Engineering expert warns of high-density storage fire risk

Ralph Bless, the Executive Vice President, Innovation and Excellence for Telgian Engineering & Consulting, has warned that warehouses that use automated storage and retrieval systems can be a fire hazard due to high density storage that maximizes inventory capacity.

A typical warehouse contains several types of flammable materials. As well as the inventory, a lot of warehouse equipment such as ecommerce tables, plastic totes and packing stations contain wood, plastic and other materials that burn easily. Bless says that conventional fire prevention systems may not be adequate to put fires out quickly.

Sprinklers in the ceiling are normally installed to deal with the fire outbreaks. These sprinklers rely on aisle gaps that allow water to reach the seat of the fire. However, in high-density storage systems, tall racks and narrow aisles gaps are missing or restricted, making the standard sprinkler systems inadequate to deal with fierce fires.

Ralph Bless recommends several solutions to create effective fire systems in high-density warehouses. Firstly, install sprinklers inside the rack structure, not just in the ceiling. Early detection systems constantly analyse the air and provide early warnings if smoke is detected

Closed totes prevent water collecting in bins instead of flowing down. Detailed site maps need to be available to the local fire service so that firefighters can navigate around the high-density racks. Ideally, both staff and firefighters need to take part in specific firefighting drills.

Furthermore, fire prevention systems need regular maintenance and testing to make sure they provide critical fire defence.

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