Victaulic has introduced a new line of dry sprinklers offering CE-marked options for cold storage units, making it one of the few providers in the fire protection industry with such certifications.
The Series FL-SR/DRY V3613 and V3615 standard response, alongside the Series FL-QR/DRY V3614 and V3616 quick response dry sprinklers, cater to chiller units up to 6.1 meters in height. They are designed to comply with the EN12259-1 harmonized standard for cold storage sprinklers.
Innovations in Cold Storage Fire Safety
Pairing the new V36 sprinkler range with Victaulic’s AB6 bracket and VicFlex™ flexible hoses provides an easy-installation
Pairing the new V36 sprinkler range with Victaulic’s AB6 bracket and VicFlex™ flexible hoses provides an easy-installation solution that enhances long-term performance and reliability.
"Fire protection in cold storage comes with its specific challenges and risks, like maintaining thermal integrity, ice and frost accumulation, and maintainability," stated Graeme Leonard, EMEA Fire Protection Division Manager at Victaulic.
He adds, "We're thrilled to introduce the V36 dry sprinkler range, which not only meets rigorous CE standards, but together with our AB6 bracket and VicFlex hoses solves those specific challenges faced by the food and drink, logistics, and pharmaceutical sectors."
Cost-Effective and Efficient Installation
The emphasis on constructability and labor savings is central to Victaulic's design philosophy. Given that labor can account for approximately 60% of fire protection installation costs, Victaulic’s solutions help alleviate these expenses.
A single person can install a complete Victaulic cold storage assembly, including the dry sprinkler head, AB6 bracket, and VicFlex hose, within 15 minutes, which is significantly faster compared to other systems that require two hours and two personnel.
The VicFlex hoses’ flexibility further eliminates the need for custom fixed piping, allowing for quick on-site adjustments with minimal waste. This complete assembly is conveniently ordered under a single SKU.
Innovative Features for Enhanced Reliability
The bracket’s design accommodates various wall thicknesses, ceiling heights, and surface types
Victaulic’s AB6 bracket plays a crucial role in maintaining seal integrity. It absorbs vibrations from refrigeration or freezer units and routine maintenance on the chiller unit's roof, preventing seal weakening that could lead to condensation and ice build-up, potentially compromising sprinkler performance.
The bracket’s design accommodates various wall thicknesses, ceiling heights, and surface types, such as corrugated or dimpled surfaces, ensuring adaptability and reliability.
Comprehensive Fire Protection Solutions
The introduction of the V36 sprinkler range complements Victaulic’s existing solutions for cold storage facilities. The AB6 assembly paired with V36 sprinklers is suitable for freezer cells up to 6.1 meters. For taller freezer units, up to 9.1 meters, Victaulic offers the AB6 assembly with Series FL-QR/DRY/ST K11.2 V4001 pendent and V4002 recessed pendent quick response dry sprinklers.
In May 2024, Victaulic expanded its offerings for larger storage units up to 12.2 meters with the Series FL-QR/DRY/ESFR K16.8 V4102 dry sprinkler and AB6 assembly, voluntarily CE-marked under EOTA protocols. Additionally, the Series FL-SR/ST/CMSA Storage, Standard Response CMSA Upright Sprinklers K25.2 V4603 caters to cold storage units with heights of up to 13.7 meters.
Victaulic caters to specific fire protection challenges
Victaulic continues to lead by addressing the specific fire protection challenges encountered in the cold storage sector. Its proactive solutions align with industry developments, supporting facilities as they face increasing demands due to the rise in online grocery shopping.
As a member of the Cold Chain Federation in the UK and the Global Cold Chain Alliance, Victaulic remains engaged in offering reliable fire protection solutions tailored to the diverse scales and complexities of cold storage facilities.
With the launch of the new Series FL-SR/DRY V3613 and V3615 standard response and Series FL-QR/DRY V3614 and V3616 quick response dry sprinkler range, Victaulic becomes one of the only fire protection solutions providers to offer a CE-marked option for cold storage units.
The V36 range comes in pendent or recessed pendent varieties and includes various K-factors and temperature ranges for chiller units up to 6.1 m in height and has been designed specifically to meet the requirements of the EN12259-1 harmonized standard for sprinklers in cold storage.
Victaulic’s other innovations
When paired with Victaulic’s other innovations, the AB6 bracket and VicFlex™ flexible hoses, the complete solution brings added benefits of easy installation and long-term performance and reliability.
Graeme Leonard, EMEA Fire Protection Division Manager at Victaulic, said, "Fire protection in cold storage comes with its specific challenges and risks, like maintaining thermal integrity, ice and frost accumulation and maintainability."
He adds, "We’re thrilled to introduce the V36 dry sprinkler range, which not only meets rigorous CE standards, but together with our AB6 bracket and VicFlex hoses solves those specific challenges faced by the food and drink, logistics and pharmaceutical sectors."
Quick and low-cost installation
Constructability and labor savings are central to the Victaulic design approach. With approximately 60% of fire protection installation costs attributed to labor, Victaulic solutions significantly reduce this burden.
A complete Victaulic cold storage assembly – consisting of a dry sprinkler head, AB6 bracket, and VicFlex hose can be installed by one person in just 15 minutes, compared to the two hours and two people required by alternative systems.
Furthermore, the flexible VicFlex hoses eliminate the need for made-to-order fixed piping, which makes it quick and easy to make on-site adjustments, if required, with no waste. An additional advantage is that the entire assembly can be ordered with just one single SKU.
Reliability through innovation
Victaulic’s innovative AB6 bracket, meanwhile, ensures that the seal integrity remains intact. It absorbs vibrations caused by refrigeration or freezer units, or maintenance activity on the chiller unit’s roof that could weaken the seal over time leading to condensation and ice formation that could compromise sprinkler performance.
This adjustable bracket is compatible with various wall thicknesses, ceiling heights, and surface types – including corrugated or dimpled surfaces – offering unparalleled flexibility and reliability.
Victaulic’s commitment to cold storage fire protection
The new V36 sprinkler range complements Victaulic’s already comprehensive range for cold storage. The AB6 assembly with V36 range can be used for freezer cells up to 6.1 m.
For freezer cells with a height of 9.1 m, Victaulic offers the AB6 assembly with Series FL-QR/DRY/ST K11.2 V4001 pendent and V4002 recessed pendent quick response dry sprinklers, which aren’t subject to CE marking requirements.
In May 2024, Victaulic added the Series FL-QR/DRY/ESFR K16.8 V4102 dry sprinkler, with AB6 assembly, for larger storage units up to 12.2 m. There is no mandatory CE requirement for dry sprinklers of this K-factor, but they are voluntarily CE-marked under an EOTA (European Organization for Technical Assessment) protocol.
Series FL-SR/ST/CMSA Storage
The Series FL-SR/ST/CMSA Storage, Standard Response CMSA Upright Sprinklers K25.2 V4603, which falls outside the scope of the CE marking standard, brings the range to completion and is suitable for cold storage units with a height of 13.7 m.
This reflects Victaulic’s proactive role in meeting evolving industry needs as cold storage facilities are built ever higher to cope with increasing online grocery shopping demands.
As an active member of both the Cold Chain Federation in the UK and the Global Cold Chain Alliance, Victaulic continues to support and engage with the cold storage industry’s unique fire protection challenges, providing reliable solutions for every scale of cold storage facility.
