Conference

Paper

FIRE PROTECTION
AND COLD STORAGE
A Report on the Conference on
Safety and Prevention of Fire in Cold Stores,
17- 19 March 1982, Paris

PRIVATE BAG PORIFIUA

BUILDING RESEARCH ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND

 FIRE PROTECTION AND COLD STORAGE

Conference Paper 6 J.H. Hunt

//

Reference:

Hunt, J.H. 1983. Fire protection and cold storage.. Building Research Association of
New Zealand, Conference Paper 6. Judgeford

Keywords:

Cold storage spaces; Design; Fire protection; Frozen foods; Refrigerated storage
spaces; Safety; Smoke; Thermal insulation.

Abstract:

This report is the result of a commission from the Building Research Association of
New Zealand t o Morrison Cooper and Partners t o assist the author t o attend a
conference in Paris in March 1982, on fire prevention and safety in cold stores. In view
of a previous involvement by BRANZ in conducting tests for the New Zealand Freezing
Companies Association and the importance of f i r e safety strategies in the design of
modern meat processing works, it was considered valuable for New Zealand t o learn the
views of other countries, and t o make known t o them recent developments i n New Zealand.
 Page

- Introduction

Aim of Conference
.
.. Conclusions of Conference

Purpose of Attending Conference

a-
Overall Conciusions

Selected items from Papers of Particular

Relevance to the New Zealand Situation

General Discussion

1 Site Visits

Appendix I
conference Statistics, Delegates and Countries

Appendix 2
Conference Programme and Preprints

Appendix 3
Protection of Foamed Plastic Insulation
 INTRODUCTION

I n t h e e a r l y 1 9 7 0 ' s New Z e a l a n d ' s m e a t i n d u s t r y was f a c e d w i t h a n

e x t e n s i v e r e b u i l d i n g programme i n o r d e r t o c o m p l y w i t h t h e h y g i e n e
r e g u l a t i o n s b e i n g i n t r o d u c e d b y t h e m a j o r meat m a r k e t s o f EEC and
USA. A t t h e same t i m e t h e i n d u s t r y r e c o g n i s e d t h a t t h e . f i r e
p r o t e c t i o n a n d l i f e s a f e t y m e a s u r e s o f NZS 1 9 0 0 C h a p t e r 5 w e r e
i n a p p r o p r i a t e t o t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s o f a meat p r o c e s s i n g works.
A c c o r d i n g l y a new f i r e c o d e was p r o p o s e d b y New Z e a l a n d F r e e z i n g
. C o m p a n i e s A s s o c i a t i o n and s u b s e q u e n t l y d e v e l o p e d b y S t a n d a r d s
A s s o c i a t i o n o f New Z e a l a n d a s a means o f c o m p l i a n c e o f NZS 1 9 0 0
C h a p t e r 5.

Cold storage f a c i l i t i e s necessitated s p e c i a l a t t e n t i o n i n terms o f

size, environment, susceptibility of the stored product to
c o n t a m i n a t i o n and t h e v a l u e o f t h e p r o d u c t . With t h e a d v e n t o f
s i n g l e s t o r e y h i g h bay a u t o m a t i c blast freezers and s t o r a g e
b u i l d i n g s c o n v e n t i o n a l methods o f f i r e p r o t e c t i o n had t o b e
reconsidered. The P a r i s c o n f e r e n c e , j o i n t l y organised by t h e
European Association of Refrigeration Enterprises and the
I n t e r n a t i o n a l I n s t i t u t e o f R e f r i g e r a t i o n provided t h e forum t o
establish current international practice.

The a u t h o r g r a t e f u l l y a c k n o w l e d g e s t h e a s s i s t a n c e g i v e n b y BRANZ
to this study i n conjunction with N.Z. Freezing Companies
A s s o c i a t i o n , N.Z. F i r e S e r v i c e and S A N Z .

A I M OF CONFERENCE

The a i m o f t h e C o n f e r e n c e was t o c o l l a t e t h e maximum amount o f

d o c u m e n t a t i o n and case h i s t o r i e s on problems posed by f i r e s ,
refrigeration and worker safety related to the design,
c o n s t r u c t i o n and o p e r a t i o n o f c o l d s t o r e s . From t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n
recommendations would be drawn up f o r t h e use o f c o l d s t o r a g e
designers, contractors, owner/operators, safety officers, fire
p r o t e c t i o n o f f i c e r s and f i r e s e r v i c e s . !

C o n f e r e n c e s t a t i s t i c s a r e c o n t a i n e d i n A p p e n d i x 1.

CONFERENCE CONCLUSIONS

The C o n f e r e n c e was s u m m a r i s e d a t t h e c o n c . l u s i o n b y t h e C h a i r m a n a s
follows:-

-
Fire

1. F i r e r i s k s i n c o l d s t o r e s are l i m i t e d i n comparison w i t h
o t h e r i n d u s t r i e s , b u t a r e dependant on t h e c o l d s t o r e d e s i g n
and o p e r a t i o n .

2. The v a l u e o f g o o d s s t o r e d e x c e e d s t h e v a l u e o f t h e c o n t a i n i n g
building.
3. P r o t e c t i o n o f t h e goods i s i m p o r t a n t . The u s e o f an
e x t i n g u i s h i n g system can be considered p r o v i d e d t h e p r o d u c t
i s not affected.

4. Modern foamed p l a s t i c i n s u l a t i o n s c o n s t i t u t e a h i g h e r f i r e
r i s k compared t o m i n e r a l f i b r e s o r o l d e r i n s u l a t i o n s s u c h as
cork.

5. A l l i n s u l a t i o n used must b e o f a s e l f e x t i n g u i s h i n g t y p e .

6. M u l t i p l e room s t o r a g e f a c i l i t i e s s h o u l d incorporate fire

b r e a k s b e t w e e n rooms a t f r e q u e n t i n t e r v a l s .

7. Special precautions are required adjacent t o plant items,

electrical fittings and at penetrations o f the insulation
envelope.

8. Smoke damage o r c o n t a m i n a t i o n o f p r o d u c t r e p r e s e n t e d the

l a r g e s t s i n g l e problem i n c o l d storage operation.

People

1. To maintain safety of staff frequent breaks i n warm

conditions are essential.

2. S p e c i a l i s t c l o t h i n g i s n e c e s s a r y f o r w o r k e r s a g a i n s t c o l d and
r e f r i g e r a t i o n leaks.

3. A u t o m a t i c and s e m i - a u t o m a t i c p r o d u c t h a n d l i n g s y s t e m s s h o u l d
be i n s t a l l e d wherever p o s s i b l e .

4. Internal alarms are essential especially for accidental

"lock-ins1'.

5. A l l p e o p l e a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e o p e r a t i o n o f a c o l d s t o r e must
b e f u l l y t r a i n e d , m u s t b e a b l e t o r e a c t d e c i s i v e l y i n an
a l a r m s i t u a t i o n and know w h a t t o d o .

6. P e o p l e must be k e p t i n f o r m e d o f o p e r a t i o n a l risks, using

a u d i o v i s u a l t r a i n i n g equipment as n e c e s s a r y .

7. Management m u s t assume a l l r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s .

PURPOSE OF ATTENDING CONFERENCE

The a u t h o r , f r o m M o r r i s o n C o o p e r and P a r t n e r s (MCP) r e p r e s e n t i n g

B u i l d i n g R e s e a r c h A s s o c i a t i o n o f New Z e a l a n d (BRANZ) and M r
M i c h a e l Sheppard, Manager - Engineering Services, Canterbury
F r o z e n Meat Company (CFM) representing New Zealand Freezing
Companies Association (NZFCA) have been c l o s e l y involved i n
r e s e a r c h and p r e p a r a t i o n f o r t h e M e a t Works F i r e Code D.Z 4 2 1 6 .
T h i s code i s c u r r e n t l y b e f o r e t h e M i n i s t e r o f I n t e r n a l A f f a i r s f o r
approval. An a s s o c i a t e d S a f e t y M a n u a l f o r u s e b y NZFCA members,
which i s a subsidiary document for DZ 4216, was prepared
concurrent l y .
The i n v o l v e m e n t o f m a n y o r g a n i s a t i o n s w h i c h i n c l u d e d BRANZ a n d New
Z e a l a n d F i r e S e r v i c e i n t h e f o r m u l a t i o n o f t h e C o d e was c o n s i d e r e d
u n i q u e a n d s h o u l d b e made k n o w n a t t h e C o n f e r e n c e . A t t h e same
time, t h e Conference would act as a s o u n d i n g b o a r d f o r the
p r o v i s i o n s o f t h e Code a n d t h e M a n u a l .

Four papers were presented by Mr Sheppard and the author as

follows:-

A F i r e C o d e f o r t h e New Z e a l a n d M e a t F r e e z i n g
I n d u s t r y with P a r t i c u l a r Reference t o Cold Stores

P.K. Burton-Wood; J.H. Hunt; M.J.A. Sheppard

F i r e S a f e t y i n t h e New Z e a l a n d M e a t F r e e z i n g
I n d u s t r y with P a r t i c u l a r Reference t o Cold Stores

J.H. Hunt; D.J. Miller; M.J.A. Sheppard

An I n v e s t i g a t i o n i n t o t h e I g n i t a b i l i t y o f F r o z e n
Meat Carcasses

D. Bastings; J.H. Hunt

B e h a v i o u r o f F r o z e n Meat P r o d u c t s i n a F i r e ,
Situation

J.H. Hunt

These f o u r papers and other Conference papers are referenced in

A p p e n d i x 2.

A s e c o n d a r y r e a s o n was t o a t t e m p t t o e s t a b l i s h t o w h a t d e g r e e
European regulations existed or were being formulated, with
r e s p e c t t o t h e u s e o f foamed p l a s t i c s a n d w i c h p a n e l s . Current
use o f i n s u l a t e d sandwich panels i s n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e s t r i c t e d t o
c o l d s t o r e s b u t as an economic b u i l d i n g m a t e r i a l f o r n o n - l o a d
bearing walls. The u s e o f s u c h a b u i l d i n g element c o u l d
represent a significant increase i n the f i r e load o f a structure.
1
As a f o l l o w u p s e v e r a l v i s i t s i n d i f f e r e n t c o u n t r i e s w e r e m a d e t o
o r g a n i s a t i o n s and i n s t a l l a t i o n s r e l a t e d t o t h e C o n f e r e n c e aims.

OVERALL CONCLUSIONS

T h e p a p e r s f r o m N.Z. received special mention i n t h e o v e r a l l

summary b y t h e C o n f e r e n c e c h a i r m a n . The N.Z. work undertaken f o r
t h e N.Z. Meat I n d u s t r y f u l f i l l e d e x a c t l y t h e aim o f t h e C o n f e r e n c e
e s p e c i a l l y f o r European c o l d s t o r e o p e r a t i o n s . In t h i s respect
N.Z. a n d t h e Meat Works F i r e Code a're a h e a d o f E u r o p e a n p r a c t i c e .
Some d e l e g a t e s e x p r e s s e d t h e v i e w t h a t t h e y would have been
s a t i s f i e d i f t h e C o n f e r e n c e h a d c o n s i s t e d o f t h e N.Z. papers only.
S m a l l c o l d s t o r e s used f o r t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f p r o d u c t s and
l o c a t e d i n o r a d j a c e n t t o major European urban areas r e l i e d on
s u b d i v i s i o n o f compartments by f i r e p a r t i t i o n s . Such p a r t i t i o n s ,
often incomplete, frequently consisted of exposed laid up
insulation.

The u s e o f i n s u l a t e d s a n d w i c h p a n e l s h a s g r o w n r a p i d l y . Foamed
p o l y u r a t h a n e h a s t e n d e d t o s u p e r s e d e t h e u s e o f foamed p o l y s t y r e n e
insulation.

F i r e p r o t e c t i o n , i n t h e m a j o r i t y o f cases, r e l i e d on t h e u s e o f
e x t e r n a l r i n g m a i n s and h y d r a n t s w i t h a s s o c i a t e d e q u i p m e n t a t
strategic locations. The u s e o f smoke d e t e c t o r s a s a w a r n i n g
d e v i c e was i n c r e a s i n g b u t b e c a u s e o f f a l s e a l a r m s m o s t s y s t e m s
were a c t i v a t e d o u t s i d e w o r k i n g h o u r s o n l y .

The u s e o f C O p s n u f f i n g a s d e s c r i b e d i n p a p e r s 1 7 a n d 1 8 t o g e t h e r
w i t h t h e r e p o r t s o f smoke d e t e c t o r s b e i n g s u c c e s s f u l ( a t V a l e n c e ,
France) were well received. In view of the potential
c o n t a m i n a t i o n o f p r o d u c t b y smoke, e v e n b e f o r e a f i r e d e v e l o p e d ,
t h e use o f an a l a r m / c o n t r o l s y s t e m t h a t i s c o m p a t i b l e w i t h t h e
p r o d u c t s t o r e d was c o n s i d e r e d a s t h e m o s t p r a c t i c a l .

Automatic s p r i n k l e r p r o t e c t i o n i n s t a l l a t i o n s w i t h i n the i n s u l a t e d
e n v e l o p e was r a r e . Paper 1 6 , t h a t p r e s e n t e d t h i s method o f
p r o t e c t i o n , received l i t t l e support.

No r e g u l a t i o n s w e r e l o c a t e d t h a t p l a c e d r e s t r i c t i o n s on t h e
o v e r a l l q u a n t i t y o f foam p l a s t i c i n s u l a t i o n e x c e p t f r o m N o r w a y
(Paper 3 ) . European b u i l d i n g r e g u l a t i o n s r e q u i r e d m a t e r i a l s i n
various locations to comply with a particular level of
combustibility. I f i n s u l a t i o n p r o p e r t i e s were r e q u i r e d i n t h a t
l o c a t i o n t h e n t h e c o m b u s t i b i l i t y r e q u i r e m e n t s had t o be met. An
article by Rogowski, (Appendix 3) outlines the current UK
position.

The n e c e s s i t y f o r t r a i n i n g p e r s o n n e l i n d e p t h , f r e q u e n t r e t r a i n i n g
s e s s i o n s i n c l u d i n g t h e use o f equipment t o e x t i n g u i s h p r a c t i c e
fires, a n d a u d i o v i s u a l a i d s c o u l d n o t be e m p h a s i z e d e n o u g h .
T r a i n i n g s h o u l d n o t be r e s t r i c t e d t o t h e f i r e o r rescue squad b u t
t o a l l workers w i t h i n the c o l d store.

I n t h e m a j o r i t y o f c a s e s t h e i n s u r a n c e o f t h e f a c i l i t y was
arranged by discussion w i t h t h e i n s u r e r during design. The l e v e l
of f i r e p r o t e c t i o n i n s t a l l e d beyond t h a t called for by t h e
b u i l d i n g r e g u l a t i o n s was a management d e c i s i o n made i n r e s p o n s e t o
t h e i n s u r e r ' s premium o f f e r s .

The u s e o f a u t o m a t e d s t o r a g e a n d r e t r i e v a l s y s t e m s i n E u r o p e
tended t o c a t e r f o r t h e c o l d s t o r a g e d i s t r i b u t i o n s i t u a t i o n where
many d i f f e r e n t p r o d u c t s a r e s t o r e d i n t h e o n e c o l d s t o r e . These
o p e r a t i o n s r e q u i r e a m u l t i t u d e o f p i c k i n g faces. The b u l k p r o d u c t
s t o r a g e s i t u a t i o n o f t h e N.Z. Meat I n d u s t r y d i d n o t o f t e n o c c u r i n
E u r o p e b e c a u s e t h e p r o d u c e r was s m a l l e r a n d l o c a t e d c l o s e t o t h e
consumer market.
SELECTED ITEMS FROM THE PAPERS OF PARTICULAR RELEVANCE T O THE
NEW ZEALAND SITUATION

1. P a p e r No. 1 Jacobs " F i r e P r o t e c t i o n i n Cold S t o r e s "

- Germany.

The German S t a n d a r d D I N 410 d i s t i n g u i s h e s b e t w e e n c o m b u s t i b l e

( B ) and n o n - c o m b u s t i b l e ( A ) i n s u l a t i o n . (Appendix 4).

The maximum a l l o w a b l e b u i l d i n g v o l u m e b e t w e e n f i r e b r e a k s
o f t h e m o s t i n f l a m m a b l e i n s u l a t i o n ( m a t e r i a l B 3 ) i s 24,000m3
b u t must be c o n t a i n e d w i t h i n f i r e p a r t i t i o n s o f 14 h o u r s
FRR. Non-combustible i n s u l a t i o n ( m a t e r i a l A ) i s accepted i n
b u i l d i n g v o l u m e s o f 48,000m3, b u t t h e h e i g h t i s r e s t r i c t e d t o
14.5m. These f i g u r e s were a r r i v e d a t b y d i s c u s s i o n b e t w e e n
i n s u r e r s and o p e r a t o r s .

