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Posted By sineadconneally
Hi, we are looking at installing a new Coldstore at our manufacturing facility for storing non-flammable product. There is general sprinkler protection in thea area anyway but our insurers have previously requested that we incorporate integrated sprinkler protection in our coldstores (from a building safety point of view). Given the low risk involved the project manager is considering challenging this request with our insurers in this instance but wants me just to confirm first that there is no issue from a personnel safety point of view. Using a risk-based approach this is certainly low risk from personnel safety point of view (no major ignition sources in the area; non-flammable product; general sprinkler protection overhead; plus extensive emergency response procedures); however I just want to ensure prior to advising, that I am not missing some standard or COP on a requirement for integrated sprinkler protection in coldstores?
Thanks,
Sinead
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Posted By Crim
I can't help with advice but interested and would like to find out more?
What is the room temperature and does this not cause problems with water in the pipework?
I know there are dry pipe systems available so no problem with the pipework freezing, just a slight delay in response.
I can image producing snow from the sprinkler heads if below freezing.
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Posted By D. Hilton
All depends on it being an Insurance requirement or recommendation.
In reality it is only a matter of installing a Glycol loop from the existing wet system into the cold store.
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Posted By D. Hilton
You could also consider
Cable tray fire,
lift truck fire,
Use or release of ammonia
Panel materials of construction and Combustibility.
Hotwork operations
In addition to the loss of many cold stores due to fire.
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Posted By Saz G
I worked in the coldstore and distribution sector for 10 years. Every new insurance inspection would recommend sprinklers and every time, we refuted it. It is a standard requirement that can be challenged. A coldstore usually (depending on the product) runs at below -18 and although the previous posters are correct, that there is a potential for fire to break out, it is minimal and the damage that would be done to product and the additional hazard of the water freezing vey quickly if they were activated, far outweighs the risk. Your other controls should be more than adequate and IMHO, I would challenge it. They are far more interested that your panels are in tact (to prevent fire spread), housekeeping is good and that FLTs are maintained and inspected, as they should be.
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Posted By Juan Carlos Arias
I think sometime ago there was an incident where a cold store caught fire and it rapidly spread through the composite panels, which very often for freezer storage are made of polystyrene. I think it would be good if you could get the sprinkler system installed providing it doesn't cause too much hassle, otherwise, I also think that the recommendation / requirement from the insurance guys can be well debated with the other control and preventative measures already discussed
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Posted By D. Hilton
The cost of installing the glycol loop would likely to be less than an increase in insurance premium the event that they consider the new store as an increased risk.
The life safety aspect is of lesser consequence.
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Posted By Kevin Kelly
really it depends on your insurers and the type of facility you are, there are a number of standards that apply dependant on who your insurance company align themselves with.
Most pharma plants are insured by Factory Mutual (American) and their FM Standards apply in those plants. These standards are very stingent. Most commerical and UK based plants are goverened by LPC, again with their own stringent standards. In other areas NFPA standards exist. Failing any set standard EN 12845 must be adhered to.
If none of these apply you can try to get a Fire Consultant to deem sprinklers unnecessary but this is a very tricky area. If the insurance company insist on it they can refuse you cover on the grounds of noncompilance.
In relation to the freezing water issue what is known as a dry system would be installed. In this type of system water is not stored in the pipe work, instead it is stored in fire tanks away form the area, the pipework is pressurised with air and upon the sprinkler head detecting fire the air is released and water is then pumped into the system. There is a minimal delay of a few seconds while the water travels at the rate of a few thousand litres per minute through the pipelines.
So to summarise, the insurance company dictate the standard.
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Posted By sineadconneally
Thanks for all of your interesting responses; unfortunately it is not as simple as installing a glycol loop in this instance as due to the high value of the product it would need to be a double-knock Preaction system (to prevent costly product damage by false activations). As there appears to be no definitive requirement for integral coldstore sprinkler protection I think it will be worth our while at least discussing further with our insurers.
Thanks again,
Sinead
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Posted By D. Hilton
As sprinkler activation is typically achieved via thermal expansion brought about by ceiling temperatures at and above 311 K false activation is not likely. How many times have you had a non fire related sprinkler discharge within your existing store?
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Posted By Messy Shaw
If there are high value stock which needs protection from fire but also water spillages, how about an oxygen reduction system instead of sprinklers?
These systems are now economical enough for use in huge warehouses. I saw a presentation where Warner have fitted one in a chilled butter warehouse/cold store.
http://www.hallmarkfire..../leftframe/oxyreduct.htm
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