Fire testing regarding the performance of a fire-extinguishing system

In order to test the extinguishing effect of a sprinkler system by Minimax GmbH & Co. KG in an existing building unit of Chemiepark Bitterfeld-Wolfen GmbH, MFPA Leipzig GmbH realised full-scale on-site fire testing.

The goal of these fire tests was to verify the extinguishing performance under realistic conditions. The existing fire load was calculated by the fire protection firm Dr.-Ing. Rönn based on the actual circumstances, and a realistic 6 m x 6 m x 6 m big room was recreated by staff members of Chemiepark Bitterfeld-Wolfen GmbH.

A structurally identical sprinkler system was installed by Minimax GmbH & Co. KG. Among the special features of these tests were the simulation of an existing glass door that is listed as a historic monument, paired with the installation height of the sprinkler elements of 6 m that is not in line with approval standards. The parameters that had to be monitored during these tests were the response time and the extinguishing effect of the sprinkler systems, in combination with the specified ceiling height and the heat development on the historic door.

Based on possible fire scenarios, the fire tests were conducted in three cycles, in which the response behaviour of the sprinkler system was tested at different fire loads. For this purpose, between 28 kg and 112 kg of spruce wood were set on fire in the form of standard wood cribs.

The on-site fire brigade of Chemiepark Bitterfeld-Wolfen provided fire safety assistance during the tests.