The e q u i v a l e n t v o l u m e r e s t r i c t i o n i n F r a n c e i s 65,000m3.
(DZ 4 2 1 6 a l l o w a n c e r a n g e s f r o m 58,000m3 t o 85,000m3 d e p e n d i n g
on a c c e s s i b i l i t y . NZS 1 9 0 0 , C h a p t e r 5 d o e s n o t l i m i t
volume.

E l e c t r i c a l e q u i p m e n t was a c k n o w l e d g e d a s t h e m a i n s o u r c e o f
i g n i t i o n i n a c o l d s t o r e under o p e r a t i n g c o n d i t i o n s . The
u s e o f s p e c i a l n o n - c o m b u s t i b l e i n s u l a t i o n was a d v o c a t e d f o r
s e a l i n g p e n e t r a t i o n s around e l e c t r i c a l cables.

The p r i n c i p a l means o f f i r e e x t i n g u i s h i n g was w a t e r f r o m a n

external ring m a i n and h y d r a n t s y s t e m . German r e g u l a t i o n s
DVGW 4 0 5 c a l l f o r an i n d u s t r i a l w a t e r s u p p l y o f 3200 l / m i n
for 2 hours. (This supply i s less than half the
classification 2 c a l l e d f o r u n d e r DZ 4 2 1 6 . )

The u s e o f a u t o m a t i c s p r i n k l e r protection systems i n cold

stores, even i f g l y c o l f i l l e d , was r a r e , a s was t h e use
o f C02 s n u f f i n g .

2. P a p e r No. 2 Toole I1Fire Prevention i n Refrigerated

Warehouses" - England

T h i s w e l l presented paper i n c l u d e d u s e f u l s t a t i s t i c s based on

'Frigoscandia' in-house information that i s not easily
obtainable. Whilst acknowledging several d i s a s t r o u s f i r e s
i n Europe, Toole p u t s t h e f i r e r i s k i n p e r s p e c t i v e w i t h
respect t o f i r e protection authorities.

" N a t u r a l l y , s u c h i n c i d e n t s , s i m i l a r i n a way
t o an a i r l i n e c r a s h h a v e c a u s e d b a d p u b l i c i t y
and t h r o u g h t h e i r m a g n i t u d e i t i s l i k e l y t h a t
people l e s s than knowledgeable w i t h t h e
f
c o n s t r u c t i o n o f c o l d s t o r e s may b e l e d t o t h i n k
t h a t f i r e s a f e t y i s t h e number o n e a s p e c t when
a c o l d s t o r e i s designed."
I n making use o f these s t a t i s t i c s i t i s important t o n o t e
t h a t a m a j o r f i r e i s d e f i n e d as one t h a t a c t u a l l y d e s t r o y e d
m e r c h a n d i s e o r t h e F i r e B r i g a d e was c a l l e d . S t o r e s undeir
10,000m3 w e r e n o t i n c l u d e d .

The a n a l y s i s showed t h a t a l t h o u g h t h e a v e r a g e age o f a l l

s t o r e s was 1 1 y e a r s , o n e t h i r d o f a l l f i r e s s t a r t e d i n t h e
i n s u l a t i o n f r o m whatever cause. However, i n a l l c a s e s t h e
i n s u l a t i o n was o p e n , c o m b u s t i b l e a n d l a i d - u p t o a s t r u c t u r a l
wall. No a c c i d e n t or i n c i d e n t had o c c u r r e d where an
i n s u l a t e d sandwich panel i g n i t e d f i r s t .

W h e r e r e f e r e n c e h a s b e e n made i n t h e p a p e r t o f i r e s b u r n i n g
f o r days r a t h e r t h a n hours these occurred i n b u i l d i n g s o f
massive c o n s t r u c t i o n with l a i d up i n s u l a t i o n . This type o f
c o n s t r u c t i o n p r e v e n t e d b u r n o u t v e n t i n g a n d a s n o v e n t i n g was
p r o v i d e d t h e r e s u l t i n g i n t e n s e h e a t g e n e r a t e d consumed a l l
s t o r e d p r o d u c t s and d e s t r o y e d t h e s t r u c t u r a l e l e m e n t s a l s o .

The paper r e p o r t e d on ten instances o f fires involving

b u i l d i n g s a d j a c e n t t o c o l d s t o r e s b u t where n o s p r e a d t o t h e
cold stores resulted, probably as a result o f fire
partitions. (DZ 4 2 1 6 s e p a r a t e s a l l o t h e r o c c u p a n c i e s f r o m
c o l d s t o r e s by f i r e p a r t i t i o n s o r adequate separation.)

F r i g o s c a n d i a h a v e e x p e r i m e n t e d w i t h s m o k e d e t e c t o r s w i t h some
success. Those f i t t e d w i t h a h e a t i n g r i n g t o e l i m i n a t e i c e
c r y s t a l s have been e n c o u r a g i n g l y s u c c e s s f u l . However, t h e
location o f the detector was o f utmost importance and
positions adjacent t o fan operated r e f r i g e r a t i o n u n i t s could
be susceptible t o fog generation during defrost operations.
The detector system required two detectors on separate
c i r c u i t s t o be a c t i v a t e d b e f o r e a g e n e r a l alarm responded.
Activation o f the alarm shut down the refrigeration/
v e n t i l a t i o n system.

D i s c u s s i o n on t h i s paper r e v e a l e d t h a t c o l d s t o r e o p e r a t o r s
other than Frigoscandia, h a v e u s e d smoke d e t e c t o r s a s an
alarm system o u t s i d e working hours only. During normal
d a i l y o p e r a t i o n s t h e systems have been s w i t c h e d o f f . An Y
a l a r m would be r a i s e d by t h e c o l d s t o r e o p e r a t o r s / f r e e z e r
h a n d s who h a v e r e c e i v e d i n t e n s i v e a n d e x t e n s i v e t r a i n i n g i n
s a f e t y and good housekeeping.

A c a s e was r e l a t e d o f b u r g l a r s u s i n g o x y / a c e t y l e n e e q u i p m e n t
who c u t a h o l e 1 m 2 t h o u g h p o l y u r e t h a n e s a n d w i c h p a n e l s t o
extract product stored inside. The b u r g l a r y was not
discovered for a considerable period.

E x p e r i e n c e by F r i g o s c a n d i a showed t h a t :

- smoke c a u s e d m o r e damage t o p r o d u c t t h a n f i r e s
 - smoke was p r o d u c e d b y f i r e s t h a t d i d n o t d e v e l o p

- t h e e a r l y w a r n i n g o f smoke p r e s e n c e was o f m o r e i m p o r t a n c e
than f i r e presence i n terms o f o v e r a l l loss.

R e f e r e n c e was made t o f i r e s o r i g i n a t i n g f r o m d o o r h e a t i n g
cables. (DZ 4 2 1 6 r e q u i r e s h e a t i n g c a b l e s t o b e i s o l a t e d b y
non-combustible elements from timber o r i n s u l a t i o n . )

3. P a p e r No. 3 Bjerknes, N u s s e n & Houde "Fire Hazard i n

Cold Stores" - Norway

This paper was not presented, therefore no discussion

.
resulted.

The p a p e r n o t e d t h a t f e w f i r e s h a v e o c c u r r e d i n c o l d s t o r e s
i n Norway o r Sweden, w i t h n o f i r e s o r i g i n a t i n g i n s i d e t h e
cold store. However, d o o r h e a t i n g c a b l e s h a v e been a s o u r c e
o f ignition.

The paper emphasised the extreme nature of building

r e g u l a t i o n s i n N o r w a y w i t h r e s p e c t t o a l l o w a b l e a r e a s o f foam
insulation. As a r e s u l t t h e w i d e s p r e a d u s e o f m i n e r a l w o o l
i n s u l a t i o n d e v e l o p e d t o overcome t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s o f c o n c r e t e
encasements or similar treatment of foamed plastic
insulants. On t h i s b a s i s m i n e r a l w o o l i n s u l a t i o n was
competative i n price. The r e s t r i c t i v e r e g u l a t i o n s d a t e f r o m
1 9 6 9 when foamed p l a s t i c i n s u l a t i o n was new a n d u s e d f o r
small c o l d store u n i t s only. The r e g u l a t i o n s w e r e s a i d t o
b e i n need o f u p d a t i n g .

4. P a p e r No. 4 Senn "Security and F i r e P r e v e n t i o n i n

Cold Stores" - Switzerland

The S w i s s b u i l d i n g r e g u l a t i o n s r a t e t h e c o m b u s t i b i l i t y o f
elements of structure into grades I-VI i.e. easily
c o m b u s t i b l e t o non combust.ible. The g r a d i n g r e q u i r e d i n a
p a r t i c u l a r l o c a t i o n was d e t e r m i n e d b y s e p a r a t i o n d i s t a n c e .

The p a p e r d e s c r i b e d an 1,800m2 c o l d s t o r e c o n s t r u c t e d i n 1 9 8 1
which r e q u i r e d t h e i n s u l a t i o n elements t o conform t o grade V
- Combustibility with Difficulty. T h i s was a c h i e v e d b y
c o n c r e t e f a c i n g t o foam i n s u l a t i o n o r b y u s i n g u p t o 5mm
s t e e l sheet t o t h e e x t e r i o r . I r e l a n d a l s o used t h e Dutch '.
system t o reduce t h e c o m b u s t i b i l i t y o f t h e i n s u l a t i o n .

I n o r d e r t o s a t i s f y i n s u r a n c e r e q u i r e m e n t s an a u t o m a t i c fire
a l a r m was i n s t a l l e d .

H e a t i n g e l e m e n t s a r o u n d d o o c w a y s w e r e r e s t r i c t e d t o 6-10W at
24-30V. ( D Z 4216 c o v e r s r e s t r i c t i o n s on t h e m o u n t i n g o f
door heating devices but not t h e supply voltage).
 To r e d u c e m o i s t u r e e n t r y i n t o c o l d s t o r e s a l l d o o r w a y s g i v i n g
f o r k l i f t access were c o n s t r u c t e d w i t h a i r l o c k s .

The p a p e r c o n c l u d e d t h a t a d d i t i o n a l f i r e p r e v e n t i o n m e a s u r e s
s u c h a s smoke v e n t s o r i n e r t g a s d i s c h a r g e s y s t e m s c o u l d o n l y
be j u s t i f i e d by a corresponding r e d u c t i o n i n f i r e i n s u r a n c e
premium.

5. P a p e r No. 5 Duiven & T w i l t "Policies for F i r e Safety

o f Cold Stores i n the Netherlands" - Holland

W h i l s t t h i s p a p e r p r e s e n t e d some u s e f u l d i s c u s s i o n o n t h e
p r o b a b l i s t i c approach t o f i r e p r o t e c t i o n measures and c o s t
b e n e f i t a n a l y s i s , t h e s y s t e m f e l l down o w i n g t o t h e l a c k o f
i n f o r m a t i o n a v a i l a b l e on c o l d s t o r e f i r e s , e s p e c i a l l y from
the insurance industry.

6. P a p e r No. 11 Kruppa "Fire Safety i n Steel Buildings"

- France

T h i s paper c o n s i d e r e d t h e v a r i o u s methods o f p r o t e c t i n g
s t r u c t u r a l s t e e l members f r o m f i r e a n d t h e b e n e f i t s g a i n e d ,
i f any, o f a d d i t i o n a l p r o t e c t i o n i n c o l d s t o r e s . By t h e
time a structural steel member reached the critical.
t e m p e r a t u r e o f 500" - 600°C t h e c o n t e n t s o f t h e c o l d s t o r e
w o u l d have reached a t e m p e r a t u r e o f 700" -
8 0 0 " ~i.e. the
c o n t e n t s would have been destroyed. The a i m o f t h e d e s i g n
was, therefore, t o ensure t h a t a l o c a l collapse d i d n o t
a f f e c t t h e remainder o f t h e structure.

7. P a p e r No. 12 Hagnoul "Fire R e s i s t a n c e o f C o l d Room

Panels" - France

The p a p e r a n d a s s o c i a t e d f i l m o f t e s t s o n s m a l l i n s u l a t e d
rooms demonstrated t h e v a r i o u s f i r e r e a c t i o n s r e s u l t i n g from
p o l y s t y r e n e and p o l y u r e t h a n e sandwich p a n e l s w i t h d i f f e r e n t
surface coatings.

R e s u l t s showed t h a t o n t h e F r e n c h b a s i s o f c o m b u s t i b i l i t y o f
materials from MO-M4 (M4 - self extinguishing) a M1
p o l y u r e t h a n e ( n o t isocyanurate) sandwich panel faced with M I
r a t e d m e t a l s k i n s l a s t e d u p t o 28 m i n u t e s . Temperatures
r e c o r d e d w i t h i n t h e t e s t r o o m w e r e o n l y 50% o f t h o s e r e a c h e d
u s i n g M4 p o l y s t y r e n e o r M4 p o l y u r e t h a n e , b o t h o f w h i c h w e r e
destroyed within 7 minutes.

T h e w a r n i n g was g i v e n t h a t t h e r e s u l t s o b t a i n e d b y t h e t e s t
were not conclusive enough t o predict an actual FRR
performance i n a r e a l f i r e s i t u a t i o n .
8. P a p e r 13 Georges " H e a t e d D o o r F r a m e s f o r C o l d Rooms"
- France

This paper discussed various options for p r o v i d i n g a heated

door frame namely -
(a) H e a t i n g c a b l e s i s o l a t e d f r o m t h e i n s u l a t i o n ( A s DZ
4216.1

(b) Hot a i r channel, found t o be l i m i t e d i n p e r i p h e r a l

l e n g t h t o 39m.

(c) Hot water channel w i t h a n t i f r e e z e a d d i t i v e , results o f

w h i c h were n o t r e c o r d e d .

C o l d r e s i s t a n c e c a b l e i n s u l a t i o n was n o t f i r e p r o o f . I t was
recommended t h a t s i l i c o n b a s e d i n s u l a t i o n p r o v i d e d t h e b e s t
compromise.

A l t h o u g h Germany u s e d a 220V f u s e d s y s t e m t h e C o n f e r e n c e i n
general favoured low voltage cable heaters.

9. P a p e r No. 16 Boward "Sprinkler Fire Extinction

Systems" - France

The p a p e r was n o t a b l e f o r the lack o f comment or discussion

aroused.

The c o s t i n s t a l l e d was e s t i m a t e d a t 1 5 ~ ~ /= m$ ~ ~ 3 . 3 0 / r n( ~
cf
c o s t s f o r C02 s n u f f i n g p a p e r s 1 7 a n d 1 8 ) .

D i s a d v a n t a g e s acknowledged were t h a t any a i r system would

r e q u i r e d e h u m i d i f y i n g and t h a t a w a t e r / g l y c o l system would
n e c e s s i t a t e re-mixing s e v e r a l times per year.

10. P a p e r No. 17 Duport " F i r e E x t i n c t i o n i n Low

T e m p e r a t u r e Rooms ( A C02 S n u f f i n g S y s t e m ) " -
France

P a p e r No. 18 Duport, Devere " F i r e E x t i n c t i o n Tests with

CO2 i n t h e P i l o t I n s t a l l a t i o n o f V a l e n c e " -
France

T e s t s c a r r i e d o u t w i t h i n a 7500m3 c o l d s t o r e u s i n g a c a r b o n
dioxide ( ~ 0 ~ s )n u f f i n g system indicated satisfactor
p e r f o r m a n c e a n d moves w e r e now i n h a n d t o e q u i p a 65,000m 3
cold store. A l t e r n a t i v e g a s e s t o t h e C02 w o u l d b e h a l o g e n s
and n i t r o g e n . The p a p e r d i s c u s s e d t h e v a r i o u s a d v a n t a g e s
a n d d . i s a d v a n t a g e s o f a C02 s y s t e m w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e t e s t
building.
 The g a s s y s t e m was n o t a c t i v a t e d d u r i n g n o r m a l w o r k i n g
hours t o prevent asphyxiation o f personnel. The t o t a l
p e r i o d o f a c t i v a t i o n was 1 2 8 o u t o f 1 6 8 h o u r s / w e e k
i.e. 76%. The b u i l d i n g was f i t t e d w i t h a g e n e r a l
s e c u r i t y l o c k and m a n u a l o v e r - r i d e t o s h u t down t h e
s y s t e m when t h e b u i l d i n g was e n t e r e d .

The asphyxiation problem would be reduced with

halogens.

1-02 was b e t w e e n 5 - 1 0 t i m e s l e s s c o s t l y t h a n h a l o g e n .
C o s t o f C02 g a s IFF/^ = $Nz0.25/m3
Cost o f system ~ - I o F F / ~=~ $ ~ ~ 1 . 5 0 - $ ~ ~ 2 . 2 5 / m 3 .

