Office buildings

Archives house documents and information in the form of paper files or data carriers. Shelving bays or mobile storage racks make for transparent storage and as needed for quick access to specific information. The ceiling height is typically used to the limit.

• Technical defects in devices such as the motors of electric mobile storage racks
• Overheating of ceiling lighting
• Highly flammable materials

Sprinkler systems installed for the overall protection of the building typically provide the necessary safety in archives. The use of Preaction sprinklers prevents an unintentional triggering of the extinguishing system caused by accidental damage to a sprinkler. Oxeo inert gas extinguishing systems completely exclude water damage to archived materials. They are also an optimal solution if the distance between the upper edge of the shelves and the ceiling is too narrow for sprinklers. Oxeo extinguishing systems are triggered by a fire detection system using HELIOS AMX5000 aspirating smoke detectors.

Storage rooms serve to store various materials. Storage frequently includes everyday office supplies, hygiene products or cleaning agents. Other storerooms may serve to store hand tools, computer equipment or retail goods. For food, storage in integrated cold store cells or -rooms may be required

• Short circuits in wiring cabinets or cable lines
• Carelessly discarded cigarette butts
• High fire load due to concentration of stored goods in a confined space

Sprinkler systems are often the first choice for logistics areas. Depending on the deployment conditions, sprinklers may be installed both under the ceiling and in the shelves. If the cold store cells are integrated into a storage room, they can be integrated in an existing sprinkler system by using dry sprinklers. Due to its design, the narrow hydrant cabinet from Minimax Mobile Services saves valuable storage space and is therefore ideally suited for use in logistics areas. 

Large quantities of different types of packaging waste are often collected in separate recycling and waste collection areas. Cardboard and trash compactors reduce the storage volume. In addition, waste is also stored in containers in outside areas.

• Auto-ignition in case of insufficient ventilation
• Large quantities of highly flammable organic material
• Arson in outdoor areas
• Carelessly discarded cigarette butts

The sprinkler systems used for the protection of buildings effectively combat fires also in the case of burning organic waste and packaging materials. Outdoor areas can be included in the protection range, in which case a dry system or, alternatively, Minimax PipeGuard Antifreeze prevents freezing of the extinguishing water and protects against possible frost damage. If large quantities are stored, a deluge system with open nozzles should rather be selected. This system is triggered by a fire detection system with UniVario industrial smoke detectors.

Sales floors frequently present a particular architectural challenge. It is not uncommon to have sales floors with elaborately designed entrance areas made of different materials, as well as with an extensive lighting system and in open construction. In addition, atria and open galleries enhance a sense of exclusivity. Characteristic for all sales outlets is regular exposure to the public and, accordingly, a high demand for human safety.

• Large number of highly flammable goods
• Short circuits on permanently running projectors
• Defective lighting equipment
• Arson

Undercover sprinklers are especially suitable when a sprinkler system is used. They fit harmoniously and inconspicuously into a ceiling pattern. Thus there is no discrepancy between reliable fire protection and the demand for discerning aesthetics and furnishings for prestigious shops and sales floors. 

HVACR rooms are an absolute key area for the proper operation of a building. In addition to switching and control systems for the elevator system, they house safety-relevant HVACR systems, such as overpressure control, that keep the escape routes smoke-free in the event of fire. The facilities are particularly sensitive and must function without interruption - only then can the operation be maintained without problems on all floors of the building.

• Overheated ventilators, compressors and cooling units
• Short circuits on electronic components

In case of particularly high availability requirements, e.g. for the switching and control system of the elevator system, residue-free extinguishing with Oxeo extinguishing systems or MX 1230 fire extinguishing systems makes sense. A fire detection system using the HELIOS AMX5000 smoke aspirating system triggers the extinguishing system.

Alternatively HVACR rooms can be integrated into the overall building protection through sprinkler systems. If necessary, the use of Preaction sprinklers makes an unintentional triggering of extinguishing system virtually impossible. 

Emergency generators are often housed in separate premises. During a power failure, these generators secure the power supply, maintain business operation and prevent financial loss due to an operational interruption.

• Diesel fuel, which ignites on hot surfaces
• Leaking lubrication oil

For local protection of the emergency generator, Minifog ProCon water mist extinguishing systems are ideal. These can be connected to the sprinkler systems installed for building protection purposes and fight fires quickly and effectively through open water mist nozzles. Minifog ProCon water mist extinguishing systems are triggered by a fire detection system that uses UniVario flame or heat detectors to detect fires.

Atria are representative central areas of a building, which serve as entrance areas and can to some extent also be used as event locations due to their architecture and dimensions. Some atria extend across the entire height of the building and are lit from above by natural light through a glass dome. Due to the central location of the atria, most passages branch off from the atrium to almost all other areas and levels of a building.

• Overheating of the lighting
• Defects in electrical devices such as promotional displays
• Event-related or seasonal decorations, e.g. with candles

The special construction and dimensions of atria make the installation of automatic extinguishing systems indispensable. In spaces with a ceiling height of more than 15 m, deluge systems ensure reliable firefighting. In this case, the extinguishing system is triggered by a fire detection system with linear smoke detectors. For lower ceiling heights, the sprinkler system used for building protection is a suitable alternative. 

Extensive parking facilities are especially convenient for customers and employees. Due to space limitations, parking is often provided in highly frequented, multi-story car parks.

• Technical defects in parked vehicles
• Careless smoking
• Arson
• Rapid spreading of fire and development of smoke

Minfog EconAqua water mist extinguishing systems offer a water and space-saving fire extinguishing method for underground car parks. For higher ceilings, sprinkler systems are a reliable alternative. 

Server rooms are important, sensitive areas. In these rooms, data of high importance for business operations is stored, managed and exchanged over the network. The irretrievable loss of this data through a fire may have considerable economic consequences for productivity or even the future of a company.

• Overheating of technical equipment
• Defects such as short circuits
• Considerable damage even in the case of small fires

For small and medium-sized server rooms, the MX 1230 extinguishing system is the ideal solution. It gives residue-free extinguishing using the innovative FK 5-1-12 extinguishing agents and requires very little space. Oxeo inert gas extinguishing systems are ideal for large server rooms. The MX 1230 extinguishing system and Oxeo inert gas extinguishing systems are triggered, and fires are detected, by a fire detection system using a HELIOS AMX5000 smoke aspirating system.

Offices, conference rooms and dining rooms are generally used by staff and guests. In addition, staff members may also retire to break rooms or smoking rooms and to kitchens during work. Corridors run through the entire building, serving as a main traffic route.

• Defective electrical devices such as projectors and computers
• Overheating of the lighting
• Short circuits at vending machines

Minifog EconAqua water mist extinguishing systems offer space- and water-saving protection and can be connected to an existing sprinkler system. In areas with higher ceilings, sprinkler systems provide reliable fire protection. 

Larger buildings must be equipped with numerous power and data cables and pipelines. These run between the floors of the building in bundles through riser ducts. On each floor, supply lines branch off to the various stories. Riser ducts provide protection against damage and visually cover up the cabling at the same time.

• Short circuits in power cables
• Drafts and vertical alignment of the duct are conducive to a rapid spread of the fire

Riser ducts are reliably protected by the sprinkler systems through the sprinkler systems installed for the protection of the building. For shaft heights of more than 15 m, deluge systems are used. In this case, a fire detection system with punctiform smoke detectors ensures automatic triggering of the extinguishing system.