FG Conference 2020 Steve Plummer, FM Global FM Global Leading - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Top-Load Automated Storage Retrieval Systems (ASRS)

FM Global Data Sheet 8-34

FG Conference 2020 Steve Plummer, FM Global

• Leading industrial and

commercial property insurer

• Long history of cutting-

edge research and testing

• Mutual partnership with

insured customers

• Public data sheets on

property loss prevention

FM Global

FM Global Data Sheet 8-34

• Free on fmglobal.com
• Mini-load ASRS
• Rack-structure ASRS
• Vertically enclosed ASRS
• Top-loading ASRS
• Solid-walled containers

Different ASRS Types

• Ref. www.storagesolutionsinc.com

Rack-structure ASRS

(e.g., pallet shuttle system)

Mini-load ASRS Vertically enclosed ASRS

What are top-loading ASRS?

Fire at a food distribution warehouse UK, February 2019

• Ref. www.bbc.co.uk

Fire department report

• First fire in the UK involving a building of this nature
• Ignition due to arcing in the charging process of a robot
• 30 minutes from fire discovery to fire brigade call
• During this period, the sprinkler system was turned off for a

period of 5 minutes

• Fire was deep seated and impossible to access
• All tactical options were used including ultra-high-pressure

lances, compressed air foam, and traditional hoses

• Despite efforts of seven fire departments over four days, the

building was a total loss

FM Global Testing

A series of full-scale fire tests were conducted

Solid walled plastic containers Ceiling sprinklers Fixed monitor nozzles

FM Global Configuration ▪ 20 m2 ▪ Storage height: 5.5 m ▪ Ceiling: 12 m Ignition ▪ Base of storage ▪ Beneath robot ▪ Under-1 sprinkler Sprinkler Protection ▪ K200, QR ▪ 5.2 bar = 49 mm/min

FM Global Sprinkler protection is controlling the fire. Sprinklers turned off after 30 minutes to see if the fire is out.

FM Global Smoke generation was

• bserved (fire not out).

FM Global Sprinklers turned back

• n and monitor nozzles

used to extinguish the fire.

What did we learn?

Sprinklers can suppress the fire Manual water monitors help extinguish the fire Robots obstruct sprinklers and water monitors

What did we learn?

Lower ceilings can reduce the hazard Vertical barriers stop the spread and segregate the hazard Pre-incident planning is critical

What is changing?

▪ Sprinkler protection & water supply ▪ Fixed monitor nozzles ▪ Early notification ▪ Vertical barriers ▪ Grid access ▪ Pre-incident planning ▪ Electrical system maintenance

New guidance

Sprinkler Protection

Sprinkler Protection ▪ Per Data Sheet 8-34, Tables 17 & 18 Table 17. Storage < 6.1 m

Sprinkler Protection

Sprinkler Protection ▪ Per Data Sheet 8-34, Tables 17 & 18 Table 18. Storage > 6.1 m

Water Supply

Design ceiling-level sprinklers, fixed monitor nozzles, and small hose stations for: ❑ Minimum 2 hours for ceiling heights ≤ 7.6 m ❑ Minimum 4 hours for ceiling heights > 7.6 m

Vertical Barriers

Limits horizontal fire spread

▪ Barriers limit fire area (max. 93 m2) ▪ Subdivision of storage

Provides design flexibility

▪ Separation of storage for difficult to access areas

Water Monitors

▪ For ceilings higher than 7.6 m and no vertical barriers ▪ Manual operation via remote control ▪ Infrared cameras needed ▪ Minimum two monitors

▪ To reach any grid location

▪ Monitor spacing

▪ Per manufacturer specification ▪ Tested 30 m spacing, representing 900 m2 protected area

Long wave IR with 17o FOV lens

Early Notification

Notification ▪ Early notification via sensitive heat or smoke detection ▪ Activation stops robot charging ▪ Sends robots back to a designated holding area Robots should vacate grid to non-combustible area ▪ Obstructs fire protection and creates hazard ▪ Triggered by early detection (prior to sprinkler operation)

Grid Access

▪ Access to top grid is important for final extinguishment ▪ Floor-level access walkways or similar access around storage perimeter ▪ Mezzanine level walkways around the perimeter ▪ Elevated mezzanines across the storage grid if > 30 m wide ▪ Require at least two points of egress

Pre-incident Planning

Pre-incident planning is critical

▪ Fire department may not be informed of installation in existing building ▪ Materials list of stored commodities ▪ Access around the gird ▪ Training

▪ Top of grid access points ▪ Use of fire monitors

▪ Fire testing shows that fire extinguishment is slow ▪ Prolonged fire service efforts may be required (before turning off protection) ▪ Written and tested pre-incident plan

FM Global InsurerFMGlobal @FMGlobal FM Global

Steve Plummer

Thank You