Topic: Automatic Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS) offer significant efficiency and space optimization benefits for warehouses, but they also introduce unique fire hazards and challenges. The high density storage arrangement of goods can facilitate rapid fire spread, making early detection and suppression critical. Goods are often stored in open-top plastic containers which poses a challenge due to the high heat release rate fire produced and collection of water in the containers which prevents water from reaching the seat of the fire. Firefighters face challenges due to the complex layout and high storage heights of ASRS facilities. Effective pre-incident planning and coordination with property owners are crucial. By addressing these hazards and challenges, ASRS facilities can better manage fire risks and ensure safer operations. During this lunch training, Wes will discuss the following:
Definition/types of ASRS
Fire Hazards and Mitigation Strategies
Research conducted by FM
Overview and latest updates to FM Property Loss Prevention Data Sheet 8-34, Protection for Automatic Storage and Retrieval Systems
Bio:
Weston C. Baker, Jr.
Staff VP, Senior Engineering Technical Specialist
Chief Engineer’s Group, FM
Wes Baker is a Senior Engineering Technical Specialist in the Chief Engineers Group at FM. He is a member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers and an NFPA member serving on both the NFPA 13 Installation and NFPA 13 Discharge committees. He has been with FM for 40 years and is currently responsible for data sheets related to the protection of storage, as well as the installation guidelines for sprinklers that are used for storage protection.
Mr. Baker was named the 2011 William M. Carey award recipient by the Fire Protection Research Foundation, an affiliate of the NFPA, for his technical paper, “Storage Sprinkler Design Criteria” – the concept behind the 2010 release of FM’s Property Loss Prevention Data Sheet 8-9, Storage of Class 1, 2, 3, 4 and Plastic Commodities. Mr. Baker also received a Special Achievement Award from NFPA in 2015 for the contributions he provided on updating the 2016 Edition of NFPA 13 regarding guidelines for commodity classification. Mr. Baker also received a Committee Service award from NFPA in 2024 for his participation in and contributions to NFPA 13 over the past three decades.
Lunch is served at 11:30 AM. All Attendees should register using a Single Meeting Pass ($25) or the One Pass Meeting Registration Button ($0) registration button so we buy the right amount of food. We hope to see you there!