TeamworX Team
20 Jun 2025
Warehouses play a crucial role in the supply chain by storing millions of goods and commodities before they are distributed to end users. The combination of large volumes of flammable materials and various racking systems makes warehouses highly vulnerable to fire hazards. Therefore, a reliable and effective firefighting system is essential to mitigate these risks.
What is a racked warehouse?
A racked warehouse is a storage facility that uses a racking system to store goods vertically. These racks can often exceed 10 meters in height, making them ideal for handling large volumes of inventory using various storage methods. While this setup improves operational efficiency, it also presents complex fire safety challenges that require specifically designed fire protection systems.
How to design a firefighting system in a racked warehouse?
In general, the primary function of a firefighting system is to protect workers’ lives and minimize asset loss. To design the most efficient and effective system for a warehouse with racking system, the hazard classification must first be determined.
Here are three key factors to consider when determining hazard classification, along with guiding questions:
How tall will the racking be?
For example: 10 meters, 13 meters, or more.
What types of commodities will be stored?
For example: rubber, plastic, grain, or alcohol.
What storage methods will be used?
For example: pallet racking, shelving, or high-piled storage.
For instance, a warehouse storing flammable liquids like alcohol will require a different level of protection than one storing grains.
“Determining the hazard classification is crucial for selecting a sprinkler system with the appropriate k-factor for the building,' said Firmansyah, Engineering Manager for Mechanical at TeamworX.
K-factor is a parameter that determines the flow rate of water discharged from the sprinkler head.
“If the warehouse stores a mix of goods, we design the firefighting system based on the element with the highest hazard classification,” Firmansyah added.
Why do racked warehouses need an effective and efficient firefighting system?
In warehouses with racking systems, storage heights can reach up to 13 meters. If a fire breaks out at an elevated level, a system capable of delivering higher pressure and flow rates is required to prevent rapid spread.
Firmansyah explained that TeamworX typically utilizes a combination of roof sprinklers and in-rack sprinklers to combat fires. When a fire occurs, not all sprinklers activate at once. Instead, it only triggers the sprinklers in the area where the fire occurred, which helps maintain pressure and ensures effective suppression where it's needed most.
“We also combine water-based and foam-based sprinklers to disrupt the fire triangle (heat, oxygen, hydrocarbon), preventing it from spreading and causing major losses,” Firmansyah explained.
Water-based sprinklers are generally sufficient for common commodities like grain, rubber, and plastics. Meanwhile, foam-based sprinklers are used for high-risk materials such as flammable liquids.
Moving forward, fire protection systems for warehouses may adopt hybrid suppression systems that combine two or more chemical agents to generate a water mist that suppresses fire with minimal collateral damage.
“This innovation is still under testing, but it will be widely adopted once proven and certified,” Firmansyah concluded.
