In 2017, KOMSA commissioned WAGNER to equip the automated compact storage system at its headquarters in Hartmannsdorf (Germany) with modern fire protection. Conventional fire protection systems such as sprinkler systems do not adequately meet the protection goals defined by KOMSA. Due to the compact design, in which the containers are stacked close together, the extinguishing water often cannot reach the source of the fire and therefore cannot fight it effectively. The individual and holistic fire protection solution developed by WAGNER is based on active fire prevention with the OxyReduct® oxygen reduction system in combination with the TITANUS® early fire detection system.
At the end of 2017, KOMSA invested in an automated compact storage system to optimize its logistics processes. The containers are stored in blocks in a grid, by a self-supporting aluminum construction, and automatically fed to the picking module by robot. The high packing density resulting from compact storage requires a scalable fire protection solution to protect the stored technical products and maintain the flow of goods.
With the robot-supported compact storage system, KOMSA has invested in the current and future requirements of its retail partners in order to deliver goods as quickly as possible after ordering. At their locations KOMSA stores tablets, smartphones, laptops and routers, etc.
KOMSA is one of Europe's leading distributors and service providers for modern communication technology, based in Hartmannsdorf, Saxony. More than 1,000 people are employed in Germany and Poland.
RISK ANALYSIS
The compact storage of the containers leads to high packing density, which means that a fire can spread unhindered. The polypropylene small load carrier containers behave like flammable liquids in the event of a fire, while the batteries and charging stations of the robots pose an additional fire risk. The high degree of automation, combined with a high proportion of installed electrical systems, increases the risk of overheating or short circuits.
PROTECTION GOALS
SOLUTION
To achieve the protection goals defined by the customer and taking into account the specific risks in the KOMSA warehouse, our project team developed an individual, holistic fire protection solution consisting of our OxyReduct® fire prevention technology in combination with TITANUS® aspirating smoke detectors for early fire detection.
The active oxygen reduction system OxyReduct® prevents the spread of fires and thus provides targeted protection against fire-related loss of goods as well as interruptions or complete operational failures. The principle of oxygen reduction is based on permanently lowering the oxygen content in the area to be protected below the ignition threshold of the materials present there and keeping it at this level in a controlled manner. This is achieved by introducing nitrogen, which is generated on-site as required from the ambient air using a physical filtering process.
As there is still a risk of short circuits on cables and electrical components even in an oxygen-reduced environment, the fire protection installed at KOMSA is in combination with the highly sensitive TITANUS® aspirating smoke detectors. TITANUS® aspirating smoke detectors detect even the finest smoke particles at a very early stage, enabling countermeasures to be initiated in good time, such as switching off the power supply.
Insights into the automated compact storage system from KOMSA
CUSTOMER BENEFITS
No additional space required within the warehouse; full utilization of the storage system is therefore guaranteed.
Active fire prevention system for permanent, reliable fire protection; conventional systems require fire development to be triggered.
Nitrogen is generated directly on-site from the ambient air. The system is located in an external equipment room (container solution).
The fire protection solution can be easily adapted to any building shape and is scalable for future expansions.
In the event of fire, no disposal of fire residues or extinguishing agents is required.
CUSTOMER VOICE
”The effects of fire, such as high temperatures, smoke and extinguishing water, would contaminate and destroy our goods. This leads to the interruption of our operating processes and consequently to the loss of our ability to deliver – an absolute no-go for us. So we quickly came across the active fire prevention technology OxyReduct ® from WAGNER.”
CUSTOMER VOICE
”For us, it is crucial that we can extremely minimize the risk of fire-related disruption with the individual fire protection solution from WAGNER.”
We will be happy to advise you individually.
