Robotic warehouses save companies time and money, but this advanced level of technology comes with its own new set of risks, especially when it comes to fire.

With robotics, fire risks are increased by simple warehouse storage practices, whether it be overpacking the facility, stacking products too high, and using flammable plastic containers that can trap water emitted by fire sprinklers.

Commercial and industrial property insurer FM Global has brought attention to these safety concerns, outlining fire-protection guidelines for clients using automatic storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) as a growing number of companies automate their warehouses.

Storage design and fire protection systems

Their guidelines include provisions for sprinkler arrangement, independence of in-rack and ceiling sprinkler systems, container design, and racking structure to help risk managers and warehouse managers make safer decisions.

In a statement, Brion Callori, senior vice president and manager, engineering and research at FM Global said these guidelines are intended to answer the vexing questions risk managers and warehouse managers are struggling with around fire protection in ASRS settings.

"Careful design and configuration can help companies quickly suppress fires and stay in business," Callori added. "The goal is to let robots, which in science fiction always seem to run amok, deliver the quiet efficiency they promise in the real world."

The new guidelines constitute FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheet 8-34, Protection for Automatic Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS), and are available on their website, along with all of FM Global's data sheets.

Special Reports /

Protecting a robotic warehouse: Fire safety guidelines from FM Global

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