Europe’’ freezers are filling up fast. Fuelled by the surge in online grocery shopping, a growing preference for healthy fresh produce and the expansion of the pharmaceutical industry, demand for cold storage is booming. Allied Market Research forecasts the European cold chain logistics market to grow at a striking 14.6% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), jumping from an estimated USD $64.1billion in 2022 to USD $239.71 billion by 2032.
While pinpointing the exact cold storage capacity is difficult, these figures translate to a clear picture: it’s vast and growing rapidly. ECSLA (the European Cold Storage and Logistics Association) represents thousands of members, whose combined cold storage space adds up to more than 60 million cubic metres – and that’s likely just the tip of the iceberg.
In the UK alone, a 2020 study in association with the Cold Chain Federation identified 37.39 million cubic metres of existing cold storage, with an additional 4.67 million cubic metres under construction or being fitted out. That’s roughly equivalent to 1,868 Olympic swimming pools’ worth of new space. This trend is mirrored across Europe, with new cold storage facilities popping up everywhere – and all that space needs to be protected from fire risk.
Unique fire risks to cold storage
While some fire risks in cold storage mirror regular warehouses – equipment malfunctions, overloaded circuits and overheating lights (particularly the high-powered ones used in these facilities) – there are also unique hazards to consider. Leaks from ammonia-based refrigeration systems, although uncommon, are flammable and dangerous if they encounter a spark. Perhaps most surprisingly, the very environment that keeps goods fresh can also contribute to fires. The extremely dry air in cold storage creates static electricity, which can ignite flammable packaging or insulation.
Protecting the people working in these facilities is paramount. Beyond that, fires can cause significant damage to products, equipment and the building itself – and then there’s the financial cost of lost productivity. Fire protection systems are, therefore, an essential investment to safeguard not just lives but the entire cold storage operation.
Even with dry sprinklers, which hold water back from entering the system until needed to prevent freezing inside the head, failures can occur if the seal around the pipe into the chiller unit is compromised. Vibrations from people walking on the unit’s roof for maintenance can weaken the seal over time, leading to condensation and ice formation around the outside of the sprinkler head. At best, this can result in downtime for the chiller unit to address the issue. At worst, water wouldn’t be able to pass through the ice-encrusted sprinkler head to extinguish a fire.
Faster, more reliable fire protection
Victaulic offers a solution to the challenge of maintaining seal integrity with a VicFlexTM hose, dry sprinkler and a Style AB6 bracket. The flexible hose with dry sprinkler attached can be easily manoeuvred and adjusted into the right position, while the bracket absorbs differential movement caused by vibrations, ensuring the seal remains intact. It can be adjusted to any wall thickness or ceiling height and seals to a wide variety of surfaces, even if they are corrugated or dimpled.
As well as providing reliable fire protection inside cold storage units, Victaulic solutions are also quick and easy to install. This is crucial for ensuring fire protection installation can keep up with the rapid pace of cold storage facility construction. Labour shortages, particularly in skilled positions, are one of the biggest challenges affecting productivity in construction. However, a VicFlexTM hose and Style AB6 bracket can be installed by a single person, who, with minimal training, can quickly grasp the right technique.
During installation, the hose is simply inserted into the bracket. If it is properly aligned, it will be centred within the symmetrical opening when viewed from above, providing a visual cue for correct alignment. There’s also no need for measuring, cutting or multiple trips to the chiller unit, and no waiting for foam or glue to cure for the seal. Whereas two labourers could install two traditional threaded dry sprinkler heads and black pipe in one hour, the Style AB6 bracket enables up to 25 dry sprinkler heads to be fitted within the same timeframe. That’s an enormous increase in efficiency and productivity.
Fire protection now up to 12.2 m with Style AB6
Previously the Style AB6 offering could protect facilities up to 9.1m (30ft), but this has now changed. Victaulic has launched the model V4102 K16.8 Pendent ESFR Sprinkler to go with the Style AB6 bracket. This dry sprinkler assembly with lightweight design comes pre-assembled with the Style AB6 bracket and Series GH1 flexible fitting for simplified installation and protects cold storage applications up to 12.2m (40ft.). The sprinkler’s 1in (25mm) tube design minimises thermal transfer from the cold space and due to the combination with the AB6 bracket and the Series GH1 flexible fitting, it allows for one-person installation.
For cold storage facilities up to 13.7m (45ft), Victaulic offers its K25.2 Standard Response CMSA Upright Sprinklers (Model V4603).
The rapid expansion of cold storage facilities in Europe demands innovative fire protection solutions that can be installed quickly and effectively. By prioritising fire safety alongside construction speed, Victaulic can ensure the well-being of workers, safeguard valuable products and prevent costly disruptions within the cold chain.
For more information, go to at www.victaulic.com
About the Author
Graeme Leonard is EMEA Fire Protection Division Manager at Victaulic.
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