C 0 2 was l e s s c o s t l y t h a n n i t r o g e n .

C02 c a u s e d l e s s r e s i d u a l damage t h a n w a t e r .

C02 was s t o r e d o u t s i d e t h e b u i l d i n g i n u n i n s u l a t e d
t a n k s o f h i g h y i e l d s t e e l a t 20 b a r , o n t h e b a s i s o f
500gm/m3 i.e. 3500kg for the 7500m3 cold store.
N i t r o g e n r e q u i r e d a h i g h p r e s s u r e system a t a b o u t 20
bar.

Safety devices included tanks with explosion discs,

o p t i c a l l e v e l g a u g e s a n d a C02 d e t e c t i o n s y s t e m i n t h e
store.

co2 detection used an ionisation system sensitive

enough t o d e t e c t w e l d i n g i n t h e c e n t r e o f t h e s t o r e .
D e t e c t i o n o n t w o s e p a r a t e c i r c u i t s was n e c e s s a r y b e f o r e
r e l e a s e o f C02. The s y s t e m h a d o p e r a t e d f o r 4 y e a r s
with no f a l s e alarms.

I n j e c t i o n o f C02 r e q u i r e d a 2 0 % i n c r e a s e i n volume
within t h e store. An e x p a n s i o n v a l v e , 1 8 0 0 x 800mm,
was i n c o r p o r a t e d i n t h e c e i l i n g .

No i c i n g u p p r o b l e m s o c c u r r e d .

C02 i n c o n t a c t w i t h f o o d was a c c e p t a b l e . Halogenated

products could contaminate f o o d a n d was b a r r e d i n
U.S.A.

D e s c r i p t i o n s o f a d i s p e r s a l t e s t and an extinguishing test

were t h e b a s i s o f t h e second paper.

D i s c h a r g e o c c u r r e d t h r o u g h 2 No. 5mm d i a m e t e r o r i f i c e s f o r
1.2 m i n u t e s . The t i m e o f d i s c h a r g e a n d d e s i g n d e n s i t y o f
C02 o f 0.7kg/m3 was a f f e c t e d b y a p o w e r f a i l u r e r e s u l t i n g i n
a n a c t u a l d e n s i t y o f 0.5kg/m3. F l a r e s i n s t o r m lamps were
e x t i n g u i s h e d a f t e r 2 m i n u t e s when t h e o x y g e n l e v e l h a d b e e n
r e d u c e d t o 18%. Minimum o x y g e n l e v e l r e a c h e d was 15%. The
 Co2 d i f f u s e d q u i c k l y , w i t h t h e h e a v i e s t c o n c e n t r a t i o n a t t h e
b o t t o m o f t h e s t o r e where r e q u i r e d . V i s i b i l i t y remained
good.

The r a t e o f d i s c h a r g e o f C02 was d e s i g n e d t o c o n t r o l f i r e s t o

the extent that flames d i s a p p e a r e d b u t embers w o u l d b e
e x t i n g u i s h e d b y n o r m a l means.

V e n t i l a t i o n o f the store allowed personnel without p r o t e c t i o n

t o e n t e r a f t e r 1 hour. N a t u r a l v e n t i l a t i o n was d e p e n d e n t o n
door c o n f i g e r a t i o n .

11. P a p e r No. 1 9 Maurice, Bonnaire " A Model o f F i r e

P r e v e n t i o n i n a Large Cold Store" - France

A l a r g e c o l d s t o r a g e c o m p l e x was d e s c r i b e d i n the paper and

subsequently v i s i t e d by delegates.

The t o t a l s t o r a g e v o l u m e o f 230,000m3 was d i v i d e d b y 2 h o u r

FRR w a l l s i n t o 4 a r e a s t h e maximum b e i n g 80,000m3. Walls
w e r e e i t h e r 200mm m a s o n r y o r ISOMETAL m e t a l / m i n e r a l fibre
i n s u l a t e d w a l l s as d e s c r i b e d i n t h e a d d i t i o n a l p a p e r u n d e r
p a r a g r a p h 12.

The r a t i n g o f d i v i s i o n w a l l s was s u p p l e m e n t e d b y d r e n c h e r
c u r t a i n s a n d w a t e r s p r a y s o v e r some r o o f s . Activation o f
t h e d r e n c h e r s was t r i g g e r e d b y smoke d e t e c t o r s .

Gas detectors together with ionisation smoke detectors

complete w i t h h e a t e d heads formed t h e a l a r m system. Heat
d e t e c t o r s were l o c a t e d i n t h e f o r k l i f t area. A l l alarm
s y s t e m s were c e n t r a l i s e d i n t h e watchhouse f r o m w h i c h r o u n d s
l a s t i n g 2 h o u r s w e r e made e v e r y 3 h o u r s .

Smoke v e n t s w e r e l o c a t e d i n c o n n e c t i n g c o r r i d o r s . (Smoke
v e n t i n g o f c o n n e c t i n g c o r r i d o r s i s one measure a d v o c a t e d b y
DZ 4 2 1 6 ) . E x t i n g u i s h i n g would be c a r r i e d o u t u s i n g f i r s t
a i d e q u i p m e n t and f i r e h o s e s s u p p l i e d b y r i n g m a i n s a n d
hydrants.

A l l f i r e d o o r s were o p e r a t e d b y fusible links and m a g n e t i c

b o l t s a c t i v a t e d by an a l a r m .
. -
The management i n t r o d u c e d a m o n t h l y f i r e d r i l l f o r t h e f i r e
squad w h i c h t r a i n e d on f i r e s s e t up i n open g r o u n d u s i n g t h e
f i r s t a i d equipment.

No s p r i n k l e r s w e r e i n s t a l l e d . Insurance premiums were

e s t a b l i s h e d by n e g o t i a t i o n .
 O p e r a t i o n o f t h e s t o r e s was b a s e d o n a r a c k e d p a l l e t s y s t e m
and F o r k l i f t s . The l a t e s t e x t e n s i o n w o u l d i n c o r p o r a t e
punched c a r d c o n t r o l o f m o d i f i e d L a n s i n g B a g n e l l f o r k l i f t s
though cables b u r i e d within t h e wearing slab. Each f o r k l i f t
v e h i c l e w a s f i t t e d w i t h i t s own s e n s i n g s y s t e m . No p e r s o n
would work within t h e c o l d s t o r e .

T h e a u t o m a t i c s t o r a g e s y s t e m o p e r a t e d b y t h e f o r k l i f t s was
s u i t e d t o b u l k s t o r a g e o f p r o d u c t s and appeared t o have t h e
m o s t p o t e n t i a l f o r t h e N.Z. m e a t i n d u s t r y .

T h i s p a r t i c u l a r o p e r a t o r had undertaken a c a r e f u l l y e v a l u a t e d
study o f the f i r e r i s k s involved, i n s t i t u t e d an overa.11
systematicapproach to the problem and based on those
management d e c i s i o n s h a d n e g o t i a t e d t h e a p p r o p r i a t e i n s u r a n c e
contracts.

12. Additional Paper Andiffret " 1ncombustib.le Cold

S tores" - France

This paper d e s c r i b e d a p a r t i c u l a r i n s u l a t e d w a l l system under

t h e name o f ISOMETAL t h a t h a d a 2 h o u r FRR. The p a n e l s
c o n s i s t e d o f 2-5mm s t e e l t r o u g h s h e e t l a i d h o r i z o n t a l l y a n d
f u l l y welded t o s t e e l columns t o p r o v i d e a complete e x t e r i o r
metal skin. E x p a n s i o n j o i n t s were r e q u i r e d a t 50-60m
centres. I n e r t m i n e r a l w o o l o r g l a s s f i b r e i n s u l a t i o n was
l a i d up in the troughs and i n l a y e r s between v e r t i c a l
batters. The n u m b e r o f l a y e r s was d i c t a t e d b y t h e r e q u i r e d
i n s u l a t i o n v,alue. A f i n a l s t e e l trough sheet provided t h e
i n t e r i o r l a y e r and s u r f a c e f i n i s h .

Estimated p r i c e i n place for a 30,000m3 cold store i s

5 0 0 ~ F / m o~ f w a l l = $~~ll0/m2.
A s i m i l a r s y s t e m b a s e d i n G e r m a n y was m a r k e t e d u n d e r t h e name
o f ISOVER.

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Insulation Ratina

I t was s u g g e s t e d t h a t t h e a u t h o r i t i e s i n H o l l a n d were l o o k i n g at
t h e r e q u i r e m e n t f o r i n s u l a t e d p a n e l w a l l s t o p r o v i d e a FRR o f
b e t w e e n 15-45 m i n u t e s . N o t h i n g o f f i c i a l has been p u b l i c i s e d .

G e r m a n y , i n g e n e r a l c a l l s f o r B1 c l a s s i f i c a t i o n
France, i n general c a l l s f o r M I c l a s s i f i c a t i o n
S w i t z e r l a n d , i n g e n e r a l c a l l s f o r 5-6 c l a s s i f i c a t i o n
Smoke V e n t i n g

The C o n f e r e n c e was u n a n i m o u s t h a t smoke damage o r c o n t a m i n a t i o n o f

product was the largest s i n g l e problem associated w i t h c o l d
storage. The use o f smoke detectors was becoming more
widespread.

The u s e o f c o n c r e t e o r m a s s i v e t y p e b u i . l d i n g s t h a t a t t r a c t t h e
b e s t i n s u r a n c e premiums caused t h e most p r o b l e m s w i t h r e s p e c t t o
smoke d i s p o s a l o r e l i m i n a t i o n .

S u g g e s t i o n s w e r e made t o s o l v e t h e p r o b l e m u s i n g :

1. l i g h t w e i g h t p a n e l s t h a t w o u l d b u r n o u t and v e n t

2. powered e x t r a c t v e n t i l a t i o n .

P r o b l e m s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h b u r n o u t p a n e l s were t h e c o n t i n u i t y o f
i n s u l a t i o n and t h e l a r g e a r e a n e c e s s a r y t o o b t a i n e f f e c t i v e
venting i n cold conditions. Powered e x t r a c t v e n t i l a t i o n a l s o
r a i s e d problems i n m a i n t a i n i n g . e f f e c t i v e i n s u l a t i o n v a l u e s and
the size factor o f the units.
 SITE V I S I T S

1. V i s i t t o C e n t r e N a t i o n a l de P r e v e n t i o n e t de P r o t e c t i o n
Laboratorv - Paris 19 March 1982

Present: Conference Delegates

T h i s e x t e n s i v e t e s t i n g l a b o r a t o r y was c o n c e r n e d n o t o n l y w i t h
t h e n o r m a l f i r e p r o t e c t i o n and f i r e p r e v e n t i o n a s p e c t s b u t
a l s o with s e c u r i t y i.e. b u r g l a r y prevention. Methods i n c l u d e d
b u i l d i n g i n s a f e s , s p e c i a l c o n c r e t e m i x e s t o t r y and p r e v e n t
d e m o l i t i o n b y t h e r m a l l a n c e s and t h e l i k e . Test w a l l s up t o
500mm t h i c k s h o w e d e v i d e n c e o f s u c c e s s f u l a t t a c k b y s u c h m e a n s .

Smoke G e n e r a t i o n

A smoke g e n e r a t i o n chamber a l l o w e d f u l l s c a l e t e s t s o f smoke

detectors and comparsion o f smoke detectors. Smoke was
g e n e r a t e d i n t h e c e n t r e o f t h e room b y t h e b u r n i n g o f p a p e r o r
plastic materials.

An a d j a c e n t r o o m c o n t a i n e d a t u n n e l i n w h i c h a d e t e c t o r c a n b e
t e s t e d i n w i n d s u p t o 36km/hour and f r o m 100°C t o -
10"~.

Gas S n u f f i n g

Two s y s t e m s w e r e a c c e p t a b l e i n F r a n c e b e i n g e i t h e r h i g h o r l o w
pressure. On d e t e c t i o n o f s m o k e a n a l a r m s o u n d e d , lights
f l a s h e d and f o l l o w i n g a one m i n u t e d e l a y f o r e v a c u a t i o n , gas
was d i s c h a r g e d . T h i s d e l a y was s t a n d a r d f o r C 0 2 o r h a l o g e n
systems. The d e t e c t o r s w e r e o n t w o i n d e p e n d e n t c i r c u i t s w i t h
n o a l a r m sounded u n t i l b o t h c i r c u i t s were a c t i v a t e d . The C02
o p e r a t e d a t a p r e s s u r e o f 20 b a r .

C02 snuffing as demonstrated was based on the approved

i n s u r a n c e system i n France.

S p r i n k l e r Room

The r o o m was t y p i c a l o f s p r i n k l e r t e s t r o o m s w i t h t h e a b i l i t y
t o c a r r y o u t m o d i f i c a t i o n s t o t h e normal t e s t as necessary.

General A c t i v i t i e s

A s l i d e p r e s e n t a t i o n o u t l i n e d t h e work u n d e r t a k e n by t h e
laboratory. O f p a r t i c u l a r i n t e r e s t were c u r r e n t t e s t s o n
e l e c t r i c a l c a b l e runs. S l i d e s showed f i r e s p r e a d u p a v e r t i c a l
c a b l e run t h a t t u r n e d t h r o u g h 90" underneath a c e i l i n g . Fire
s p r e a d u p t h e c a b l e s was r a p i d . S u b s e q u e n t s l i d e s showed t h e
e f f e c t o f a s p e c i a l p a i n t c o a t i n g t h a t r e d u c e d t.he f l a m e s p r e a d
v i r t u a l l y t o zero. The e f f e c t o f t y i n g c a b l e s w i t h p l a s t i c
t i e s was d e m o n s t r a t e d . These m e l t e d , a l l o w i n g s u s p e n d e d c a b l e s
t o f a l l f r e e and s p r e a d t h e f i r e .
 Extinguishing Tests

A d e m o n s t r a t i o n was o r g a n i s e d t o shown t h e e f f e c t o f v a r i o u s
n o z z l e s on s t a n d a r d f i r s t a i d e x t i n g u i s h i n g equipment. The
method of attack was dependent on the equipment used.
Demonstrations included

Kerosene - s h o r t n o z z l e used as a k n i f e a t
a b o u t 500mm d i s t a n c e .

- l o n g n o z z l e used a t about 1 m e t r e d i s t a n c e

Medium f u e l - u s e d a w a t e r s p r a y w i t h foam i n c l u s i o n .
o i l fraction The foam s p r e a d p r e v e n t e d r e - i g n i t i o n .

Petrol - foam e x t i n g u i s h e r

Propane - v e r t i c a l nozzle leak - attacked from below

u s i n g d r y powder

- l e a k i n g flange-water spray used t o d r i v e

o f f t h e flame t o a l l o w a v a l v e t o be
closed.

2. V i s i t t o Centre N a t i o n a l de P r e v e n t i o n e t de P r o t e c t i o n , Office
- Paris 2 5 March 1982

Present: Colonel J. Columbies P r e v e n t i o n e t de

Protection
M r H. Auger (Interpreter) N.Z H i g h C o m m i s s i o n
M r J. Hunt M o r r i s o n Cooper &
Partners

M. C o l u m b i e s was p r e v i o u s l y i n c h a r g e o f t h e P a r i s F i r e S e r v i c e
( 6 0 0 0 m e n ) , now a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f f i r e
s a f e t y and f i r e p r o t e c t i o n r e g u l a t i o n s .

F r e n c h r e g u l a t i o n s a p p l y n a t i o n a l l y and a r e f o r m u l a t e d u n d e r
t h r e e main headings administered by t h r e e separate m i n i s t r i e s .

a) B u i l d i n g s o v e r 3Om h e i g h t
b P u b l i c b u i l d i n g s ( i n c l u d i n g p l a c e s o f assembly)
c) I n d u s t r i a l and c o m m e r c i a l b u i l d i n g s

a ) and b ) a r e c o n t r o l l e d b y t h e e q u i v a l e n t o f t h e M i n i s t r y o f
Internal Affairs. The e m p h a s i s o f t h e s e r e g u l a t i o n s i s t o
p r o t e c t people.

c ) are c o n t r o l l e d by M i n i s t r y o f Works a n d t h e i n s u r a n c e
industry. The e m p h a s i s o f t h e s e regulations i s mainly t o
protect property.
To p r o t e c t p e o p l e t h e r e g u l a t i o n s c o v e r

A Materials

Ignitability
Surface spread o f flame
and s i m i l a r c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s

With r e s p e c t t o i n s u l a t e d p a n e l s , t h e m e t a l s k i n g i v e s good
r e s u l t s f o r these tests. This s a t i s f i e s t h e Ministry of
I n t e r n a l A f f a i r s , t h e r e f o r e no o t h e r p r o b l e m i s s e e n on t h e i r
part. The i n t e r n a l i n s u l a t i o n c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s a r e n e g l e c t e d .

