Fire protection for a quicklime storage warehouse

[jejaram]

What fire protection system can be installed in a large (2.500 m2 - 27.000 ft2) storage warehouse where the only product is quicklime in big bags, since quicklime produces a violent exothermic reaction when in contact with water and in such a large area an extinguishing gas would be unthinkable?

Thanks.

 

[chicopee]

I would concentrate more on keeping water or moisture out of the building and forget an automatic fire protection system but do have dry chemical fire extingusihers available in case the bags start spreading fire.

 

[jejaram]

Thaks for your input. What you suggest is what they have there, almos exteriorproof warehouse and chemical powder portable extinguishers, so I think they're ok.

 

[cdafd]

How are they storing the bags

On pallets on floor

On pallets on racks

If it does catch on fire then what??

Local authority and fire dept has approved this??

 

[chicopee]

Since quick lime is inorganic, I don't believe any fine dust released into the air would be explosive; so only the bags could catch fire. I would not use an automatic sprinkler system for obvious reasons. Also prohibit smoking and ensure that there is no spark generated from forktruck, and use explosion proof electrical switches, lighting, etc..; altho I am not sure if any NFPA material require such item, so double check your NFPA literature. For clean up tools such as shovels, I would look for non-sparking, if you can find them. With the situation described above, all safety measures that you can think of would be a great asset. And don't forget safety training with the personel.

 

[jejaram]

thanks for your answers.

The big bags will be placed one on top of the other. According to the customer no pallets will be used since the bags are the hanging type.

 

[cdafd]

On the floor???? floor/ water??? Not good

Hanging bags???

Little more clarity