Active fire prevention in the robotic storage system
Automated compact storage systems are highly efficient robot-assisted compact storage systems for small parts. The goods are stored in containers of the same type. Due to the compact design of these storage systems, storage takes up less space than other systems. They thus perfectly serve the needs arising for companies from e-commerce and click & collect, for example. With an active fire prevention system for permanent, reliable fire protection, the risk of fire spreading is minimized from the outset. The warehouse is holistically protected from damage caused by fire, smoke or unsuitable extinguishing agents and the ability to deliver is ensured 24/7.
Various sources of risk pose the danger of fires in automated compact storage systems. Due to the compact design in combination with the high density of goods, the loss of value in the event of a fire is enormous. Although legal guidelines regulate basic fire protection, they generally only provide for the protection of persons and the environment. However, the operator is left with consequential damage and loss of image due to the interruption of operations. Insurance policies ideally compensate for the loss of material assets, but not for the loss of business capability.
The demand for business continuity through an uninterrupted supply chain and the constant availability of goods is increasing. Therefore, fire protection must also be considered when planning and installing an automated compact storage system. As with all storage systems, the requirements for plant fire protection must be analyzed individually. Here, we recommend considering the individual risks and protection goals in order to develop customized and holistic fire protection concepts.
Fire protection as a holistic solution
The active fire prevention system OxyReduct® prevents fires from spreading and thus protects against fire-related loss of goods and interruption of operations. An airtight enclosure ensures that the oxygen content in the area to be protected can permanently lowered and kept at this level in a controlled manner. This is achieved by introducing nitrogen, which is generated as required from the ambient air on site. A protective atmosphere is thus created in the defined protected area. The uncontrolled spread of fire within the automated compact storage system (= protected area) is prevented, disposal of fire residues or extinguishing agents is therefore not necessary. The storage areas and efficiency of the logistics system are not affected by the fire protection systems, as the technology used is installed in a space-saving manner outside the storage system in a plant room. Just as the storage system is expandable, OxyReduct® is also scalable.
Since the risk of short circuits and sweltering cables cannot be completely ruled out even in an oxygen-reduced atmosphere, highly sensitive TITANUS® air sampling smoke detectors are always part of the holistic fire protection solution. They detect the finest pyrolysis particles at the earliest possible stage and enable countermeasures to be taken in good time.
3D representation of a possible fire protection solution in the compact storage system
- Airtight enclosure ensures that the nitrogen cannot escape
- Robots transport the small load carriers
- Intake pipes direct the air samples to the intake air sampling smoke detector
- N2 inlet tube introduces the nitrogen into the protected area
- OXY.SENS® O2 sensors measure the oxygen concentration
- TITANUS® air sampling smoke detector for early fire detection
- N2 generator extracts the nitrogen for oxygen reduction from the ambient air
Fire protection in compact storage systems - a case for the insurance company
Due to the compact design with dense storage, high concentrations of values occur quickly. Insurance companies must reassess this risk in the event of a loss. Click here to find out what the insurance companies' current position is on fire protection in compact storage systems.
Reference projects
Komsa AG, Hartmannsdorf (Germany)
Fire effects such as high temperatures and smoke as well as extinguishing water would contaminate and destroy our goods. This leads to the interruption of our operating processes and, as a consequence, to the loss of our ability to deliver - an absolute no-go for us. So we quickly came to the active fire prevention technology OxyReduct® from WAGNER.
(Gernot Graebner, Supply Chain Manager KOMSA AG)
Aqipa GmbH, Kundl (Austria)
The Austrian company aqipa decided to use active fire protection from WAGNER for its automated high-bay warehouse to safeguard its premium products. From the beginning, it was clear that a conventional sprinkler solution would not suffice. The "Gear Guru" warehouse with AutoStore® technology and goods for the consumer electronics sector has too compact a design to ensure that the water would even get through to the source of the fire. Not to mention the effects of high temperatures, smoke and extinguishing water on the goods. The decision to actively prevent fires was therefore the only logical consequence.
Competec Logistik AG, Willisau (Switzerland)
The requirements and conditions in building construction have been considerably expanded and specified in recent years. This results in a great deal of coordination and agreement effort for the specialist planners when constructing such a complex building. This can only be managed with competent partners.
(Roland Brack, Founder and owner of the Competec group of companies)
Elektro-Material AG, Zürich (Switzerland)
In 2020, WAGNER equipped the newly built automated compact container warehouse of Elektro-Material in Zurich (Switzerland) with intelligent fire protection. The 6,300 m³ protected area is protected by an OxyReduct® oxygen reduction system for active fire prevention in combination with TITANUS® aspirating smoke detectors. The SES guidelines were complied with.
Sonepar AG, Wallisellen (Switzerland)
In 2020, WAGNER equipped the automated compact storage system with a protected area of 9,700 m³ in Wallisellen (Switzerland) with a holistic fire protection solution consisting of active fire prevention OxyReduct® and early fire detection TITANUS® in accordance with SES guidelines.
Kessel AG, Lenting (Germany)
For KESSEL, WAGNER installs an oxygen reduction system in Lenting (Bavaria, Germany) for active fire prevention in the automated compact storage system. The OxyReduct® system permanently reduces the oxygen content within the closed storage area of the compact storage system.
"Fire sources in high-bay racks often lead to the complete destruction of the warehouse. That is why it was particularly important for us to exclude the development or spread of fire from the outset," says project manager Stephanie Fürsich, KESSEL AG, explaining the choice of WAGNER's innovative fire protection concept.