B Resistance t o Fire

These a r e t h e n o r m a l f i r e r e s i s t a n c e r a t i n g tests
a p p l i c a b l e t o e l e m e n t s . R e q u i r e m e n t s v a r y from 4 h o u r t o
4 hours.

As a test for fire stability or suitability the

m a t e r i a l s must be

leakproof t o f i r e
structurally stable
prevent passage of or incorporate protection against
inflammable gases

Regulations are contained i n the following:

Book 1 R e f e r e n c e No. 1 1 0 1 , 1 9 7 9 - Public Buildings

Book 2 R e f e r e n c e No. 1 4 7 7 , - Control o f Fire
Book 3 Code d u T r a v a i l 1 9 7 8

A l l a r e a v a i l a b l e f o r p u r c h a s e from

Journal Official
2 6 Rue D e s a i v
75015 P a r i s

Recommendations for insurance are controlled by the Ministry

o f Finance.

C o n t a c t a d d r e s s f o r any d a t a w i t h r e s p e c t t o c u r r e n t p l a n n i n g
a n d f u t u r e p r o p o s a l s a n d r e g u l a t i o n s i s CSTR.

M. Mathex
C e n t r e S c i e n t i f i q u e e t Technique du B a t i m e n t
4 A v e Recteur P o i n c a r r e
75016 P a r i s
 Training

An a u d i o v i s u a l p r e s e n t a t i o n f o r s a f e t y i n c o l d s t o r a g e i s
s t i l l b e i n g e d i t e d up p r i o r t o g e n e r a l r e l e a s e . I t was
o r i g i n a l l y prepared f o r use by t h e f i r e departments t o t r a i n
S a f e t y O f f i c e r s who w o u l d t h e n t r a i n t h e s t a f f . Details o f
c o s t were n o t a v a i l a b l e . The p r e s e n t a t i o n w o u l d b e a v a i l a b l e
i n v a r i o u s languages.

3. V
. i s i t t o M o e t a n d Chandon
kpernay, France 24 M a r c h 1 9 8 2

The p a c k i n g , s t o r a g e and d i s t r i b u t i o n a r e a handled not only

champagne, b u t a l s o o t h e r b o t t l e d d r i n k s .

Storage s t a t i s t i c s .

Dimensions 80m x 24m x 14m h i g h

Storage 4800 p a l l e t s ( t i m b e r )
6 pallets high
4 t o 5 p a l l e t s wide o f f each a i s l e

Temperature + 10°C

Operation 2 s t a c k e r c r a n e s each o p e r a t i n g a
M i l l s - K r e t r i e v a l module.

C a r t o n e d p r o d u c t s were s t a c k e d o n t o t i m b e r p a l l e t s a t t h e end
of the packing l i n e . Each p a l l e t was i n s p e c t e d b y l i g h t r a y s
f o r c o r r e c t o v e r a l l dimensions and v i s u a l l y b y t h e c o n t r o l l e r .
The c o n t r o l l e r selected the option o f storage or direct
dispatch.

The p a l l e t was a u t o m a t i c a l l y t r a n s p o r t e d b y a c o n v e y o r s y s t e m
t o one o f t w o s t o r a g e i n p u t p o r t s . The s t a c k e r c r a n e t o o k t h e
p a l l e t down t h e a i s l e and up t o t h e s e l e c t e d s t o r a g e row.
The r e t r i e v a l m o l e t r a n s p o r t e d t h e p a l l e t o f f t h e s t a c k e r c r a n e
a n d down t h e r o w i n t o t h e s t a c k p o s i t i o n , d e p o s i t e d t h e p e l l e t
and r e t u r n e d t o t h e crane. The m o l e r e c e i v e d i n s t r u c t i o n s v i a
i t s u m b i l i c a l c o r d attached t o t h e s t a c k e r crane.

Retrieval for d i s p a t c h was a reverse operations with the

s t a c k e r crane discharging onto t h e discharge conveyor. Stacker
c r a n e s c o u l d move f r o m o n e a i s l e t o t h e o t h e r , but with
difficulty.

Operation Role

Each s t a c k e r c r a n e c o u l d a c h i e v e 28 movements/hour i n one t y p e

operation i.e. e i t h e r storage or dispatch.
T o t a l movements f o r t h e s t o r e - 5 6 p a l l e t s / h o u r .
If p r o g r a m m e d t o d o b o t h s t o r a g e a n d d i s p a t c h t h e s t o r e c o u l d
h a n d l e 80 p a l l e t s / h o u r .

S t o r a g e System

A l l p r o d u c t s o f o n e t y p e w e r e s t a c k e d i n t h e same r o w . The
first in first out principle was observed within the
r e s t r i c t i o n o f t h e capacity o f t h e row i.e. 4 or 5 pallets. A
d o u b l e p a l l e t was u s e d . T h e u p p e r o n e was s t a n d a r d a n d
d i s p a t c h e d w i t h t h e goods. The l o w e r p a l l - e t was s p e c i a l l y
d e s i g n e d f o r t h e r a c k s and remained i n t h e s t o r e .

Manpower

No-one worked within the store proper. Apart from t h e

c o n t r o l l e r , o n e o t h e r p e r s o n h a n d l e d t h e p u n c h e d c a r d s f o r make
up o f dispatch orders. An I B M c o m p u t e r was u s e d .

I n s t a l l a t i o n and Maintenance

T h e p l a n t was i n s t a l l e d i n 1973. Many t e e t h i n g p r o b l e m s

o c c u r r e d m a i n l y due t o t h e i n t e r n a l p l a n t , e l e c t r i c a l work and
feed i n - feed o u t equipment a l l b e i n g handled under separate
contracts. Once t h e c o m m i s s i o n i n g p r o b l e m s w e r e r e s o l v e d v e r y
few breakdowns occurred.

T h e c a p a c i t y o f t h e s t o r e was d e s i g n e d t o s u i t t h e t h r o u g h p u t
o f t h e winery. No i n c r e a s e i n t h r o u g h p u t was e x p e c t e d b u t
Moet and Chandon c o u l d n o t s e e any r e a s o n n o t t o i n s t a l l a
s i m i l a r p l a n t i n c o r p o r a t i n g t h e t e c h n o l o g i c a l improvements over
t h e past 9 years.

C o o l S t o r e C o n s t r u c t i o n and F i r e P r o t e c t i o n

T h e s t o r e was f r e e s t a n d i n g o n a p l a t f o r m o n a h i l l s i d e . One
end o f t h e s t o r e formed an e x t e n s i o n o f t h e p a c k i n g h a l l .
C o n s t r u c t i o n was m e t a l c l a d i n s u l a t i o n s u p p o r t e d o f f t h e r a c k e d
system.

A u t o m a t i c s p r i n k l e r s were i n s t a l l e d a t 3 l e v e l s within t h e
racks. Smoke d e t e c t o r s w e r e i n s t a l l e d a b o v e a l l o p e n i n g s
outside the store.

Store Efficiency

This type o f store o p e r a t i o n was more e f f e c t i v e i n t h e

u t i l i z a t i o n o f space within t h e s t o r a g e volume t h a n t h e m u l t i -
a i s l e p a l l e t p i c k e r t h a t w o r k s o n l y one p a l l e t deep. I t was
m o r e s u i t a b l e f o r o p e r a t i o n s i n v o l v i n g a few b u l k l i n e s r a t h e r
t h a n many i n d i v i d u a l l i n e s , s u c h a s i c e c r e a m p r o d u c t s .
 I t was o b v i o u s t h a t t h e m e a s u r e o f e f f i c i e n c y h a d n o b e a r i n g
w i t h r e s p e c t t o number o f p a l l e t s w i t h i n a g i v e n v o l u m e . To
o b t a i n m e a n i n g f u l c o m p a r i s o n s t o t a l i n s t a l l e d c o s t s and r u n n i n g
c o s t s i n c l u d i n g l a b o u r , must be r e l a t e d t o t h e r a t e o f h a n d l i n g
pallets.

4. V i s i t t o G r u n z w e i g and H e r t m a n n M o n t a g e ,
L u d w i g s h a f e n , Germany 3 0 March 1982

Present: R u d o l f Stemmier G & H, M o n t a g e

Heinz Z e i l f e l d e r G & H, M o n t a g e
J. H u n t M o r r i s o n Cooper &
Partners

G & H M o n t a g e a r e a h u g e o r g a n i s a t i o n and o n e o f t h e l a r g e s t
insulation manufacturers, fabricators and cold store
c o n t r a c t o r s i n Europe.

German r e g u l a t i o n s w i t h r e s p e c t t o i n s u l a t i o n a r e c o n t a i n e d i n
DIN 4 1 0 2 and DIN 1 8 1 6 4 . Apart from F e d e r a l
r e g u l a t i o n s each s t a t e has i t s own r e g u l a t i o n s and even
i n d i v i d u a l c i t i e s i f l a r g e enough. B u i l d i n g s approved i n one
a r e a may n o t b e a c c e p t e d i n a n o t h e r . The u s e o f p o l y s t y r e n e
i n s u l a t i o n was d i m i n i s h i n g , b e i n g r e p l a c e d b y p o l y u r e t h a n e a n d
m i n e r a l wool.

Polyurethane Panels

The p a n e l s w e r e f o r m e d w i t h a h o l l o w j o i n t a s shown i n F i g u r e
I The e n d s o f t h e m e t a l s k i n s w e r e f o l d e d b a c k p r o u d o f t h e
foamed c o r e . An e l o n g a t e d b r i d g e s e c t i o n was p o p p e d i n t o p l a c e
and s e c u r e d by a n y l o n b o l t . The v o i d was foamed w i t h
p o l y u r e t h a n e and a c o l o u r c o a t e d c o v e r c h a n n e l s n a p p e d o v e r f o r
a e s t h e t i c . reasons. T h i s j o i n t was c o n s i d e r e d b y G & H M o n t a g e
t o b e t h e m o s t e f f i c i e n t and c h e a p e s t p r o d u c e d .

metal snap in joint cwer

I
cotour c d e d snap in cover plate
Figure I - Wall Joint
An a l t e r n a t i v e j o i n t s h o w n i n F i g u r e I consisted o f panels
with a l a r g e trough-section i n t e r l o c k i n g j o i n t . The p a n e l s k i n
was offset to the insulation. No o n - s i t e material was
necessary e x c e p t f o r a s i l i c o n e bead t o each.face.

silicone bead--t

panel

F i g u r e I1 - Wall Joint

T h i s j o i n t was s a t i s f a c t o r y f o r p a n e . 1 l e n g t h s u p t o 10-15m.
B e y o n d t h a t l e n g t h t h e m o v e m e n t was t o g r e a t f o r t h e c a p a c i t y
o f t h e s i l i c o n e bead.

o o f p a n e l s , d e v e l o p e d b y F r i g o s c a n d i a , made u s e o f s t a n d a r d
ray section roofing sheets for t h e upper e x t e r i o r face.
F i g u r e 111). Wedges o f foam w e r e p u s h e d i n t o t h e r i b b e f o r e
p o l y u r e t h a n e foam i n t r o d u c e d . P a n e l s were l a i d w i t h a c l i p -
o v e r snap j o i n t t o t h e r i b . The m e t h o d o f m a i n t a i n i n g t h e
v a p o u r b a r r i e r was n o t s e e n .

F i g u r e 111 - Roof J o i n t
Up t o 50mm o f g r a v e l was f r e q u e n t l y l a i d i n t h e r o o f i n g t r o u g h s
t o reduce heat. Shade r o o f s o f t e n u s e d r a g f e l t u n d e r t h e
m e t a l s k i n t o r e d u c e t e m p e r a t u r e s i n t h e r o o f space.

The density of p o l y s t y r e n e used under floors was u p t o

30kg/m3. Normally, concrete wearing slabs, reinforced with
mesh, w e r e u s e d r a t h e r t h a n p r e - s t r e s s e d f l o o r s .

I n t e r n a l p a r t i t i o n s were o f t e n formed f r o m p a n e l s f a c e 6 w i t h
8-10mm thick water resistant p a r t i c l e board faced w i t h a
polyester resin coating. Used u p t o 2m i n l e n g t h t h e s t r e n g t h
was s a t i s f a c t o r y w i t h e i t h e r a p o l y s t y r e n e o r p o l y u r e t h a n e
core. G & H. M o n t a g e h a v e n o t f o u n d w a r p i n g a p r o b l e m when
d i s s i m i l a r f a c i n g m a t e r i a l s were used.

Fire Protection

S p r i n k l e r s a r e c o n s i d e r e d n o good i n c o l d s t o r e s and h a v e n e v e r
b e e n i n s t a l l e d b y G & H. M o n t a g e .

"One operator installed them subsequently and has spent

DM400,OOO = ( $ N Z 2 2 0 , 0 0 0 ) o v e r 2 y e a r s p l u s a C02 s y s t e m t h a t
does n o t work. H o w e v e r , t h e i n s u r a n c e company was h a p p y a n d
g a v e a 3% r e d u c t i o n i n premium."

F i r e Ratings

G & H. Montage developed the ISOVER steel/mineral wool

i n s u l a t e d w a l l s y s t e m w i t h a 2 h r FRR.

E x t e r i o r t r a y s w e r e a l l o w e d t o move a g a i n s t w i d e n e d s t e e l
flanges w i t h a snapped-in t o p h a t section. The v a p o u r b a r r i e r
was m a i n t a i n e d w i t h s i l i c o n e s e a l a n t s a s shown i n F i g u r e I V .

structural member
+silicone seals

Figure I V - F i r e r a t e d i n s u l a t e d w a l l system
 A f i r e t e s t g i v i n g a r a t i n g o f 2 hr f o r a metal faced insulated
c e i l i n g had j u s t been completed. D e t a i l s . o f t h e p a n e l were not
available.

5. V i s i t t o F r i g o s c a n d i a SPA
Milan. I t a l v

Present: Dr E n r i c o Compagnoni Frigoscandia

J. Hunt M o r r i s o n Cooper and
Partners

E x i s t i n g c o l d s t o r e s operated by Frigoscandia tended towards

massive construction. Shade r o o f s w e r e n o t u s e d o v e r p a n e l
c o n s t r u c t i o n because o f h e a t b u i l d up and c o n d e n s a t i o n . Roof
structures consisted o f prestressed concrete double tees w i t h
p o l y s t y r e n e l a i d d r y on t o p , and f i n i s h e d w i t h a s u i t a b l e
membrane.

W a l l p a n e l s were s t a n d a r d F r i g o s c a n d i a panels. Under f l o o r

h e a t i n g u s e d l i q u i d c i r c u l a t e d t h r o u g h p i p e s at: 400mm c e n t r e s ;
i n a t 1 5 ' ~ , o u t a t 12°C. H e a t was o b t a i n e d f r o m g a s e s o f f t h e
r e f r i g e r a t i o n compressors. The s y s t e m was f u l l y c o n t r o l l a b l e
over 24 hours.

I Fire Protection

No f i r e p r o t e c t i o n was b u i l t i n t o t h e c o l d s t o r e s v i s i t e d .
C o n c r e t e s t r u c t u r a l w a l l s a n d t h e c o n c r e t e r o o f p r o v i d e d some
conpartmentation. Smoke d e t e c t o r s were not found to be
s a t i s f a c t o r y a l t h o u g h some w e r e i n s t a l l e d .

I n g e n e r a l r e l i a n c e was p l a c e d o n e x t e r n a l w a t e r m a i n s a n d
h y d r a n t s w i t h e a s y a c c e s s t o h y d r a n t k e y s , u p s t a n d s , h o s e s and
nozzles, l o c a t e d i n g l a s s boxes a t frequent i n t e r v a l s . Good
t r a i n i n g o f a l l p e r s o n n e l was c o n s i d e r e d e s s e n t i a l .

6. V i s i t t o Freddindustria - Magazzini G e n e r a l i SPA

Aprila - Rome 7 A p r i l 1982

Present: D o t t Tacchino Freddinstria

Rag I a n n e l l i Freddinstria
G. C o n s a l v i ( I n t e r p r e t e r ) N.Z H i g h C o m m i s s i o n
J. H u n t M o r r i s o n Cooper and
Partners

The c o l d s t o r e v o l u m e a tt h i s i n s t a l l a t i o n t o t a l l e d 180,000m3.
Incomplete f i r e p a r t i t i o n s l o c a t e d between c o l d s t o r a g e u n i t s
were formed from s t o n e blocks.
 A l l i n s u l a t e d p a n e l s used a p o l y u r e t h a n e c o r e . No b u i l t i n
fire protection existed. A ring main was a mandatory
requirement of the l o c a l f i r e brigade. The f i r e b r i g a d e had
a u t h o r i t y t o i n s p e c t and i n s i s t on any f i r e r a t e d requirements
a t any t i m e .

