Due to the concentration of production resources and inventories in ever-larger operating facilities, fire loads and possible consequential fire damage in food processing plants have risen considerably in recent years. The causes of fires are manifold: short circuits, ignition of packaging materials, fires in cold storage rooms, or grease fires are just a few of the causes.
The consequences of fires can threaten the existence of companies. High property damage, expensive remediation measures as well as business interruptions, and loss of clients mean that, according to the bvfa (German Federal Association of Technical Fire Protection), almost half of the companies affected by a fire cannot resume operations.
VOSSKO, the convenience specialist
VOSSKO GmbH & Co. KG, based in Germany, specializes in the production of frozen products. The company serves clients with its country-specific product range in the retail and catering sectors as well as hospitals, care facilities, and schools worldwide.
More than 700 employees work at the site in Ostbevern with a production capacity of 30,000 t per year. VOSSKO is thus one of the most important employers in the region.
Delivering sprinkler system
To safeguard production operations and protect employees, VOSSKO opted for comprehensive fire protection from Rosenbauer, in accordance with the applicable VdS regulations.
The delivery and production areas as well as high-bay warehouses are protected with a classic sprinkler system. This is reliably triggered by heat build-up. The filled piping network brings water immediately to the seat of the fire and enables rapid and effective extinguishing.
Optimal protection for every area
Sprinkler systems with dry alarm valves were installed in the cooling areas prone to frosts, such as the deep-freeze warehouses and the packaging and shipping areas. In these sections, the pipe network from the alarm valve to the sprinkler is filled with compressed air. If a sprinkler opens due to the effects of heat, the pressure in the pipe network drops, the alarm valve opens and the pipe network is deluged. VdS-compliant fire protection concept meets insurance requirements and safeguards ongoing production operations
Adequate protection in the waste areas is provided through a deluge system that quickly releases a large amount of water in the event of a fire and thus prevents its spread.
Common rooms, offices, and the factory outlet are also protected by a sprinkler system. In the canteen, the RPE Kitchen Ansul kitchen protection system provides sufficient safety against possible grease fires. The extinguishing effect here is based on a reaction of the extinguishing agent with the burning fat and is hygienically harmless.
Impressive technology
A tank with a capacity of 1,250 m3 of water supplies the extinguishing systems. The pumps with a flow rate of almost 16,000 l/min [4,220 gpm] transport the extinguishing agent to the approximately 6,200 sprinklers installed throughout the plant.
This VdS-compliant fire protection concept meets insurance requirements and successfully safeguards ongoing production operations.