Sprinklered Records Storage Facility (Chicago, Illinois - October 29, 1996) » Lessons Learned

1. Automatic sprinklers must be designed, installed and maintained for the specific hazard present.

   The previous occupancy of the building was a very large printing company and the ceiling only automatic sprinklers were likely adequate for protection of large printing presses. However, the high rack storage of records on solid shelves and with narrow aisles can quickly overwhelm a ceiling only sprinkler system. As the occupancy and operations change in a structure, the fire protection systems need to be reviewed and evaluated to determine if they still provide adequate protection. The responsibility for this task is shared by the occupant and fire department’s prevention and inspection personnel. Fire department company officers or inspectors should be able to recognize a change occurrence and recommend that the fire protection be reviewed by competent professionals.

   While this was one of numerous locations operated by the records storage company and insured by a large carrier, it had not been visited by an insurance loss control representative. Reliance on historically provided technical assistance from the insurance industry on these issues should not be assumed. Rather, local fire authorities need to be proactive in obtaining automatic sprinkler system reviews as the occupancy or operations change.

2. Control valves for automatic sprinkler systems and other fire protection systems should normally be locked in the open position and checked monthly.

   It is possible that some of the automatic sprinklers were turned off prior to the start of the fire because a control valve was found closed after the fire. The securing of valves with locks and chains combined with recorded checks of the valves is usually considered a minimum level of supervision. Valve position can also be monitored by the fire alarm system using electric position switches. Where the valves are readily accessible to the public, many owners also chain and lock the valves open even when supervised by the fire alarm system. Weekly to monthly checks of all valves are specified by NFPA Standard No. 25, Inspection, Testing & Maintenance of Water-Based Extinguishing Systems.

3. High rack storage with narrow aisles represents a significant challenge to interior fire department suppression tactics.

   Boxes of paper records are not necessarily the most challenging type of material being stored in racks. Other materials are capable of releasing energy more rapidly, spreading fire within the racks quicker, and perhaps releasing more toxic smoke. Yet the dense white smoke combined with the maze of aisles and tall storage racks limited safe interior attack. Owners and operators of rack storage facilities and the fire service must together make arrangements for dealing with these limitations before a fire occurs. Prematurely shutting down the automatic sprinkler system in an effort to improve visibility was not done in this case. Historically, this action has resulted in the fire suddenly and rapidly developing to the extent where the sprinklers cannot regain control. Then the entire building and contents are lost. For additional information see NFPA No. 1420, Pre-Incident Planning for Warehouse Occupancies.

4. Ventilation in windowless buildings and those with substantial or fire resistive roofs is difficult.

   Another of the difficulties encountered in this fire incident was the removal of the dense white smoke being produced by this fire. The west exterior wall had only a few openings and none of these openings were high up on the wall. The roof of the fire area was of limited size with roughly three-fourths of the area over the fire being part of the floor above. Where there was a roof, it was constructed of concrete and contained only a few relatively small openings. It was both too difficult and too dangerous for crews to enlarge the existing roof openings. As heavy construction equipment removed the front wall, fire streams could penetrate further into the building and visibility improved. However, the collapsed racks, falling boxes, and structural conditions prevented safe entrance and interior operations.

5. Support of fire separation walls by hose streams and master streams along with firefighter vigilance was important to the successful containment.

   The first floor wall between the front of the building where the fire started and the rear of the building contained two large unprotected openings. Without the master streams and handlines operating at these openings, fire spreading into the near section was probable. Companies were also assigned to masonry separation walls on occupancies to the north and south. These were monitored for separations and fire penetrations and fire door function and integrity tracked. Where feasible, fire streams were also directed into the building from these areas.

6. The damage to records stored in the adjacent area would have been reduced if the practice of keeping storage at least three inches above the floor was followed.

   NFPA No.232A recommends that records be stored at least three inches above the floor to minimize the effects of flooding. The source of the water could be roof leaks, broken pipes, sewer back up, surface runoff, and operating automatic sprinklers. Owners must recognize that while the sprinklers typically discharge less water than fire department hose streams, it is not a trivial amount. On a flat floor without drainage, it can spread to cover a very large area and will contact anything stored on the floor. With the typical cardboard records storage box, the water will be “wicked” up higher and above its actual static depth.

7. The response and assistance of the records center management and employees did not include meeting first arriving companies with information about the facility and personnel accountability.

   According to the Chicago Fire Department’s report, first arriving companies were not meet by a person in authority to provide a description of the fire’s location, arrangement of contents and aisles, description of the contents, and the accounting of employees. The report also makes note of numerous discharged fire extinguishers found near building exits suggesting actions which typically delay initiating an alarm to the fire department. Fire company in-service visits can provide the opportunity for a two-way interchange of information. Owners and managers can obtain guidance from the fire department in the preparation and implementation of emergency procedures which can be used in providing regularly scheduled instruction for their employees. The fire department can obtain information regarding company emergency contacts and procedures that are in place to account for employees in the event of an emergency.