{"id":15724,"date":"2026-05-02T16:04:20","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T14:04:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/almacon.nl\/sprinkler-floor-as-a-smart-solution-for-fire-safety-in-a-tall-distribution-center\/"},"modified":"2026-05-03T15:43:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-03T13:43:22","slug":"load-bearing-sprinkler-structure-as-a-smart-solution-for-fire-safety-in-a-tall-distribution-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/almacon.nl\/en\/load-bearing-sprinkler-structure-as-a-smart-solution-for-fire-safety-in-a-tall-distribution-center\/","title":{"rendered":"Load-bearing sprinkler structure as a smart solution for fire safety in a tall distribution center"},"content":{"rendered":"

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In a modern distribution center, everything revolves around efficiency, flexibility, and safety. But what if the building\u2019s height itself poses a fire safety issue? This was precisely the challenge facing one of Almacon\u2019s clients. The distance between the roof and the stored goods was too great to comply with applicable sprinkler standards. This called for a smart, innovative, custom solution that complied with all laws and regulations.<\/p>\n

The project<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The request came from a specialist in warehouse racking and automated storage systems. The end customer had built a distribution center that is flexibly leased to various users, each with their own type of storage.<\/p>\n

With a building height of approximately twelve meters, a problem arose: a sprinkler system on the roof was too far from the goods. As a result, the building did not meet fire safety requirements. At the same time, sufficient floor space had to remain available for the storage of loose pallets and logistics operations.<\/p>\n

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The question was clear: how do you bring the sprinklers closer to the storage area without sacrificing flexibility and storage space?<\/strong><\/em><\/h4><\/div><\/div>\n

Solution: a smart load-bearing sprinkler structure<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The solution lay in a specially designed, lowered structure: a load-bearing sprinkler structure. This is a lightweight, non-walkable custom-built support structure to which the sprinkler system is attached.<\/p>\n

By placing this structure between the roof and the storage area, the sprinklers are positioned at the correct height. This ensures compliance with applicable fire safety requirements, while the entire space beneath the structure remains available for storage and logistics operations.<\/p>\n

The structure consists of:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • columns and a beam structure<\/li>\n
  • a corrugated steel sheet on top<\/li>\n
  • sprinkler pipes, attached to the underside of the floor<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    The design was based on a number of key principles:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • a lightweight construction<\/li>\n
    • large spans for maximum use of space<\/li>\n
    • an unscored version<\/li>\n
    • preserving as much floor space as possible<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Thanks to the large spans and the unsupported design, the space beneath the structure remains fully available for storage and logistics operations. This solution thus makes it possible to utilize the full height of the distribution center for storage without compromising fire safety.<\/p>\n\n\t\t