No s m o k i n g was allowed near the plant. First aid fire

e x t i n g u i s h e r s were p r o m i n e n t .

7. V i s t t o F r i g o r i f e r i d i T a r a z z o n o S.P.A.
Milan, I t a l y 1 A p r i l 1982

Present: I n g Serge Georginadi F r i g o r i f e r i d i Tarazzono

Rag E n r i c o C a p e l l i n i F r i g o r i f e r i d i Tarazzono
J. H u n t M o r r i s o n Cooper and
Partners

The maximum size of the cold store at this establishment was

38,000m3.

P o l y s t y r e n e was r a r e l y u s e d t h r o u g h o u t I t a l y . Polyurethane
cored panels used foamed-in-place polyurethane joints t o
m a i n t a i n t h e vapour b a r r i e r . I n s u l a t e d p a n e l s were o f t e n used
w i t h a t h i c k n e s s o f 200-220mm.

R o o f p a n e l s u s e d foamed j o i n t s w i t h a c o v e r p l a t e o v e r .

Fire Protection

T h i s i n s t a l l a t i o n u s e d a g a p o f 6m b e t w e e n a l l c o l d s t o r e s .
H y d r a n t s and h o s e s were r e q u i r e d b y t h e l o c a l a u t h o r i t y .

Smoke detectors were installed to satisfy the insurance

company. Use o f t h e d e t e c t o r s was n o t b e l i e v e d i n b y t h e
o p e r a t o r s a s many f a l s e a l a r m s o c c u r r e d .

The management r e l i e d o n t h e t r a i n i n g o f a l l p e r s o n n e l t o b e
s u f f i c i e n t t o p r e v e n t , d e t e c t and d e a l w i t h a l l f i r e s . Two men
w e r e s e t a s i d e a s f i r e w a t c h e r s f o r any h o t w o r k . The w a t c h m a n
checked a l l h o t work a r e a s l a t e r . A l l e l e c t r i c a l e q u i p m e n t was
i n s t a l l e d i n metal cabinets.

R e f r i g e r a t i o n System

Ammonia was g e n e r a l l y u s e d w i t h f l o o r m o u n t e d u n i t s a t o n e e n d
o f t h e s t o r e o r above t h e door a i r l o c k s . Some d u c t e d s t o r e s
l o c a t e d t h e u n i t s above t h e d o o r a i r l o c k s and used a f a l s e
c e i l i n g o f s h e e t s t e e l on t h e u n d e r s i d e o f t h e s u p p o r t i n g r o o f
s t e e l w o r k t o t r a n s f e r t h e a i r t o t h e o p p o s i t e end o f t h e s t o r e .
 A l l s t o r e s were f i t t e d with a i r v e n t s t o b a l a n c e p r e s s u r e
changes. T h e s e c o n s i s t e d o f a 100mm d i a PVC e l b o w t h r o u g h t h e
i n s u l a t i o n with a l i g h t b u l b i n s i d e t o p r e v e n t i c e and
c o n d e n s a t i o n b u i l d up.

8. V i s i t t o Comm B e r n a r d o T e r s i g n i
Rome - Italy 7 A p r i l 1982

Present: B. Tersigni President o f Cold Store

Owners U n i t o f I t a l y
G. Consalvi (Interpreter) N.Z H i g h C o m m i s s i o n
J. Hunt M o r r i s o n Cooper and
Partners

F i r e p r e c a u t i o n s i n I t a l y were under t h e c o n t r o l o f N a t i o n a l
A s s o c i a t i o n o f Combustion C o n t r o l , ANCC.

I n s p e c t i o n s w e r e made a t t i m e o f c o m m i s s i o n i n g o f a c o l d s t o r e
with p e r i o d i c checks i n t h e f u t u r e .
 26

APPENDIX 1

Conference S t a t i s t i c s

Names o f D e l e g a t e s

Countries Represented
 27

CONFERENCE S T A T I S T I C S

Dates 17-19 March 1982

Location Hotel Intercontinental, Paris

Number o f P a p e r s P r e s e n t e d 28

F i r e S a f e t y Papers 21

R e f r i g e r a t i o n S a f e t y Papers 1

Worker s a f e t y p a p e r s

Number o f d e l e g a t e s a t t e n d i n g

Number o f c o u n t r i e s r e p r e s e n t e d
 ASSOCIATION EUROPEENNE
DE S
EXPLOITATIONS FRIGORIFIQUES
...........................

1982
-----------
Mars

Hate1 I n t e r c o n t i n e n t a l - 3, rue de C a s t i g l i o n e - PARIS I e r

T61. 260 37-80

-AFRIQUE DU SUD
M. H.E. ROWEN I r w i n & Johnson Ltd Cape Town

ALLEMAGNE
-. FEDERALE

M. R . BOVENSMANN F r i g o s c a n d i a Gmbh Gross Germ

M. E . GRAMSTADT P r 6 s i d e n t de llAEEF Hamburg

M. R. HARTWIEG Jauch & Hiibener Hamburg

M.Mme K. HEINZE Halstenbek

M. P . JACOB Linde Miinchen

M . h e H. KUHLER Bremerhaven KuhJhauser Bremerhaven

F. Russe d Co ~ m b h

M. K. MUNCH Verband d e r S a c h v e r s i c h e r e r e.v. Kij l n

M. A. SAFT Fachverband d e r Kiilhauser und Bonn

E i s f a b r i k e n e.V.

M. L. SIMON T r a n s i t K i i h l h a u s g e s e l l s c h a f t mbh Emmerich

-aLEMAGNE DE L'EST
--
M. B . JUNGE Vvb. KGhl. und L a g e x w i r t s c h a f t Berlin
A U T R I C H E

M.Mme H. AICHINGER Vereinigte Eisfabriken Wien

u. Kuhlhallen in Wien
M.Mme H. WIDHALM Unifrost Grossenzetsdorf

-
B E L G I Q U E

M. POOT Artic Bruxe lles

M. C. LEENKNECHT Eurofrost Kortrijk
M. P. MAES AG Bruxelles
M. W. VANDENBERGE A.E.E.F. Bruxelles
M. A. VIERSTRAETE Belgian New Fruit Wharf N.V. Antwerpen

C H I N E

M. XIE LING-SHEN Institut de Projets Beijing

du Ministsre du Commerce
II II 11

-
D A N E M A R K

M.Mme J. BASTHOLM Danish cold Btores Group Ltd Aalborg

I1
bl.Mme J. LARSEN II II II

M.Mme G. R ~ N E R Frigo Consult Copenhagen

M. N.K. TOFT Thomas Ths. Sabroe & Co Hdjberg

E S P A G N-
E

M.Mme V. CODONER LACAL Frudesa Valencia

M.Mme J.R. GARCIA PUJOL Prigorificos de..Tarragona SA Tarragona
M. E. LOSATO PARAMIO Anefe Madrid
M. ROTAECHE CHALBAUD Ramon Vizcaino SA Madrid
II It 11
M. J.P. SESE ARSUAGA
M.Mme J.M. VALLVE BELLMUNT Frigorificos de Tarragona SA Tarragona
M. V. VIZCAINO OCARIZ Ramon Vizcaino SA Madrid

E T A T S - U N I S

M. G.R. HAMPSON Maritime Terminal Inc. New Bedford

11 II
M. RICHMOND VIALL 11
F R A N C E

M. ANDRIES Norfrigo Boulogne s/ Mer

11. ANQUEZ Prdsident de 1'Association Paris
Fransaise du Proid
Mme AUGUEUX Association Fransaise du Froid Paris
M. J.P. AUDIFFRET Wanner-Isofi Isolation Rueil-Malmaison
M. BAILLET Sofrino Caen
M. BARAUD Entrepats Frigorifiques de Migennes
Vigennes
M. J. BARREAU . Frigosud
M. J,M. BEDON Caisse Regionale dfAssurance
Maladie de 1'Ile-de-France Paris
M. BELLOY Entrepats Frigorifiques de Chateauroux
Chateauroux
M. BESNIARD Pomona Paris
M. BIGAND S I A C I Paris
M. BIGOURDAN Federation des Magasins Gendraux Paris
M. R. BLANCHER Glaci&res et Entrepats Frigori- Chamalikes
fiques dfAuvergne
M. BONNAIRE C.E.G.F. Paris
Mme BOUCHERAT C.E.G.F. Paris
M. BOUVARD Groupement Fran~aisdes Installa-
tions et Fabricants de Sprinklers Paris
M. BUC S.T.E.F. Vitry s/ Seine
M. CUEAUX-CAZALET S I A C I Paris
M. L. CHARTOIRE Glacieres et Entrepats Frigo- Chamalikes
ri fiques d1Auvergne
M. le Colonel CHEVASSU Chef du Service'Prevention
Brigade des Sapeurs-Pompiers Paris
M. CHEVALLIER Paris
M. COLOMBIES C N P P Paris
M. COUPIAC MATAL Nantes
Melle M.F. COURTIN Feddration des Magasins G6n6raux Paris
M. R. DAVID Bondue 1le P6ronne
M. DECELLE Cergy-Pontoise
M. G. DELTEIL Frigorifique de Paris Paris
M. A. DEZAN Compagnie Industrielle Maritime Paris '

M. A. DEVERRE S.T.E.F. Avignon

M. DOMEZON Groupement Frangais des Installa- Paris
teurs et Fabricants de sprinklers
M. M. DONZEAU S.T.E.F. Paris
M. R. DITOUR SOPAD Courbevoie
 M. A. DUPORT S.T.E.F. Lyon
me- FABIUS Paris
M. J. FESQ C.E.G.F. Paris
M. . E. FIEVRE Froid-Satam-Brandt Courbevoie
M. FINIDORI C N P P Paris
M. R. FONDRAZ Cerberus Guinard Buc
M. J. FONTAINE Contrale et PrCvention Paris
PI. FROTEAU C.E.G.F. Bordeaux
M. A. GAC Directeur de 1'Institut
International du Froid Paris
M. A. GALISTIN Compagnie Industrielle Maritime Paris
M. J.F. GARNOT La Prevention Rurale Paris
M. GAYET Compagnie Generale Frigorifique St Germain-en-Laye
M. G. GEBELIN S.T.E.F. Paris
M. GIBAULT Froid-Satam-Brandt Courbevoie
M. GODEFROY Caisse Nationale dlAssurance Paris
Maladie
M. J. GROLEE Ministere de llAgriculture Paris
M. P. GROS Institut National de Recherche Paris
et de Sdcurite
M. GROS S.T.E.F. Paris
M. D. HACNOUL Dagard Boussac
M. HOMMEL C.E.G.F. Paris
M. M. HORNACEK G I P A C Paris
M. P. JOLY Solvay et Cie Paris
M. J. KRUPPA Centre Technique Industrie!1 Puteaux
M. de la Construction Metallique
M. G. LABONNE Transfrigoroute-France Paris
M. C. LAHAUT Syndicat National de llIsolation Paris
M. F. LE DREVES France-Glaces Findus Beauvais
..
M. R. LEICHLE LeTchle SA Cirey/Vezouze
M. B. LEMAIRE Motta-France Argentan
M. M. LEMAIRE Wanner-Isofi-Isolation Rueil-Malmaison
Mme LOCHES Institut International du Froid Paris
M; le Colonel.LOISEL Direction SCcurite Civile Paris
Ministere Interieur
Entrepats Frigorifiques La Chiltaigneraie
U.S.N.E.F. Paris
I M. MARCHAL Bouygues Clamart
M. C. MARCHAND Girki SA Libourne
I
M. MAURICE C.E.G.F. Paris
M. MERCEREAU A.P.S.A.I. Paris
M. R. MENANT Norfrigo Boulogne s/Mer
M. J.P. MESSIN Conseil en assurances Albertville
M. C. MILLA Frigosud B6ziere
M. J. MONTHOIL Soci6t6 G6n6rale de Courtage Paris
dlAssurances
M. H. MOUTERDE S.T.E.F. Paris
M. MOYEN Institut National de Recherche Paris
et de S6curite
M. .
R NAVARRE U.S.N.E.F. Paris
M. A. d 'OIRON U.S.N.E.F. Paris
M. M. OUVRY Sofrino Caen
M. PATIN C.E.G.F. Paris
PI. PENNAMEN C.E.G.F. Le Havre
Pi. J. PETIT Christian Salvesen SA Les Ulis
M. POMMEL E.M.G.P. Paris
M. POST Compagnie Industrielle Maritime Paris
F!. J.M. RENAUD Fourney-PSF Vonnas
M. R. REYNAUD S.T.E.F. Paris
M. M. RIEU S.T.F.F. Vitry s/ Seine
M. L. ROUSSEL Revue G6n6rnle du Froid Paris
M. ROY St Paul Fire and Marine Paris
M. D. SIBILEAU Produits Alimentaires Blanchaud Saumur
M. STEPYAN Compagnie Industrielle Maritime Paris
11. J. SUPLISSON Groupe Sprinks Paris
M. Y. TESSON Frigorifique Tesson Les Sables dtOlonne
M. TIBLOUX Rockwool isolation Paris
M. J. TIREL Natal Nantes
M. VERRIER Abeille-Paix Paris
M. C. VESTEY Compagnie G6n6rale Frigorifique St Germain-en-Laye
G R A N D E - B R E T A G N E

M. A. AUSTFlICK Associated Cold Stores Ltd London

M.Mme 11.1. CASH Guardian Fire Detectors Ltd Romford
M. M.M. FERGUSON The western Ice and Cold Bristol
Storage Co Ltd
M. P. FROST Fire offices' Committee London
M. E.W. HALL Frigoscandia Limited Hoddesdon
M. J.C. HARRISON Lloyd's register of Shipping London
Mme S. HENRIKSSON Associated Cold Stores Ltd. London
M. P.V. LE RESCHE European Risk Management Ltd Weybridge
M. D. LOUGWR Welsh Cold Stores Cardiff
II II II
M. D. Mc INNES
M. ..
P J MARCHANT United kingdom Cold Storage Ltd Dagenham
Mme B.F. ROGOWSKI Fire Research Station BoShamwood
M.Mme A. STERA ILoyds Register of Shipping London
M.Mme C.W. TOOLE Frigoscandia Limited Hoddesdon
M . b F.A. WALLIS F.A. Wallis Ltd Edenbridge

H O N G R I E

M. I. HOLLIK Budapest
M. S. KISS Magyar Hutoipari Vallalat Budapest

I R L A N D E

M. W. MARTIN Autozero Ltd Dublin

II It II
M. P.P. MEADE
M. G. MURPHY Water ford

I T A L I E

M. F. CORIMI I.V.T.P.A.

-
N O R V E G E

M. 0. NISSEN L.B.R. Sandvika

M. H. TVEITSME Directorate of Fisheries Bergen
N O U V E L L E - Z E L A N D E

M.Mme J.H. HUNT Morrison Cooper and Partners Wellington

M. J .A. SHEPPARD Christchurch

P A Y S - B A S

M. J.E. DUIVEN Ba thmen

11 . L. TVILT

P O L O G N E

M. 2. BYCZKOWSKA Instytut Medxcyny Pracy Bieruta

M. MLYNARZYK President Commission Dl de 1'I.I.F. Varsovie

S U E D E

M. L. JACOBSON Frigoscandia AB He lsingborg

I1
M. A. LINDBORG It

S U I S-
S E

M. BACHER Soc. d'assistance technique La Tour de Peilz

pour produits Nestle SA
M. M. FASEL Frigo St Johann AG
M. P. JAN Societk des Gares Frigorifiques Carouge
et Ports francs de Gensve
M. H. SENN EntrepGts Frigorifiques de la
Gare de B2le SA

T C H E C O S L O V A Q U I E

M. 0. CERVENKA Praho
M. J. HRUBY Praha
I1
M. B. VANEK

Y O U G O S L A V I E
Mme J. DJORDJEVIC Facult4 des Sciences des Protec-
tions au Travail de 1'Universitd Ni s
de Nis
1I II
El. J. SIMONCIC 11
M. F O X Mme PERROT

Mme de la GRANVILLE Melle REMOND

Mme LISIAK Melle YATES

 APPENDIX 2

C o n f e r e n c e Programme

Papers Presented:

P r e p r i n t s were p u b l i s h e d i n t h e f o l l o w i n g volume:

INTERNATIONAL I n s t i t u t e o f R e f r i g e r a t i o n . C o m m i s s i o n
Dl. R e f r i g e r a t e d S t o r a g e .
F i r e p r e v e n t i o n and s a f e t y i n c o l d s t o r e s : M a r c h 17-19,
1982, Paris a e preprint/International Institute of
R e f r i g e r a t i o n C o m m i s s i o n Dl ( R e f r i g e r a t e d S t o r a g e ) ;
European A s s o c i a t i o n o f R e f r i g e r a t i o n E n t e r p r i s e s . - Paris
: t h e I n s t i t u t e , 1982. - 155p. : ill.;24cm.

