Sprinklers, wall hydrants, nitrogen, and deluge extinguishing systems: Nothing is left to chance when it comes to preventative fire protection in the two buildings of DKV (German Health Insurance) in Cologne, Germany. In addition, a Rosenbauer employee is always on site to ensure full functionality and maximum fire safety.
The DKV headquarters, built in the 1960s, is part of Cologne’s cityscape and has housed the central administration of the DKV for decades. Due to a need for more space, another office building was built in the immediate vicinity in the early 2000s. Both buildings are equipped with a wide range of preventive fire protection systems, which are looked after and maintained by Rosenbauer.
Water tanks over multiple floors
Different fire protection systems are used in the different areas of the building
Different fire protection systems are used in the different areas of the building. On the one hand, this is a result of legal requirements and, on the other, provides fire protection that is as efficient as possible.
The heart of the entire fire protection system is located on the lower floors of the two skyscrapers. The large water tanks extend over several floors. The sprinkler control panels and the associated pumping technology are also housed in these areas.
The right system for every purpose
Econ-Aqua systems are installed in most fire sections: These wet alarm valve stations are permanently pressurized and the pipes leading to the sprinklers are already filled with water. If the critical temperature is reached, a glass bulb breaks and water escapes from the sprinklers.
The corresponding station opens and the pump system is activated by the water flowing in. This type of fire protection system is primarily used in standard offices, underground car parks, and technical rooms.
Dry alarm valve station
In contrast to the wet alarm valve station, the pipes in the dry alarm valve station are not filled with water, but rather with air. But these are also constantly pressurized.
In the event of a loss of pressure - if the glass barrel breaks due to high temperatures - the extinguishing system is also automatically activated and pumps in water. Such dry alarm stations are mainly used in areas where there is a risk of frost, because frost damage cannot occur as there is no water.
Special systems for sensitive areas
The pre-controlled sprinkler groups are unique because their pipes are also dry
The pre-controlled sprinkler groups are unique because their pipes are also dry. In order to further minimize the risk of false alarms and unnecessary water damage, they are only triggered when the fire alarm system in the same area is also triggered. Such pre-controlled systems are used in sensitive areas, such as archives.
Nitrogen extinguishing systems were installed in the two DKV buildings to protect the control cabinets in the technical rooms. A pipe intake system allows air to continuously circulate, and this is guided past a smoke detector. As soon as this smoke detector is triggered, nitrogen is blown into the control cabinet and the fire is smothered before it can take hold.
Fire protection for ventilation and kitchens
Fire dampers have been installed to prevent smoke gases from spreading through the ventilation system in the event of a fire. Smoke and thermal detectors - as well as an extinguishing nozzle - are installed both upstream and downstream of them. In the event of a fire, water can be introduced here to flush the smoke gases out of the air.
Special extinguishing systems are also used in the canteens: extinguishing nozzles are installed in extractor hoods, fryers, and other appliances. Running parallel to these is a pre-tensioned cable with melting plumb bobs, which – as the name suggests – will melt if a sufficiently high temperature is reached. This would release the ANSUL extinguishing agent, which is specifically suited to grease fires. The kitchen extinguishing systems can also be activated manually.
‘Zone Checks’ and wall hydrants installed
There are also more than 100 wall hydrants distributed throughout both buildings
There are also more than 100 wall hydrants distributed throughout both buildings, with a 30-meter hose on every floor. In order to be able to locate a fire quickly in the event of an emergency, almost 100 so-called ‘Zone Checks’ have also been installed.
The two fire protection systems in the DKV skyscrapers in Cologne are among the largest systems managed by Rosenbauer in the German-speaking world. In addition, a Rosenbauer employee remains constantly on site to carry out maintenance work and statutory inspections.
Rosenbauer Mastercontrol
The Rosenbauer Mastercontrol, which is operated from inside one of the buildings, provides significant support in this regard. This system replaces time-consuming manual component checks with automated routines and not only offers the most accurate documentation through electronic measurement recordings, but also saves a lot of time and therefore costs.
Thanks to systems that are perfectly tailored to the respective needs of the individual building areas, preventive fire protection can be optimally guaranteed. The sophisticated extinguishing technology ensures that a fire is extinguished before it can develop into a major threat, and thus fully lives up to the name ‘preventive’.