A Study on the Operational Characteristics and Adaptability of Sprinkler Systems in Frozen Warehouses

doi:10.15683/kosdi.2025.3.31.300

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2025 Vol.21, Issue 1 Preview Page Next Page

Original Article

A Study on the Operational Characteristics and Adaptability of Sprinkler Systems in Frozen Warehouses 냉장·냉동 창고 내 스프링클러설비의 작동 특성 및 적응성 분석에 관한 연구: 이종규¹ㆍ민세홍²*
JongGyu Lee¹, SeHong Min²*; ¹Master Course, Department of HVAC & Firefighting Engineering, Gachon University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
²Professor, Department of HVAC & Firefighting Engineering, Gachon University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea

31 March 2025. pp. 300-309

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Abstract

Purpose: Fires in refrigerated and frozen warehouses occur consistently every year, yet sprinkler heads are excluded from installation requirements due to the risk of freezing, creating vulnerabilities in fire response capabilities. This study aims to enhance the fire safety of refrigerated and frozen warehouses by selecting sprinkler systems as the primary fire response facility and evaluating their performance to strengthen fire prevention and suppression capabilities. Method: Considering the unique environmental conditions of refrigerated and frozen warehouses, three scenarios were developed and tested. Result: It was observed that if firefighting water is not discharged within 15 minutes, freezing could impair the system's performance. Condensation and moisture accumulation were also identified at pipe penetrations and inside clappers. Quick-response (QR) sprinkler heads were shown to be more effective in early fire suppression compared to standard-response (SR) heads. Conclusion: To enhance the fire safety of refrigerated and frozen warehouses, this study proposes the implementation of double-interlock sprinkler systems, the use of segmented piping to mitigate freezing risks, and the adoption of quick-response sprinkler heads as practical performance improvement measures.

Keywords

Frozen Warehouse

Sprinkler System

Condensate

Condensation

Sprinkler Head Activation Time

연구목적: 냉장·냉동 창고에서의 화재는 매년 지속 발생하며, 동결 위험으로 인해 스프링클러 헤드가 설치 제외 대상으로 규정되어 화재 대응에 취약점을 안고 있다. 본 연구는 냉장·냉동 창고의 화재 안전성을 향상시키기 위해 스프링클러 설비를 주요 화재 대응 시설로 선정하고, 설비의 성능을 평가하여 화재 예방 및 진압 능력을 강화하고자 한다. 연구방법: 냉장·냉동 창고의 특수 환경을 고려하여 세 가지 시나리오를 구성하고 실험을 수행하였다. 연구결과: 배관 내 소화수가 15분 이내에 방출되지 않을 경우, 동결로 인해 설비 성능이 저하될 가능성이 있는 것으로 확인되었고, 배관 관통부와 클래퍼 내부에서 결빙 및 응축수가 발생함이 관찰되었다. 조기반응형 헤드는 표준형 헤드보다 화재 초기 대응에 효과적임이 입증되었다. 결론: 냉장·냉동 창고의 화재 안전성을 강화하기 위해 저온 특성을 반영한 더블 인터락 스프링클러 설비, 분리형 배관 사용, 조기반응형 헤드의 도입 등 성능 확보 방안을 제시하였다.

키워드

냉장·냉동 창고

스프링클러 설비

응축수

결로

헤드 작동 시간

References

An, B.K., Kim, W.H., Yang, S.J., Ham, E.G. (2020). "A study on the improvement of field activity for firemen in sandwich panel warehouse." Journal of the Society of Disaster Information, Vol. 16, No. 3, pp. 421-429.
Jung, T.H., Park, S.H., Kim, H.K. (2008). "A study on enhancing institutionalization on the fire analysis of the warehouse at Icheon City." Proceedings of 2008 Spring Annual Conference of the Korean Institue of Fire Science and Engineering, pp. 80-84.
Kim, M.S., Lee, S.B., Min, S.H. (2023). "A study on the adaptability of oxygen reduction system to fire in cold storage through fire simulation analysis." Journal of the Korea Society of Disaster Information, Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 117-127.
Lee, S.B., Kim, M.S., Min, S.H. (2023). "A study on the comparison of aspirating smoke detector and general smoke detector detection time according to the fire speed and location of logistics warehouse through FDS." Journal of the Korea Society of Disaster Information, Vol. 19, No. 3, pp. 609-623.
National Fire Data System (NFDS) (2017-2023). https://www.nfds.go.kr/.
National Fire Technical Code (NFTC 103). (2023). Technical Standard for Fire Safety of Sprinkler Systems. National Fire Agency, Sejong.
National Logistics Information Center (NLIC). (2020-2024). https://www.nlic.go.kr/nlic/parcelServiceLogistics.action.
NFPA 13 (2022). Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, National Fire Protection Association, Quincy. MA, US.
Quintiere, J. G. (2006). Principles of Fire Behavior (2nd ed.). CRC Press, New York, US.

Information

Publisher :The Korean Society of Disaster Information
Publisher(Ko) :한국재난정보학회
Journal Title :Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
Journal Title(Ko) :한국재난정보학회논문집
Volume : 21
No :1
Pages :300-309
DOI :https://doi.org/10.15683/kosdi.2025.3.31.300

[1] An, B.K., Kim, W.H., Yang, S.J., Ham, E.G. (2020). "A study on the improvement of field activity for firemen in sandwich panel warehouse." Journal of the Society of Disaster Information, Vol. 16, No. 3, pp. 421-429.

[2] Jung, T.H., Park, S.H., Kim, H.K. (2008). "A study on enhancing institutionalization on the fire analysis of the warehouse at Icheon City." Proceedings of 2008 Spring Annual Conference of the Korean Institue of Fire Science and Engineering, pp. 80-84.

[3] Kim, M.S., Lee, S.B., Min, S.H. (2023). "A study on the adaptability of oxygen reduction system to fire in cold storage through fire simulation analysis." Journal of the Korea Society of Disaster Information, Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 117-127.

[4] Lee, S.B., Kim, M.S., Min, S.H. (2023). "A study on the comparison of aspirating smoke detector and general smoke detector detection time according to the fire speed and location of logistics warehouse through FDS." Journal of the Korea Society of Disaster Information, Vol. 19, No. 3, pp. 609-623.

[5] National Fire Data System (NFDS) (2017-2023). https://www.nfds.go.kr/.

[6] National Fire Technical Code (NFTC 103). (2023). Technical Standard for Fire Safety of Sprinkler Systems. National Fire Agency, Sejong.

[7] National Logistics Information Center (NLIC). (2020-2024). https://www.nlic.go.kr/nlic/parcelServiceLogistics.action.

[8] NFPA 13 (2022). Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, National Fire Protection Association, Quincy. MA, US.

[9] Quintiere, J. G. (2006). Principles of Fire Behavior (2nd ed.). CRC Press, New York, US.

Journal of the Society of Disaster Information ISSN:1976-2208(Print) 2671-5287(Online) 한국재난정보학회논문집

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