P a p e r s i n E n g l i s h and F r e n c h w i t h E n g l i s h s u m m a r i e s .

E x t r a p r e p r i n t s n o t i n c l u d e d i n above.
INSTITUT INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION EUROPEENNE
DU DES
FROID EXPLOITATIONS FRIGORIFIQUES
=PE===I==P=l===PPI=PIB===51E

PARIS - 17- 1 P . 19 Mars 1982

Hatel Intercontinental - 3, rue de Castiglione - PARIS Ier

Tel. 260 37-80

/ Mercredi 17 Mars /'

Premiere seance presid6e par
M. REYNAUD
Vice-president de la Commission Dl
Directeur General de la S.T.E.F.

9 h - Accueil des congressistes

- Allocution de M. GRAMSTADT, President de llAssociation
Europeenne des Exploitations
Frigorifiques
et President du Comit6 dtOrganisation
- Allocution de M. G A C Directeur de 1'Institut
International du Froid
..
- Organisation des travaux par M. REYNAUD

9 h 40 - No 1 - DANS
LA PROTECTION CONTRE LES INCENDIES
LES ENTREPOTS FRIGORIFIQUES
P. JACOB (Linde) R.F.A.

- No 2 - FIRE PREVENTION AND SAFETY IN REFRIGERATED

WAREHOUSES
C.W. TOOLE (Frigoscandia) Angleterre
 No . 3 - FIRE HAZARD IN COLD STORES
H. BJERKNES - OD0 NISSEN - PER JOSTEIN HOUDE

No 4 - SECURITE ET PREVENTION DU FEU DANS LES

ENTREPOTS FRIGORIFIQUES
Suieee

No 5 - POLICIES FOR FIRE SAFETY OF COLD STORES

INTHENETHERLANDS
J.E. DUIVEN and L. TWILT Pays-Bae

No 6 - FIRE SAFETY IN THE NEW ZEALAND MEAT FREEZING

INDUSTRY WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO
COLD STORES
J.H. HUNT - D.J. MILLER - M.J.A. SHEPPARD New Zealand

No 7 - A FIRE CODE FOR THE NEW ZEALAN) MEAT FREEZING

INDUSTRY WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO COLD STORES
P.K. BURTON-WOOD - J.H. HUNT - M.J.A. SHEPPARD New Zealand

-
12 h Remiee du Ier Prix de la Fondation J.B. VERLOT

12 h 30 DCjeuner B 1'Hatel Intercontinental

Deuxi&me seance pr6eid6e par

M . GRA!fSTADT
President de 1'A.E.E.F.

No 8 - BEHAVIOUR OF FROZEN MEAT PRODUCTS IN FIRE

SITUATION
J.H. HUNT New Zealand

No 9 - AN INVESTIGATION INTO IGNITABILITY OF FROZEN

MEAT CARCASSES
D BASTINGS - J.H. HUNT New Zealand

No 10 - LA PREVENTION DES INCENDIES DANS LES

ETABLISSEMENTS POUR EMMAGASINAGE ET
CONSERVATION DES FRUITS
-
N. SALVATI F.L. GORINI
 PROBLEMES DE CONSTRUCTION
...........................
No 11 - LA SECURITE INCENDIE DANS LES BATIMENTS
A STRUCTURE METALLIQUE
J. KRUPPA (c.T.I.c.M.) France

No 12 - COMPORTEMENT AU FEU DES PANNEAUX DE

CHAMBRES FROIDES
D. HAGNOUL (Ets Dagard) France

No 13 - LE RECHAUFFAGE DES CADRES DE PORTES

DE CHAMBRES FROIDES
A. GEORGES (s.T.E.F.) France

No 13 bis (ne figure pas dans la brochure)

- LES ENTREPOTS FRIGORIFIQUES INCOMBUSTIBLES
J.P. AUDIFFRET (Wanner-Isofi) France

No 13 ter (ne figure pas dans la brochure)

- PROCEDE DE CONSTRUCTION AVEC PANNEAUX EN BETON
P.L. MARCHAL (~ouygues) France

/ Jeudi 18 Mars 1
Troisihe seance presidee par
M. MLYNARCZYK
President de la Commission Dl de 1' I.I.F.

No 14 - ETUDE DE LA PROTECTION DES ENTREPOTS FRIGORIFIQUES

CONTRE L'INCENDIE
J. GROLEE - J. COLOMBIES France

No 15 - FORMATION A LA SECURITE INCENDIE DANS LES

ENTREPOTS FRIGORIFIQUES
J. GROLEE - J. COLOMBIES - CLAISSE France

No 16 - LA PROTECTION AUTOMATIQUE PAR SPRINKLERS

par C. BOWARD (Groupement des Installateure
de sprinklers) France
No 17 - EXTINCTION DES INCENDIES DANS EES CHAMBRES
A BASSE TEMPERATURE
METHODE DE NOYAGE PAR co2
A. DUPORT ( STEF) France

No 18 - ESSAI D'EXTINCTION AU co2 DANS L'INSTALLATION

PILOTE DE VALENCE

A. DUPORT - DEVERRE (STEF) France

- Table ronde avec des representants de

corps de pompiers (extraction des fumdes
intervention des pompiers,
etc .. . 1

Quatrieme dance pr6sidee par

M. R. NAVARRE
Premident de 1s Coanniseion PlCniSre de 1'A.E.E.P.
D416guC Gen6ral de 1' U.S.N.E.F.

No 19 - UN EXEMPLE DE PROTECTION INCENDIE DANS UN

GRAND ENTREPOT FRIGORIFIQUE
R. MAURICE - P. BONNAIRE (CEGF) France

No 2 0 - INFLUENCE DU TRAVAIL DANS LES ENTREPOTS

FRIGORIFIQUES SUR LA SANTE DE L'HOMME
2. BYCZKOWSKA - H. LANGAVER - LEWOWICKA Pologne

No 2 1 - AMMONIA SAFETY IN REFRIGERATED WAREHOUSES

LINDBORG (Frigoscandia) Suede

No 22 - LA REGLEMENTATION ET LA SECURITE DANS LES

ENTREPOTS FRIGORIFIQUES
C. HOMMEL (CEGF) ~;ance

No 23 - MESURES DE SECURITE AU FRANCHISSEMENT DES

PORTES DE CHAMBRES FROIDES
M. RIEU (STEF-Vitry) France
 No 2 4 - MECANISATION ET SECURITE DANS LE CHARGEMENT
DES QUARTIERS DE VIANDE CONGELES
A. BARAUD France

NO 24 bis(ne figure pas dans la brochure)

SAFETY MEASURES IN THE HUNGARIAN COLD
STORES
S. KISS Hongrie

No 25 - CONSIDERATION SUR LES OPINIONS DES OUVRIERS

CONCERNANT L'APPLICATION DES MESURES DE
PROTECTION DU TRAVAIL DANS QUELQUES
ENTREPOTS FRIGORIFIQUES

J. SIMONCIC - J. DJORDJEVIC Yougoslavie

18 h C o n c l u s i o n s par M. GRAMSTADT, President de 1'A.E.E.F.

et M. G A C, Directeur de 1'I.I.F.

/ Vendredi 19 Mars /

8 h 30 - D6part des cars de l'H8tel Intercontinental

Matinee - Visite du Laboratoire du Feu B Champs-sur-Marne B 15 Km ZI l'est de

Paris
Dejeuner en commun B 1'Abbaye de Royaumont

Apres-midi - Visite de l1Entrepi3t Frigorifique de la C.E.G.F. B Monteoult

( 2 0 km au nord de paris) 230 000 m3, dont 150 000 (-25" -30") sp6-
cialement affectes aux produits surg&s.
Vers 18 h - Retour B Paris et dislocation
 SAYZTY fr&SU&ES IN T U E U K C A R U N COLD STOHZS
S. hlSS
Hungerien Deepfreezing Industry.

This paper aims o n l y ' e t d e a l i n g w i t h the circumstencee t h e t

imply deh6ere o r r i s k s t o t h e l i f e o r h e a l t h of men end w i t h t h e
meesuree teken i n Hungary t o prevent a c c i d e n t e o r keep down t h e
e f f e c t e of hezerdoue c o n d i t i o n e .

he t h i n k t h a t t h e ffieaeuree teken by ue e r e e s s e n t i a l l y e i m i l e r
t o those i n o t h e r c o u n t r i e s , we s t i l l hope t h e t t h e r e r i l l be eome
conclu6ione t o be drawn from t h i s r e p o r t .

The circumetencee t h e t r e q u i r e p e r t i c u l e r e t t e n t i o n end s p e c i e 1

eolutionfi d i f f e r i n g from t h e n a b i t u e l e a f e t y . meeeuree o r exceeding
them e r e t h e f o l l o w i n g ;
I. The c l i m a t e in t h e cold s t o r e s end t h e e p a c i e l t i e e of t h e
#
commoditiee e t o r e d .
11, The r e f r i g e r a t i n g system, t h e machinery end t h e p r b p e r t i e e of
the r e f r i g e r a n t ueed.
Let u s eee t h e s e p o i n t e i n d e t a i l s .

1.8. I n Hungary t h e temperature, considered e e etenderd i n t h e

f r o z e n food s t o r a g e rooms, i e -25 O C ; i n t h e f r e e z i n g t u ~ e l e
i t may d r o p below -30 OC,
*arm, q u i l t e d c l o t h i n g end boota, gloves and e f u r c e p i s the
t r e d i t i o n a l p r o t e c t i o n . Over t h e p e s t few y e a r e t h e endeavour
in t h i e f i e l d he8 been t o bring about e more comforteble end
e t t h e same time h e a l t h i e r c l o t h i n g then b e f o r e , t h e r e q u i r e -
mente b e i n g , t h e t :

- it ehould p o s s e s s good h e a t i n e u l a t i n g p r o p e r t i e s , l e t t i n g
vepour through; f u r t h e r ,
- i t ehould be l i g h t end f l e x i b l e , s o e s n o t t o impede l e b o u i
e e t h e f o r m e r , olumey , q u i l t e d c l o t h i n g d i d .
The use of a a o - c a l l e d kidnej-warmer h a s t e e n i n t r o d u c e d r e c e n t l y ,
too: i t i s t o t e w o h under t h e l i n e d o v e r a l l , m n t i o n e d t e f o r e .
As t o t h e g l o v e e , t h e idea was t h a t they hdve t o comply w i t h t h r e e
requirementar

1./ t h e y should g i v e p r o t e c t i o n e g e i n a t c o l d a s w e i l e a a g e i n a t
i n i u r i e a by s p l i n t e r s of bone:
2./ t h e y ehould n o t impede m e t e r i a l h a n d l i n g by being clumey o r
stiff and m u s t n o t .be . s l i p p e r y end
3./ t h e y should meet s a n i t a r y r e q u i r e m e n t e by being e a a i l y c l e e n a b -
le .
Por t h e truckdrivere we have i n i t i a t e d a l s o a d e v e l o p i n g
scheme f o r a h e a t e d c l o t h i n g , t h a t i n c l u d e s t h e l i n e d o v e r a l l end
t h e b o o t e : t h e s o u r c e of energy being t h e t a t t e r j - of t h e l i f t
t r u c k . U n f o r t u n a t e l y we must admit t h a t t h e e x p e r i m e n t a l i t e m a
completed ao f a r heve n o t met t h e r a t h e r manyfold r e q u i r e m e n t s ,
t h u s t h e problem c e m o t be c o n s i d e r e d e a s o l v e d . There i s no
u n + n o u a agreement on t h e n e c e a a i t y of euch c l o t h e e e i t h e r .

1.b. The removing of t h e f r o s t from t h e g r a v i t y a i r c i r c u l e t i o n

e v e p o r e t o r e , t h a t took p l a c e moatly mechenich1l.v b.v s c r a p i n n .
u a e 4 t o be a manual work e t low t e m p e r a t u r e . Nowadays t h i a
o l d - f a s h i o n e d wey of d e f r 6 a t i n g i a t o be found but i n a few
p e r c e n t of t h e r e f r i g e r a t i n g p l a n t a ,

In a l l the othera,vie. those with forced e i r c i r c u l a t i o n

e v a p o r a t o r s , e u t o m e t i c o r eemi-eutomatic h o t gee d e f r o s t i n g
is a p p l i e d . T h i s method h a r d l y needa any manual work end if
s o , it i a done o u t s i d e t h e lorn t e m p e r a t u m e r e e .

It i e common p r a c t i c e t o d e f r o s t t h e e v e p o r e t o r s of t h e
f r e e z i n g t u n n e l s by w a t e r ; t h i a method, t o o , h a been made
a u t o m a t i c , c o n t r o l l e d from t h e o u t s i d e .

I.c. Ey now t h e mec'nanization of hard p f y a i e a l work i n c o n n e e t i o a

w i t h t h e a t a c k i n g end p i l i n g of t h e goods i n t h e low tem-
p e r e t u r e rooms h a s been completed a e f a r a a t h e e i n g l e s t o r e y
 cold e t o r e e , b u i l t i n t h e paet two decades, e r e concerned.
Mechanical h a n d l i n g of goods i n cardboard boxes, c a s e s , eecke
. o r bags on p R e t t s equipped w i t h cornerpoete hes teen solved
from t h e very beginning. Yet a s t o t h e pig h e l v e s and b e e f q u a r t e r e
manual p i l i n g went on u n t i l t h e r e c e n t $ e a r s , when we succeeded
i n mechanizing t h i s work, t o o , by t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n of e eo c e l l e d
meat euepeneion frame, t h a t i e simply t o be p u t on the p a l l e t
poets.

Thus, f o r t h e time b e i n g , manual work i s r e s t r i c t e d t o t h e

euspension of t h e c s r c a a e e e on the framea end the t a k i n g them
o f f .reap. T h i s work can be done o u t s i d e t h e low temperature space.
Consequ e n t l y t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n of t h e meat euspension framea h a s
brought about a c o n s i d e r a b l e improvement i n t h e working c o n d i t i o n e :
i n a d d i t i o n t o t h e above t h e r a t h e r hazardous' manual s t a c k i n g , t o
be performed a t a n d i n g i n t h e h e i g h t on e shaky l o s d i n g p l a t f o r m
o r on t h e p i l e i t s e l f , could t e ommitted.

I..d. General s a f e t y measures concerning l i f t - t r u c k s a r e w e l l 'known.

B u t a s t o t h e l i f t t r u c k s used i n t h e cold e t o r e s , p a r t i c u l a r
a t r e s e muet be l a i d on t h e c a r e f u l choice of the proper m e t e r i e l
f o r t h e l o e d - c a r r y i n g c o n s t r u c t i o n s such a 3 , t h e f o r k s , t h e mast,
t h e c h a i n , t h e h y d r a u l i c c y l i n d e r e t c . The m a t e r i a l of t h e e e
h i g h l y s t r e s s e d componente m u s t possess a c e r t a i n value of n o t c h
toughness and muat n o t be prone t o low temperature embrittlement
even i f o p e r a t e d a t -30 OC o r below.

A s mechanical h a n d l i n g has been introduced i n Hungary eomewhet

l a t e r t h a n i n e e v e r a l i'ieetern c o u n t r i e s we could r e l y on t h e
e x p e r i e n c e gained t h e r e . That i s vru ?re have tought t r u c k s f o r
o u r cold s t o r e s only from manufacturere w i l l i n g t o guarentee t h e t
t h e m a t e r i e l s used f o r t h e i r t r u c k s dispoaeY of t h e above men-
tfoned p r o p e r t i e s .

Another requirement belonging only p a r t l y t o l a b o u r s a f e t y i s

$he so c s l l e a msnoeuvrebility of t h e l i f t trucker they muet be
s t l e t o "inch i n n t h e load tbrough t h e r a t h e r 'narrow a i s l e s
 bet$een two p a l l e t rows w i t h o u t ' t o u c h i n g them.

1.0. There La e n o t h e r r a t h e r s e r i o u s c o n c e r n bP
us i n c o n n e c t i o n
w i t h t h e t r u c k a : ' e v e r y y e a r one o r two of them happen t o f e l l
off t h e load'ing ramps, t h e ' c a u s e being t h a t , by t n e end of t h e
s h i f t , t h e s u r f a c e of t h e ramps g e t s /even i f , it i s c l e a n e d
r e g u l a r l y / s t a h e d by t h e o f f e l e of t h e p r o d u c t s moved i n and
out of t h e s t o r e .

Theae o f f a l a , f i r s t of a l l t h e g r e a s y o n e s , make t h e s u r f a c e
s l i p p e r y and if i t g e t s wet a t t h e same time t h e n i t i e r a t h e r
d i f f i c u l t t o p r e v e n t t h e t r u c k s from s k i d d i n g .

