.

For any further information regarding this product please either visit our technical library or contact us.