International fire protection

“GAM (Global Account Management) is WAGNER’s strategic approach to providing interested customers with centralized support, centralized service, and centralized tracking of their needs on a global scale.” 

“The biggest challenge is that there are no uniform global guidelines for fire protection. Fire protection regulations vary greatly from country to country. Even though OxyReduct^® has long been established and approved in Germany or Europe, for example, this does not mean a project can automatically be implemented in other markets. In some regions, innovative technologies such as active fire prevention through oxygen reduction must first be explained, demonstrated, and classified in relation to regulations by authorities or insurers.” 

“Through experience, thorough preparation, and close coordination with local stakeholders. That is exactly what Global Account Management is for: It draws on experience from international projects, provides support in developing a compelling case, and helps align regional requirements with the desired global safety standards. Every successfully completed project in a country builds additional trust and paves the way for further projects in that market or in comparable markets.” 

“The key difference lies in the comprehensive view of the client. A Global Account Manager is familiar not only with a single project, but also with the requirements, experiences, and conditions at various locations. This allows information to be consolidated, recurring challenges to be identified more quickly, and solutions to be planned more consistently. This benefits both WAGNER and the client, because knowledge gained from one project can be applied to other international projects.” 

“In recent years, we have also carried out global projects – including some in North America – with internationally active customers who already use our holistic fire protection solutions, including fire prevention via OxyReduct^®, at multiple locations across Europe. Initially, the technology for oxygen reduction was unknown to both the authorities and the relevant standards in those regions. It took intensive coordination, technical validation, and a great deal of persuasion before the solutions could be approved and implemented. For the customers, it was crucial that knowledge, experience, and communication were centrally coordinated.”

“A global approach to fire protection is particularly relevant wherever high-value goods, critical processes, or sensitive supply chains must be protected from fires and damage caused by fire extinguishing. High-bay and deep-freeze warehouses are especially well-suited for active fire prevention through oxygen reduction, as they are typically well-sealed, equipped with airlocks, and often highly automated. At the same time, automation creates electrical risks. Water-based extinguishing systems can pose additional challenges here, such as those related to anti-freeze, contamination, or interruptions in the ability to deliver. However, active fire prevention also offers advantages in other application areas, such as other automated warehouses, data centers, paper and tissue warehouses, and pharmaceutical applications. In the pharmaceutical industry in particular, a fire or contamination by fire extinguishing agents can have significant consequences – even if the fire is technically extinguished successfully.”

“When it comes to oxygen reduction, there is a recurring misconception that all oxygen is completely removed from the room and that the area is no longer accessible. In fact, by introducing very pure nitrogen, the oxygen concentration is carefully reduced to a level where, under defined conditions, neither the initiation nor the spread of fire is possible. However, the protected area remains accessible for intended activities, provided that the relevant regulatory requirements are complied with. Education, clear examples, and reliable evidence are particularly important here.” 

“A key trend is the ever-increasing automation – even in markets where space or labor shortages have long played a much less significant role, such as in the U.S. In addition, warehouse concepts are becoming more flexible: customers need to be able to accommodate different temperature ranges, types of goods, and business models. For fire protection, this means that solutions must be planned on a case-by-case basis, regularly reviewed, and adapted when conditions change.” 

“Incorporate fire protection into new construction, extension, or expansion projects as early as possible. The fire protection concept can have an impact on architecture, engineering, and systems planning. If you wait too long to address this, you risk having to make costly adjustments. Or, to put it simply: It’s best to talk to people who think about fire protection from an international perspective as soon as you first have an idea for expansion.”

“What excites me most about this position is its international nature – even setting aside our technical focus: the different markets, cultures, languages, and perspectives. It’s simply a privilege to be able to do something like this. I really enjoy it – no ifs, ands, or buts.”