So f a r we have n o t succeeded i n f i n d i n g a s o l u t i o n t h a t n o ~ ~ l d
not impede t h e work on and t h e c l e a n i n g of t h e ramps and could
prevent t h e a c c i d e n t a w i t h t h e t r u c k s a t t h e same time.

11. S a f e t y measures w i t h r e g a r d t o t h e r e f r i g e r a t i n g eystem and t h e

refrigerant.

1I.a. There i s a l i u n g a r i a n s t a n d a r d specif:an.gthe r e g u l a t i o n e on t h e

e r e c t i o n and o p e r a t i o n of t h e r e f r i g e r a t i n g aystemsr i t
p & c t i c a l l y c o r r e s p o n d s t o t i e r e s p e c t i v e IS0 s t a n d a r d .
E l i m i n a t i o n of t h e . e x i a t i n g minor d i f f e r e n c e e i . e . , a d j u s t m e n t
of t h e Hungarian s t a n d a r d t o t h e IS0 i s j u e t under way. It i a
n o t w o r t h t e l l i n g more a t o u t t h i s a s t h e I S 0 i s supposed t o be
known t o t h e participants of t h i s meeting.

1I.b. It i s a b a s i c p r i n c i p l e and p r e s c r i p t i o n f o r e l l workshops

- w i t h t b e e x c e p t i o n of t h e machinerooms - t h a t a s soon a e
a ~ o n i ah a a t e e n s m e l l e d , t h e room i s t o be l e f t w i t h o u t any
delay. As ammonia has a p e r v a e i v e , s t r o n g o d o ~ r ,e a s i l y smelled
by man a t c o n c e n t r a t i o n s right telow t h e v a l u e hazerdous t o
h e a l t h , t h e r e seems t o t e n o need t o i n s t a l l d e t e c t o r s f o r t n e
p r o t e c t i o n of t h e w o r k e r s , On t h e o t h e r hand i t i s of g r e a t
importence- t o d e t e c t amaonio. i n t n o . a i r of the c o l d roome ao
 c e l ' t a i n commoditiee a r e vary s e n s i t i v e t o ammonia / r a e p b e t r i e e ,
s t r a w b e r r i e s e t c . / even a t vary low c o n c e n t r a t i o n o b u t , a s
p r o t e c t i o n of t h e goods i e n o t a m a t t e r of t h i s paper, f u r t h e r
explanation here i a not necessary.

I1.c. Each person working i n t h e machine-rooms i e s u p p l i e d w i t h a

gaemask f o r t h e c a s e of a lower c o n t a m i n a t i o n of t h e a i r ,
I n t h e machine-rooms t h e r e a r e f u r t h e r some 2-4 b r e a t h i n g
e p p a r a t u s e e w i t h a e l f ' contained oxigen s u p p l y , 3nd gaeproof
r o b b e r o v e r a l l s t o p r o t e c t a g a i n a t NH c o n c e n t r a t i o n s of ahy
3
measure.

1I.d. An o t h e r problem i n connection w i t h t h o s e working i n t h e

maohine-rooms i s how t o p r o t e c t them a g a i n e t t h e n o i s e ~ e n e r e t e d
by t h e compressors, Among t h e d i f f e r e n t kind3 of c o a p r e s s o r e .
used i n Hungary t h e r o t a r y vane mechinee b r i n g about n o i s e .
l e v e l s of o v e r 100 dB/AI herea as t h e n o i s e n e e s of t h e screw
compressors i s hetween 90-100 dB: however, t h e allowed v a l u e
i n Hungary i s only 85 dB i n accordance w i t h t h e IS0
recommendation.

P e r s o n a l p r o t e c t i o n i s ensured by h e a r i n g p r o t e c t o r a , such n e
e e r m u f f e and e a r p l u g s b e a r muffs e u p p r e s s e c o u e t i c e f f e c t e by
40-45 dB. That may seem a r a t h e r e f f i c i e n t way f o r t h e purpose,
b u t t h e y have eome d i s a d v a n t a g e s . One of them i s t h a t having
them on f o r a l o n g time i a uncomfortable, mainly i n summertime,
f u r t h e r they c u t down a l l s o r t of sounds. That may h i n d e r
workers i n t h e understanding of t h e t a l k of each o t n e r . Noise
p r o t e c t i n g e a r p l u g s made of cotton-wool o r polymer-foam a r e
e l s o g i v e n t o t h e mechanicans i n t h e machine-rooms.

In o r d e r t o improve c o n d i t i o n s , the mashine-room of e a c h c o l d

s t o r e i s equipped w i t h a c o n t r o l c a b i n e t where t h e n o i s e l e v e l
i e below t h e allowed 85 dB. Mechanicians can spend most of
. t h e i r time t h e r e , a s f o r s u p e r v i s i n g t h e macnines i t is n o t
n e c e s s a r y t o spend a long time in the machine-room.
 T h i s d o e s not e p p l y , however, t o t h o e e doing maintenance work
i n t h e maahine-roome: they e r e o f t e n o b l i g e d t o spend t h e whole
s h i f t i n t h e n o i s y s p a c e , ? o r t h e i r p r o t e c t i o n we s t a r t e d a
p r o g r a m i n 1980 aiming a t d e v e l o p i n g a noiee-proof c e a i n g f o r
e a c h r o t a r y compressor s o a s t o s u p p r e a e n o i a e a t i t s very
eource. Although r e s u l t s eo f a r have been e n c o u r a g i n g , t h e
p r o g r a m cannot y e t be c o n e i d e r e d a s coccpleted. I t m u s t be
mentioned, t o o , t h a t s u c h e c a s i n g i s r a t h e r expensive.

111. Measures of e o c i a l and o r g a n i z a t i o n a l c h a r a c t e r .

I I I . a . T e a c h i n g of l e b o u r s e f e t y i e c o n e i d e r e d t o be one of t h e moat
i m p o r t e n t meene t o prevent a c c i d e n t s . 30r s k i l l e d workere t h i e
teaching is carried out in three steps:

F u t u r e a k i l l e d w o r k e r s , e.g. mechanicians a r e g i v e n i n a t r u c t i o n s
on l a b o u r s a f e t y f i r s t i n t h e c o u r s e of t h e i r p r o f e e e i o n e l
t r a i n i n g . A t t h e end of t h i e they have t o go i n f o r e n exemine-
t i o n . Lebour s a f e t y i s e n i n t e g r a l p e r t of i t .
The'eecond phase of t h e t e e c h i n g is of e p r e c t i c e l c h a r a c t e r :
it aims e t g i v i n g t h e workere e n o u t l i n e of t h e circumatancee
and c o n d i t i o n a in t h e h f u t u r e workahop and making them
a c q u a i n t e d w i t h t h e r i e k s a d h e r e n t t o t h e i r f u t u r e work.

The t h i r d phaee i s a r e c u r r e n t q u a r t e r l y i n s t r u c t i o n . I t
i n c l u d e s a r e f r e s h m e n t c o u r s e end a eurvey on r e c e n t a c c i d e n t s
w i t h a moral - i f t h e r e was any - and t h e i r a n a l y e i e i n o r d e r
t o a v o i d re-occurrence. Teaching l a b o u r s a f e t y i s more o r l e e 8
t h e aeme f o r t r u c k d r i v e r a ~ t h e y , t o o , have a p r e l i m i n a r y
t e c h n i c a l t r a i n i n g topped by a n examination implying l a b o u r
safety.
The r e s t of t h e workers / u n s k i l l e d l a b o u r / i s n o t o b l i g e d t o
t h e f i r s t phase of t e a c h i n g end t o e n t e r i n g en examination.
They simply a t t e n d t h e above mentioned second pheae t e a c h i n g
b e f o r e being engaged end t h e n t h e q u a r t e r l y r e f r e s h i n g coureee. .
1II.b. Beceuae of t h e i n h e r e n t danger of ammonia i n t h e r e f r i g e ;
r a t i n g p l a n t s each cold e t o r e m u s t have an emergency-and-
r e s c u e program a t i t e d i s p o s a l . The purpose i s t o i n i t i a t e
t h e p e r a o m e l what i s t o 'be done i n a poeeible emergency case,
/e.g escape of NH w i t h o r without casualty/ and eo minimize
3'
both and m a t e r i a l damage.

1II.c. I n o r d e r t p prevent persons from being engaged i n e work where

they e r e endangered i f they a r e a e n e i t i v e t o e i t h e r n o i s e Q r
cold o r t o o r e a c t i v e or e v e n e l l e r g i c t o emmonia -
the,worltere
t o be a r e expected t o undergo a s p e c i a l medical examination.

1II.d. One of t h e p r e v a i l i n g r e g u l a t i ~ n ei n Hungary i.a t h a t women

e r e not allowed t o . b e engaged e t workplaces where "the body
i e exposed t o i n t e n s i v e cooling". It goee without saying t h a t
o u r e t o r i n g rooms end f r e e z i n g t u n n e l e belong t o t h i e category.

111.8. The workere employed i n t h e low t'emperature rooms and t u n n e l e

have a warming room a t t h e i r d i e p o e e l where they can have h o t
t e e and e e h o r t 15 m i n u t e e ' r e e t twice e day /a paid break for
health-reasone/. -
1II.f. :lorkere engaged end kept employed i n f o r work a t low tem-
p e r a t u r e a r e g r a n t e d a double alLowancer
- t h e i r working hours a r e reduced t o 4 0 , i n s t e a d of 42/we'ek.
- a f t e r each 5 y e a r period s p e n t w i t h work a t aubzero tem-
p e r a t u r e a ,they e r e e n t i t l e d t o a y e a r ' e ellowence with
regard t o the peneion. F o r example a t r u c k d r i v e r a f t e r ha.ving
epent 20 y e a r s i n t h i e f i e l d , i e a u t h o r i z e d t o r e t i r e when
he i e only 56.
R4sum6.
Lee uslneo f r i g o r i f i q u e e imposent d e s t a c h e s e p e c i a l e e du point ds
vue de l a p r o t e c t i o n du t r a v e i l , compardee eux a u t r e e ueinee i n -
d u e t r i e l l e e e t d ' i n d u e t r i e a l i m e n t a i r e s , notamment a cause de:
- l a temp6rature t a s s e provenant de l a d e s t i n a t i o n des locaux de tem-
perature. b a s e /cneubre f r o i d e : t u n n e l de c o n g e l a t i o n / ,
- l e poide e t l a forme dee a e r c h a n d i e e e e t o c k d e e ,
- l e a dangere provenant dee c a r e c t h i e t i q u e e du f l u i d e f r i g o r i g h e .
- l e b r u i t des Cquipemente employ40 dane l e e h a l l e e aun mechinee.
Le r a p p o r t t r a i t 8 dee a o l u t i o n a employiee en Hongrie pour la
n e u t r a l i e e t i o n dee souroes de dengere.
 J e a n P i e r r e AUDIFFRET
I n g E n i e u r S o c i B t 6 WANNER I S O F I I s o l a t i o n

Le rapport prEsente un procPdE de c o n s t r u c t i o n e t d ' i s o l a t i o n q u i permet

de r c a l i s e r des e n t r e p s t s incombustibles. C e t t e .technique cr&Ee .en , 9 7 1
a f a i t l ' o b j e t de t r S s noinbreuses a p p l i c a t i o n s en France e t en Europe.
Une c a r t e indique pour l a France l e u r l o c a l i s a t i o n .

Le rapport d g c r i t l e pracPd6, c o n s t i t u g d'une enceinte mgtallique Etanche

e t autoportante doublee d'une i s o l a t i o n en f i b r e de v e r r e .

Enfin, il p r e s e n t e une a p p l i c a t i o n importante de ce procede aux entrep^ots

f r i g o r i f i q u e s de l a SocigtE NORFRIGO, 5 BOULOGNE SUR MER, qui comprennent
4 chambres d'une CapacitG de 90.000 m3.
 Jean Pierre AUDIFFRET
Ingenieur Soc.ikt6 WANNER ISOFI Isolation

INTRODUCTION
a
Cet expose a pour objet la presentation d'un procede de construc-
t'ion bien connu sous le nom ISOMETAL et tout particulierement destine
* 2 la realisation d'entrepets frigorifiques incombustibles.

Aprss avoir present6 l'historique, les references et l a descrip-

tion technique de ce prockde, nous nous attacherons plus particulisre-
.merit B la presentation d'une application importante d e cette technique,
I celle-ci concernera les entrepcts frigorifiques d e la Societe NORFRIGO
B BOULOGNE.SUR.MER.

2. LE PROCEDE ISOMETAL

.............................
2.1. Historique et references

Cette technique de conception originale a 6t6 cr66e en 1971.

Depuis cette date, la Societe WANNER ISOFI Isolation, que je represente
ici, et les ETS BOUTARD, associes dans l'exploitation du procede ont
construits en EUROPE, un ensemble de 120 installations qui representent
une capacite totale de stockage voisine de 1 000 000 m3.

TABLEAU I

Repartition gkographique des installations en EUROPE

Pays Capacitg Nombre

FRANCE
ALLEMAGNE
ESPAGNE
ITALIE
BELGIQUE
REPARTITION GEOGRAPHIQUE DES IFGTALLATIONS EN FRANCE
F I G U R E No 1.

II
I S O M E T A L II
 52

FIGURE 1.

Sur cette carte figure simultan6ment les applications du proc6d6'

aux entrep6ts destines au stockage des produits surgeles, ainsi que les
chambres froides spgcialis6es dans la conser.vation des fruits en atmos-
.ph&re contr616e.

L'importance et le nombre de ces rkalisations demontrent les avan-

tages d ' u n proc6d6 dont le principe s t i n s p i r e directement de la cons-
truction des silos m6talliques tr6s largement utilis6s depuis les a n n k
SO.

Le procede ISOMETAL est constitu6 par la conjugaison d e deux compo-

sants parfaitement compl6mentaires et intggres, c'est-&-dire :

- une enceinte m6tallique etanche et auto-portante,

- une isolation incombustible appliquee sur les parois de cette
enceinte,

Cette enceinte est compos6e d 1 6 1 6 m e n t s prefabriquks en t61e d'acig.

auto-patinable & haute limite 6lastique d'une epaisseur de 2mm. Ces
616ments se presentent sous forme d e panneaux nervur6s obtenus par pli-
ages successifs & 135OC. Les nervures trap6zoidales ainsi form6es don-
nent une tr6s grande
- rigi-dit6 aux elements dont les dimensions couran-
tes sont : longueur : 5.00m hauteur 2.40m.

CROQUIS 1.

Dessin d ' u n panneau

 Sur le lieu de montage; ces panneaux sont assembles par soudure
Clectrique sur une structure m6:talliqu.e de poteaux. et de poutres dis-
pos6s B lqext6rieur de l'enceinte.

A cet effet, les panneaux des parois verticales de llence.inte

comportpnt B leurs extr6mitCs des plats soudes en usine qui obturent
les nervures. Ce dispositif simplifie llintkgration des 'panneaux ner-
vur6s sur les poteaux, tout en reduisant la section de ces derniers et
en supprimant les ossatures secondaires habituellement ndcessaires sur
les structures classiques. (lisses et contreventement).

troquis 3 troquis Z

La toiture de l'enceinte est r6alisCe avec les m8mes 616ments

nervures qui sont dans ce cas suspendus sous un dispositif classique,
comprenant des poutres principales (ferme e n treillis tubulaire ou por-
tique h ime pleine) gengralement espacCes de 1 0 m et des poutres trans-
versales gCn6ralement tous les 5' m.

La toiture ainsi compos6e comprend une ou deux pentes de 3 , 5 % de-

terminee en fonction de la surface du bstiment, les nervures de la toi-
ture sont bien entendu disposees dans le sens de 1'Ccoulement des eaux
pluviales et ces dernieres sont r6cuper6es et Cvacuees en bas de pente
dans des chsneaux int6gres aux parois.

Toutes les parties de la structure et de l'enceinte sont accessi-

bles (absence d'entre-fers) et leur protection contre la corrosion est
assurge par l a nature et la qualit6 de l t a c i e r utilise. Seules les par-
ties visibles ou exposees Bl'ensoleillement reGoivent une peinture de
teinte claire afin de limiter l'absorption du flux solaire.
 Ce, systeme de construction industrialiskqui met en oeuvre des
616ments intkgralement prefabriques permet la rhalisation de bgtiment
de tres grandes dimensions dont les parois tres robustes et tres 6tan-
ches B la vapeur d'eau conviennent tout particulierement aux e.ntre.p$ts
frigorifiques.

..............................
2.3. L'isolation incombustible

Le comportement au feu d'une paroi fortement isolee entre deux

revstements m6talliques de faible 6paisseur d6pend essentiellement de
la r6action au feu de l ' g m e isolante.

