How we protect warehouses and storage spaces

On Monday, August 8, 2024, an RO-Alert message was issued due to heavy smoke emissions from a warehouse near the commune of Costinești. Three fire trucks were dispatched to the scene to extinguish the fires.

According to the National Fire Protection Association of America (NFPA), between 2014 and 2018, 1210 major fires occurred in storage halls. The cause of the fires is usually electrical in nature, originating from electrical panels or the lighting system in the hall. In the case of refrigerated halls, technical failures in the thermal circuit can occur. The process of cold inside - heat outside represents, in the context of a heat exhaust failure in the cooling system, a real danger and an important catalyst for the start of a fire.

According to the NFPA, annually in America, due to fires in warehouses, 6 people die, 38 are injured and $195 million in property damage occurs. As a rule, once the fire starts, it easily spreads to the building structure, but also to neighboring buildings, due to the fact that the stored goods usually represent a good fuel for the fire, in addition to the large volume of oxygen contained in the warehouse.

In March 2023, a significant fire broke out at the "Ploiești Industrial Warehouse" located in the industrial area of the city of Ploiești. The fire drew attention to the need for strict fire safety measures in such locations. I The fire broke out in a space used to store various industrial materials. Emergency crews, including firefighters and hazardous materials response units, were quickly mobilized to control the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby structures.

The fire caused significant damage to the warehouse, destroying large quantities of stored materials. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, but the financial impact was substantial, affecting both the storage company and its customers. Initial investigations suggested that the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, a common problem in facilities that store large quantities of goods. Further analysis was conducted to determine the exact cause and to prevent future incidents.

How do we protect ourselves from such fires?

1. Detection and spraying installations and systems

First of all, the correct installation and design of sprinkler systems is vital. Starting from the hydrant system, dry columns, fire detectors and so on, these systems are vital for the prevention and extinguishing of fires.

According to international data, sprinkler systems are effective in controlling fires in 95% of cases when they are correctly installed and regularly maintained. In Romania, statistics show that in buildings equipped with sprinklers, the number of victims and material damage has decreased significantly compared to those without these systems. Approximately 30% of large industrial and storage buildings built after 2015 are equipped with sprinkler systems.

2. BlazeCut T Series

Therefore, for the prevention of fires in electrical panels, BlazeCut T Series is the ideal solution. This is an autonomous device for extinguishing fires in electrical panels / server units or small unattended spaces.

Very simple and quick to install, it is the most cost-effective way to prevent fires in small/medium sized enclosed spaces. It consists of a heat-sensitive tube, made of a special material, with both storage and detection functions, meaning that the extinguishing agent present in the device is sprayed immediately after the fire occurs to prevent the fire from spreading.

Eliminate the chance of fire starting in enclosed spaces from causing immense damage! See the product: BlazeCut T Series .

3. Zenova FX500

If the prevention component has not been taken into account, we recommend the Zenova FX extinguishers. They are specially and uniquely designed to extinguish any type of fire. We can say that they are 6-in-1, due to the fact that they extinguish class A, B, C, D, Electric & F fires.

Zenova FX is a range of fire extinguishers that are effective and safe for all types of fires, eliminating the risks associated with firefighting and reducing the total number of extinguishers required for the same level of fire safety.

Zenova FX extinguishers are available in a range of sizes: 9L, 6L and a convenient 500ml aerosol.

Zenova FX500 fire extinguishers are essential in any fire safety strategy, serving as an immediate response to minimize property damage and save lives. Designed to be portable, highly effective and easy to use, the Zenova FX500 has been independently tested and is safe for use on any type of fire.

See extinguishers:Zenova FX .

4. Bridgehill Fire Blankets

An alternative method that guarantees the extinguishing and elimination of any type of fire, especially electrical. Bridgehill blankets use a new technology, the basic material of these products being pyroxene. Distreo offers 3 sizes of blankets: those for cars, for forklifts/pallet trucks and those for scooters or electric bicycles.

It allows extinguishing a classic vehicle in 20-30 minutes without the use of water or extinguishers and also isolating any fire caused by electric vehicles or lithium-ion batteries until the firefighters intervene, eliminating the risk of an extensive fire and significant damage .

Present in numerous countries, with awards at various fairs for the efficiency of interventions in warehouses, underground parking lots, production areas, fire departments or car dealerships, BRIDGEHILL FIRE BLANKET is now also present in Romania through DISTREO. This product was designed and manufactured in Norway.

Learn more about the product: Fire blankets .

ConCluSIonS

The implementation of these solutions significantly contributes to increasing safety in storage facilities in Romania. Fire detection and extinguishing systems, along with periodic maintenance and personnel training, represent the pillars of a safe and fire-protected environment. The solutions proposed by Distreo are essential for protecting lives and property, thus ensuring the continuity and security of industrial and storage operations.