The complex was protected throughout by automatic sprinklers, including inrack
sprinklers in a number of locations. (See Appendix C for automatic sprinkler
design information). In addition, small hose stations with 75-feet of fire hose and
adjustable spray nozzles were reportedly distributed throughout the manufacturing and
storage areas. Twenty-six automatic sprinkler risers were supplied from a 12-inch
looped fire protection water supply main around the Complex. The looped main also
supplied yard hydrants spaced at about 300 feet intervals. (See Appendix A for site fire
protection diagram). Each automatic sprinkler riser was controlled by a post indicator
valve (PIV) near its connection to the looped main. In addition, the looped fire protection
main was subdivided by PIV’s to allow segments to be isolated along with the
hydrants and risers in that segment.
Water supplies to the looped fire protection consisted of two separate city water
main connections and two on-site fire protection water reservoirs, each with a diesel
engine driven fire pump. The city water main connections were from public mains on the
north and south sides of the complex and these public mains did not involve the same
parts of the city water main grid. On-site water storage reservoir and pump combination
“A” was a 500,000 gallon grade level tank supplying a 2,500 gpm, 125 psi diesel engine
driven fire pump. Reservoir and pump combination “B” was a 400,000 gallon grade level
tank supplying a 2,000 gpm, 125 psi diesel engine driven fire pump.
The city water main connection on the north side of the property was a 10-inch
connection to the 10-inch circulating city water main on Swift Street. This city connection
also supplied the automatic water fill system on each fire protection water reservoir
and a 10-inch supply line directly to the plant’s looped main. The city water connection
on the south side of the property was a 12-inch connection to the 10-inch circulating
city water main on Lukken Industrial Drive West. This city connection also supplied an
8-inch domestic service into the complex.
With the on-site fire pumps operating and the city water supply connections,
over 8,500 gpm at 20 psi would have been available for fire protection needs. Over
6,000 gpm at more than 95 psi would have been available on the looped fire protection
main for use by the automatic sprinkler systems.
Each automatic sprinkler riser appeared to have an outside water motor gong.
Paddle type electric water flow switches on each sprinkler riser were supervised and
monitored by a Pyrotronics System 3 fire alarm panel located in the guard house on the
south side of the site. This panel was monitored by a central station fire alarm service
and also directly connected to the Troup County 911 Emergency Dispatch Center.
Supervision of the outside PIV’s was done with plastic breakaway tags which
were reportedly checked during weekly recorded inspections. Although it could not be
confirmed, LaGrange firefighters reported that some PIV’s may have been closed at the
time of the fire. The location of these PIV’s could not be identified at the time of this
investigation. Supervision and monitoring of the fire pumps, valving, and controls could
not be determined because access to the pump houses was denied.
Regular testing and maintenance of the fire detection and alarm system was provided
by the central station fire alarm service. LaGrange Fire Department indicated that
the Milliken facility had frequent unwanted/false alarms from the fire alarm system.
Milliken officials indicated that there were several locations within the Complex
where the evacuation alarm signal could be activated. This system was reportedly used
to alert employees to the rapidly spreading fire conditions during the incident. It is
believed that this system performed satisfactorily.
Next » The Fire
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