Stacking up fire safety issues in a modern warehouse

The changing nature of the warehousing sector is creating new and complex safety issues, especially around fire protection, but the right expert help can go a long way to tackling the challenges.

The role of warehouses is changing, a transformation that has been accelerated by the pandemic. They are no longer simply storage facilities; they are a vital part of logistics and retail supply networks, complete with high levels of automation. The modern warehouse is a sophisticated, computerised and highly efficient fulfilment centre – it is also an environment that can be difficult to manage from a fire safety perspective.

In large open spaces with high airflow, smoke is quickly diluted, often making it difficult for traditional passive detectors, in which sensors are placed near or at the ceiling because smoke rises, to provide early alarms. In addition to high ceilings, warehouses also pose other challenges related to smoke detection. Mechanical heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems or natural ventilation can divert smoke away from detection points, while layers of warm air, often created by poor insulation, can stop smoke from reaching detectors. Racking and warehousing equipment can also trap smoke away from detection, effectively hiding a fire until it has caught hold.

The scale of the issue is substantial. According to the latest statistics from the United States National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in 2018, 27,000 fires were recorded in storage facilities across the country. Just as worrying are false alarms – UK government statistics reveal that false alarms accounted for more than 4 in 10 incidents attended by English fire and rescue services in 2019. Around two thirds (67%) of these fire false alarms were linked to fire detection apparatus, either because of human error or malfunctioning.

These types of issues are universal – that’s why advanced detectors and voice alarm systems can be essential for maintaining a safe warehouse environment.

Dedicated safety technology

At Honeywell, we’ve been developing tailor-made fire safety and security systems for decades. We know how important early warnings are in a warehouse – both for the safety of those inside as well as protecting property. Our solutions, which are designed to serve the needs of facilities of all sizes, can improve safety through the deployment of progressive fire and voice alarms along with dedicated safety technologies.

Bringing this all together to create a reliable implementation requires equipment that meets the specific needs of an individual site. It also needs a deep understanding of the issues involved. For example, a key consideration when specifying smoke detectors is their activation time, which is principally dependent on sensitivity; the higher the sensitivity the lower the concentration of smoke that is needed to activate the detector. The sensitivity of smoke detectors can vary quite substantially from one technology to another so specifying a detection system that is appropriate to the fire risk is paramount.

That’s why Honeywell recommends an engineering-led Performance Based Design (PBD), tailored to the specific requirements of an individual warehouse environment, to be used when designing fire detection and suppression systems. For example, the location of the detectors or the distance between sampling points may need to be adapted to suit specific conditions. For a facility to be properly protected it may also need door entry systems and CCTV.

Gaining access to the experts

Warehouse managers already have enough to consider without having to add upgrading fire protection systems to their list of responsibilities. That’s why Honeywell has created an online event specifically created to focus on the warehousing sector, which aims to explain what to consider when implementing a fully featured fire safety solution.

The seminar, part of the Honeywell Beyond programme, will deliver sector-specific guidance, analysis and insights about the problems of assembling the best possible solutions and how best to overcome them. Keep an eye out for more details soon.

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