Le choix des matkriaux isolants incombustibles (selon le classe-

ment ---
M o des normes fransaises) est actuellement trbs restreint puisque
seuls les isolants d'origine min6rale repondent B ce critere (fibres
de verre et de roche, verre cellulaire).

La fibre de verre a 6t6 retenue pour constituer l'isolation de

l'enceinte m6tallique B la suite de la prise en compte des critbres
suivants :

- grande efficacit6 de la barrigre pare-vapeur,

- insensibilitk aux variations de tempkratures,
- stabilite dimensionnelle,
- stabilite physico-chimique,
- flexibilit6 pour l'absorption des 16g6res deformations ou
mouvements de l'enceinte,
- facilit6 de mise en oeuvre,
- prix interessant,
- incombustibilit6,

L'isolation en fibre de verre se pr6sente sous la forme de pan-

neaux semi-rigides d'une masse volumique de 22 kg/m3 et de dimensions
6gales B 2.40m x 1.20m, des 616ments en fibre d e verre sont dCcoup6s
selon le profil des nervures de l'enceinte et sont appliqu6s dans les
creux form6s par celles-ci. L'isolation comprend ensuite 2 ou 3 couches
de panneaux avec croisement et compression des joints.

Cette isolation est revGtue intgrieurement par un bardage g6n6-

ralement en acier galvanis6. Un dispositif de profils sp6ciaux relies
aux parois de l'enceinte par lfinterm6diaire de supports isothermes,
assure la fixation des panneaux isolant en empechant toute possibilit6
de glissement ou tassement.

La mise en oeuvre de l'isolation s'effectue ainsi rapidement et

simplement sans aucun produit de collage.

Les 6paisseurs de fibre de verre habituellement appliqu6es sont

les suivantes :

- pour les chambres B O°C : 180 B 2 2 0 m m

- pour les chambres B -30°C 280 B 340mm
 troquis 4

Bordoge

Profil

Dist o n c ~ u r

troquis 5
 3. LES ENTREPOTS FRIGORIFIQUES NORFRIGO A BOULOGNE/MER.

Le 28 D6cembre ,1967 la Societ6 NORFRIGO 6tait victime d'un incen-

die qui detruisait un entrepSt de 1 2 000 m3 alors en cours de construc-
tion. Le montant de ce sinistre repr6sentait B l f 6 p o q u e une somme de :
4 , 5 millions de francs.

Les~'responsab1esde cette Soci6t6 d6cidaient alors la reoncstruc-

tion de l 8 e n t r e p 6 t en fixant au premier plan de son programme, le souci
*
d'une protection et d l u n e s6curite efficaces contre les risques d l i n -
cendie.
#
La Soci6t6 NORFRIGO imposait ainsi dans le cahier des charges de
'son projet une construction incombustible et choisissait la technique,
toute nouvelle B 1 1 6 p o q u e , de l'enceinte mgtallique 6tanche isol6e en
fibre de verre.

En 1971, convaincue des avantages de ce nouveau procCd6 qui repon-

dait bien B ses pr6occupations, la Soci6t6 NORFRIGO devenait pour la
p,remi8re fois le promoteur d'une technique jusqu'alors inappliqu6e dans
1$ domaine frigorifique.

I1 faut reconnaitre ici les merites d ' u n choix bien mesur6 qui
al.lait trouver sa justification dans la reussite du projet.

A BOULOGNE SUR MER, les nouveaux entrepSts frigorifiques NORFRIGO

sont implant6s en bordure de quai du bassin LOUBET. 11s comprennent un
ensemble de 4 tranches, trois en exploitation et unez en cours de r6ali-
sation, qui reprgsentent un volume d e stockage de 9 0 000 m3 B la temp6-
rature de - 30°C.

NORFRIGO 2 20 000 m3
NORFRIGO 2 BIS 20 000 m3
NORFRIGO 3 22 000 m3
NORFRIGO 5 28 000 m3

Les 4 chambres de stockage sont compl6t6es et s.6par6es par des

bstiments annexes regroupant les halls de manutention, sas, bureaux,
locaux sanitaires et locaux techniques.

La surface totale des constructions est egale B 1 3 000 m2 dont

9 500 m2 pour la zone de stockage frigorifiqus B -
30°C et 3 500 m2
pour les bgtiments annexes.

Les chambres 2, 2 BIS et 5 sont implant6es en ligne sur le quai

Sud du bassin LOUBET. La chambre 5 d6tach6e des precedentes est implan-
#
t6e B l l O u e s t du bassin.

La conception gdn4rale de ces 4 chambres est identique et tous les

bstiments sont construits en ISOMETAL. Les produits surgelCs sont stoc-
k6s sur 4 niveaux de convertisseur, B raison de 4500 con-ur
dans chacune des chambres 2 , 2 bis, et 3 sur palettier fixe B 6 niveaux
dans la chambre 5. L'ensemble des 4 chambres offre une capacit6 de stoc-
kage de 17 200 convertisseurs.

Une s6rie d16quipements et dispositifs de protection et detection

incendie sont install6s B l'interieur des bstiments. 11s renforcent et
complstent la sCcurit6 d6jB apportee par l'incombustibilit6 des cons*.=
tions :
-------------
Mur coupe-f eu

Un mur coupe-feu separe les chambres 2 et 2 bis. Les deux communi-

cations creees dans ce mur entre les deux chambres sont dquipees de
portes coupe-feu.

..............................................
Protection incendie par extincteur automatique

Les chambres 2 bis, 3 et 5 , ainsi que leurs bPtiments annexes sont

protCg6s par des installations d'extinction automatique SPRINKLER. Ces
installations sont strictement conformes aux prescriptions de 1'APSAI
(rsgle R 1). Les installations raccordCes au rCseau d'eau de la ville
peuvent dCbiter chacune 3 800 lit/minute. Le debit disponible sur le
rCseau Ctant insuffisant, chaque installation comporte un reservoir
d'appoint de 120 m3 pour assurer le debit d'eau necessaire.

Le rCseau est charge avec un melange anti-gel comprenant 50% de

GLYCOL. Les e e s SPRINKLER sont disposees selon un espacement d'environ

Ces detecteurs B chambre ionisee aliment6s sous basse tension

equipent les chambres 3 et 5. Au nombre de 3 5 par chambre, ils sont
places au plafond dan s les allees de circulation et i l ' a s ~ i r a t i o nd e s
batteries, ils sont connectes avec le circuit de ventilation et coupent
celui-ci en cas d'alarme.

Ces dgtecteurs trss sensibles peuvent ttre dCclenchCs accidentelle-

ment par les brouillards de vapeur d'eau emis B la fin des cycles de
degivrage.

---------
Fumiddmes

Ces exutoires destinCs B l'evacuation des fumCes sont places dans

les toitures des halls de manutention. Leur ouverture est dCclench6e
par des fusibles.

..........................................
Isolation incombustible sur les tuyauteries

Sur une longueur de lm, les passages de tuyauteries isolees au tra-

vers des parois sont isoles en verre cellulaire.

---------------
Extincteur et RIA

Enfin, un service de gardiennage assure la sdcuritd ghnerale en

dehors des heures de trafic.

----------
CONCLUSION

I1 existe au jourd'hui des procedes et des techniques fiables pour

protCger efficacement les entrepdts frigorifiques contre les risques
d'incendie. Les nouveaux entrepdts frigorifiques de NORFRIGO en appor-
tent la d6monstration.

Souhaitons que cet exemple inspire des initiatives comparables,

alors qu'aujourd'hui l'augmentation de la taille des entrepdts entraine
simultan6ment une aggravation des risques et du coat des assurances
incendie.
 APPENDIX 3

Foamed P l a s t i c I n s u l a t i o n R e g u l a t i ' o n s - C u r r e n t U.K. situation

Protest foamed tics inslalants
against e Mrs B F w Rogowski 13sc

Foamed plastics are being increasingly protect foamed plastics insulants; assessing the effectiveness of these
used as thermal insulation for the these m u s t have a 1 5 - m i n 'fire resis- coatings have yet t o be devised.
shells of buildings, applied either in- tance', ie they must continue t o main-
ternally or externally. They can be fixed tain their stability, integrity and insu- The tests for internal linings of BS
in board form or sprayed o n in siru, a lation for this period when exposed t o 476:Part 7 (Surface spread of flame)
method particularly useful for existing fully-developed fire conditions similar and Part 6 lFire propagation) were
structures. Usually some form o f sur- t o those specified in BS 476:Part 8. originally designed for checking the
face coating is applied t o provide Materials suitable t o providc! this 'ther. p c r f o r r n a ~ ~ c eof 'traditional' linings
resistance to weathering and impact, ma1 barrier' include 1 2 ninl plaster such as cellulosic boards and may not
and t o ensure that the insulation does board or non-comhustit~le insulation be adequate for assessing lightweight
not result in an increased rate o f fire board. Such protectmn may be costly, plastics insulants protected b y pro-
growth. The purpose of this article is and fitting, particularly over sprayed prietary coatings. The rate o f heat
t o inform installers and customers of insulation, can be difficult. A n alterna- transfer in the tests ( 4 ~ l c m ' )is
the possible fire hazard o f this type of tive which should generally be satis- relatively low compared with that which
insulation if it is not suitably protected, factory from a fire poirit of view is the may be encountered in localised fires
t o stress the need for appropriate use of a composite boardiloam, where ( 1 5 ~ l c m and ~ lafter penetration of
finishes t o be developed, and t o outline the protective membrane will be of a the coating, heat release from tho
work in progress on the problem at FRS. thickness t o provide the requisite pro. foamed insulation may exceed that o f
tection. the test conditions. Moreover, the tests
External application of foamed plastics are n o t designed t o assess the mecha-
insulants will generally result in a less Proprietary coatings are bomg deve- nical pefformance of the protective
acute fire problem than internal appli- loped in the US and the UK which ex- facing: small specimens, exposed pri-
cation; w i t h the possible exception of hibit the required performance charac- marily to radiant heat alone, fail t o de-
tall buildings, and depending on the teristics whilst not actually meeting velop the stresses typical o l those likely
type of construction t o which it is ap- the requirements of a 'thermal harrier'. to be found in prsctice. Added t o this
plied, i t will have little influence o n life Their advantages should include is the ini!)ossibility of reproducing in
hazard. Nevertheless, care must ob- economy in basic cost and ease of ap. rest conditions the thermoplastic be-
viously be taken t o avoid the risk of plication, although care milst be taken haviour of many foamed insulants.
unrestricted fire spread. Application o f t o ensure their fire behaviour is not u n -
irisulation t o the interior of a building acceptably inferior t o that o f the 'ther- Thus, as a check o n the performance
poses worse fire problems, partly due m a l barrier'. However, mclliod:; of of foams a18d protective coatings i t i s D
t o the conservation of heat within the
enclosure, b u t principally because
'flanies having h ~ g rates
h o f heat trans-
fer impinge on the ceiling:roof surface
and cause a sudden increase in radia-
tion intensity. This results in a rapidly
developing flame plurnr? spreading
horizontally.
Traditional i n s ~ ~ l a t i nmalerials,
g usually
of a cellulosic base, ignite and spread
flame when exposed t o a localised high
intensity fire source; protective coat-
ings can be applied w h i c h will ensure
that the extent of spread is restricted
t o acceptable limits. Curtain foamed
plastics insulants, however, once ig-
nited burn w i t h considerably greater
intensity than cellulosic products and
consequently require a superior pro-
tective membrane t o resist progressive
destruction and to limit the extent of
spread. Such a finish m u s t either re-
strict the f l o w of heat t o the underly-
ing foam, limit the air supply t o the Fire performance of
decomposition zone or prevent the prorected foatned
rapid emission of flammable volatiles. plastics insulation
belrly teslcd at the
In the United States. Model Building FRS feciliry ar
Codes usually require r y~.! facings t o Card~ngtorr

Test walls uf different consrructions end up to 2 ! 5 m square can be studied in these
tour separarely-controlled cliniatic chambers
Testing performance
of external wallls
New climatic chambers are available
at PRL for studying the effects on ex-
ternal walls of the moisture generated
within buildings. There are four sets of
double chambers, each w i t h separate
humidity and temperature control to
allow simultaneous tests w i t h four dif-
ferent climatic regimes on walls of
similar construction. Steady or cyclic
climates can bc produced. The first
experiment will examine timber-
framed walls, as described in lnforn~a-
I P a I 1 !8 1 (see page 1 51. Fur.
ther work envisaged will involve steel-
framed walls, curtain walling suitable
for n~ulti-storeyoflice buildir,gs, and
possibly insulated profile sheet walls,
mainly applicable to indtrstrial build-
inys. It is antic~patedthat there may
be spare capacity in the future for
assessment of walls on a repayment
basis.
Also discussed in the IP is the impor-
continued from previous page
sometimes necessary to have recourse
t o large-scale ad-hoc experiments (see
photograph). The configuration most
frequently used is that of a corner of a
building including wall and ceiling lin-
ings up t o 7.5 m high. Other configura-
tions use constructions on a scale
typical of domestic or small industrial
enclosures. Such tests are obviously
expensive, and an equivalent tesk on a
reduced scale is urgently needed.
tance of providing a vapour check on
the indoor side of a timber-framed
wall, and the difficulties of ensuri,:g
that such a check exists within a waii.
When aluminium foil-backed plaster-
board is specified, it is difficult for the
building supervisor t o know, after i r i -
stallation, whether the board used was
in fact foil-backed. Simple cheap metal
detectors, developed for locating metal
objects within walls and floors, have
proved suitable for doing this. A detec-
tor tested at PRL can locate missing
areas of foil as small as 1 2 0 mm2. It
works off a 9-volt battery and when
scanned over the inside surface of a
wall, i t will continuously light a pilot
l a n ~ pin the presence of foil; pipes,
wires, nails or other metal objects will
result in the lamp lighting briefly, as the
detector passes over the object. Any
substitution of plain plasterboald can
thus easily be discovered.
Work is in hand at FRS t o devise such
a test and the Station welcomes the
collaboration of manufacturers in work
which should help in the development
of effective protective finishes. In the
meantime, it is important that install-
ers follow the recommendations in
Codes of Practice, and seek the advice
of the insltlation manufacturers. e
Electric heat pumps provide one of the
options for reducing the energy cost
of domestic heating, particularly for
housing w i t h access to only the more
expensive fuels. Heat pumps are ex-
pensive and when evaluating their cost
effectiveness it is critical t o know their
likely performance in use. A unique
testing chamber which will enable ac-
curate performance figures t o be ob-
tained for electric heat pumps has
been built at Garston, and is n o w
available for hire by manufacturers.
BRE has carried out a considerable
programme of research on heat pumps
and has incorporated heat pump tech-
nology in its experimental low-energy
house laboratories. Trials in which the
observed field performance of heat
pumps differed markedly from manu-
facturer's perfwmance curves led t o
the construction of a test chamber t o
enable the field performance of heat
pumps t o be predicted. Tests on a
single-room heat pump, carried out by
BRE under contract to the EEC, showed
good agreement between the results
obtained in the test chamber and in
field trials in housing.
The new BRE heat pump test chamber
is designed specifically for electric
heat pumps extracting heat from out-
door air and delivering it t o water flow-
ing, for example, in a conventional hot
water radiator system. The heat pump
is enclosed inside'a thermally insulated
chamber whose temperature and
humidity are closely controlled. The
heat pump is operated so that it ex-
tracts heat from the chamber and de-
livers it t o a water supply of controlled
temperature T'w t?lecric power con-
sumption o' * b c - 'beat P U I ~ ?and the
heat t r a n s f e r r ~ dto the water are mea-
sured t o a hiutb precision. The chamber
is able t o accommodate heat pumps
rated t o extract up t o 1 5 k W from air
at temperatures d o w n t o - 5OC. To
investigate frosting performance
which, it is n o w recognised, can sig-
nificantly downgrade the seasonal
performance of such heat pumps, the
test chamber can be operated w i t h re-
lative humidities of up t o 8 0 per cent.
Further information a b c * ~the
t hire of
the test chamber can be obtained from
Dr David Fisk, Head of Mechanical and
Electrical Engineering Division, at BRE.
0
- - - - - --
For up-to-date information about all
BRE publications. send for a copy of
the Information Directory 1980 and
Information Peper 3 1180. using the
Reader Reply Card w i t h :his issue.
 -
I Series
BO6O 83 -
Fire protection and oold storage.
GPYI -

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SERIES
 BUILDING RESEARCH ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND INC.
HEAD OF FlCE AND LIBRARY, MOONSHINE ROAD, JUDGEFORD.

The Building Research Association of New Zealand is

an industry-backed, independent research and testing
organisation set up to acquire, apply and distribute
knowledge about building which will benefit the
industry and through it the community a t large.