Fire protection in AutoStore^TM robotic cube storage systems

1. To start, could you briefly explain what AutoStore stands for?

Ivar Fjeldheim: "AutoStore stands for a highly automated, compact cube storage concept that is fundamentally different from traditional warehouse systems. It is disruptive by design: there are no aisles, no walkways, and no conventional access patterns. This compactness and automation allow customers to maximize storage density and efficiency, but at the same time require a completely different way of thinking when it comes to safety, fire protection, and system design. AutoStore continuously evolves its technology and takes responsibility not only for storage efficiency, but also for how such systems can be operated safely over decades."

2. What role does safety play in your overall concept?

Ivar Fjeldheim: "Safety plays a central role in the AutoStore concept. We see safety not as an add-on, but as an integral part of system design and long-term customer value. Protecting people, goods, and business continuity is essential."

Ingunn Haraldseid: "AutoStore invests heavily in testing, certification, and research to ensure that systems are safe in real-life scenarios, not just on paper. In the case of fire protection, this includes understanding how fires behave in compact automated systems and how different protection concepts affect operators, firefighters, and insurers."

3. From your perspective, how important is fire protection – whether detection or prevention – for operators of automated compact storage systems?

Ingunn Haraldseid:  "Many tragic incidents show that fires in warehouses can lead to enormous losses, increased insurance costs, and in some cases even the end of a company. Preventive fire protection helps operators maintain resilience and operational continuity."

4. Are there specific fire risks or challenges? And what strategies does AutoStore pursue to minimize fire risks already during the design process?

Ingunn Haraldseid: To minimize risks, AutoStore focuses on early design-phase considerations, extensive real-scale fire testing, and empirical data rather than assumptions. We continuously test different fire scenarios, materials, and protection methods. By understanding system behavior in real fires, we at AutoStore can design solutions that reduce risk and make it easier for firefighters and operators to manage incidents safely.

5. From your perspective, what makes WAGNER’s oxygen reduction system an optimal complement to AutoStore solutions and how does the WAGNER solution integrate into the AutoStore system architecture?

Ivar Fjeldheim: "Oxygen reduction can be an optimal complement in certain projects because it aligns well with the sealed, compact nature of AutoStore systems. In many cases, oxygen reduction does not just protect the system, but actually enables projects that would otherwise not be feasible due to space constraints, water protection zones, groundwater issues, or lack of space for water retention.
We see WAGNER as an enabler: in those many cases where oxygen reduction makes sense, it allows both the system owner and the integrator to realize the project with as much safety as possible. The OxyReduct^® system becomes an intrinsic part of the overall storage architecture. It operates seamlessly in the background. Integration is relatively straightforward, with a limited number of components such as distribution piping, sensors, and the nitrogen generators. And it requires minimal physical interfacing with our handling equipment. Compared to large sprinkler installations e. g.such as those in high-bay warehouses, oxygen reduction can be technically simpler, especially when a sealed enclosure is already in place around the system. To offer this solution enables us to deliver maximum storage efficiency, system availability, and asset protection to our customers."

6. What benefits do you see for operators in terms of safety, operational continuity, and protection of their investment?

Ingunn Haraldseid: "Operators benefit from a significantly higher level of resilience. Preventive fire protection reduces the likelihood of catastrophic fires. It minimizes downtime, and helps protect high-value goods that cannot tolerate water damage. Customers who have chosen oxygen reduction systems are generally very satisfied once the system is in operation. Clear procedures for access and operation ensure that safety concerns do not become a daily issue."

Ivar Fjeldheim: "In the long term, preventive solutions help safeguard investments and ensure that businesses remain operational for many years, even decades. Statistics from insurance companies show that after major warehouse fires, many businesses never recover. Preventive fire protection directly addresses this risk."

7. At AutoStore, you have driven many new developments, such as the Frozen-Only Grid, and you identify the optimal fire protection options for each new system through strategic design and extensive testing. In your view, is preventive fire protection also the optimal solution for deep-freeze environments?

Ivar Fjeldheim: "Yes, preventive fire protection can be particularly well suited for deep-freeze environments. Frozen and chilled applications are often already extremely tight and sealed due to insulation and temperature requirements. This makes oxygen reduction a very attractive option. In frozen-only grid concepts, goods can be stored at very low temperatures while robots operate in ambient or chilled zones.
Sprinkler systems in such environments are technically challenging, whereas oxygen reduction can integrate well into sealed freezer cubes. AutoStore is actively exploring how these concepts can be further developed, as demand for frozen and chilled automated solutions continues to grow worldwide."

8. How significant are insurance-related considerations in your customer discussions, particularly with regard to fire protection and solutions such as oxygen reduction?

Ingunn Haraldseid: "Insurance considerations are highly significant and becoming even more important. Insurance companies are increasingly focused on fire protection in automated storage systems and request more data, explanations, and dialogue. In more and more cases, we work proactively with insurers, sharing test results and research data to build trust and understanding.
The mindset of insurance companies is changing as warehouses become more automated, denser, and technologically complex. As a result, understanding the fire behavior of ASRS is becoming increasingly important. While systems may appear similar, small differences in design, materials, or storage configuration can significantly influence fire behavior, making system-specific testing and verification essential for defining appropriate fire protection solutions."

9. Do you have anything to add?

Ivar Fjeldheim: "Looking ahead, we believe that the combination of advanced automation and preventive safety concepts will define the next generation of warehouse solutions. As systems become denser and more business-critical, resilience and continuity will be just as important as efficiency."

Ingunn Haraldseid: "Partnerships, data-driven testing, and a deeper understanding of risks will be key to this development. Solutions like oxygen reduction are a good example of how innovation in fire protection can enable new possibilities rather than simply address existing risks."

Ivar Fjeldheim: "Ultimately, our goal is to help customers build systems they can trust over decades; systems that not only optimize space and performance, but also provide the highest level of safety and long-term reliability. Therefore, we look forward to continuing and further strengthening our successful collaboration with WAGNER."