Protected areas
01 / Waste disposal
Protcted area
In waste handling and disposal areas, various residual materials, packaging and recyclables are collected, sorted and temporarily stored. Cardboard and waste compactors reduce storage volume to optimise transport and logistics. Additional outdoor containers are often used for interim waste storage. Due to the high fire load, varying material composition and mechanical processes, these zones present an elevated risk of fire and smoke development.
Risks
- Self-ignition due to heat accumulation or insufficient ventilation
- Large quantities of easily combustible materials such as paper, cardboard and plastics
- Arson or external interference in outdoor areas
- Carelessly discarded cigarettes or sparks from adjacent systems
- Overheating of compactors, conveyor systems or compression equipment
Solution
For indoor waste disposal areas, sprinkler or water mist systems provide reliable fire suppression. They extinguish quickly, prevent fire spread to adjacent areas and minimise consequential damage. In outdoor zones, the systems are supplemented with frost-protected or dry pipe networks to ensure operational reliability even at low temperatures.
For larger compaction or collection areas, water spray systems with open nozzles provide area-wide cooling and effective fire suppression. Activation is carried out via a fire detection system with industrial fire or heat sensors, enabling fast and automatic system activation in the event of an incident.
When automatic extinguishing monitors are used, detection and precise targeting of the monitor are handled by the DIAS detection system. The addition of a foam concentrate (FireDos) can further increase extinguishing efficiency.
02 / Break rooms and office areas
Protected Area
Break rooms and office areas are among the most frequently used spaces in administrative and operational buildings. They are places for work, communication and rest — including individual and open-plan offices, conference rooms, kitchenette areas, break zones and adjacent circulation spaces. These rooms serve not only daily work organisation but also the well-being and safety of personnel.
Due to the large number of electrical devices and the high level of daily use, they place specific demands on preventive fire protection.
Risks
- Faults in electrical devices (computers, monitors, printers, projectors)
- Overheating of lighting or heating systems
- Short circuits or smouldering fires in vending machines or small appliances
- Ignition of easily combustible materials such as paper or textiles
- Unattended devices in kitchenette or break areas
Solution
For office areas and break rooms, water-based extinguishing systems provide fast and reliable response. Water mist systems offer a particularly efficient solution, as they cool the fire source precisely while significantly reducing water consumption and potential consequential damage. In areas with higher fire loads or large room volumes, automatic sprinkler systems ensure comprehensive area protection — providing maximum personal safety and safeguarding operational continuity.
03 / Emergency power supply
Protected Area
Emergency power supply systems ensure the availability of electrical energy in the event of a power outage and thus safeguard the operation of critical infrastructure. They automatically switch to independent power generation as soon as the public grid fails, preventing production interruptions, data loss or equipment damage.
The generator units are typically installed in separate, well-ventilated rooms to ensure safe operation, efficient cooling and easy maintenance
Risks
- Self-ignition of diesel fuel on overheated surfaces
- Leaks in fuel or lubrication oil lines
- Fire development in switchboards or control units
- Overheating due to insufficient room ventilation
- Soot, oil and dust deposits increasing the fire load
Solution
For rooms housing emergency power supply systems, water mist extinguishing systems are particularly suitable, as they suppress fires quickly and effectively without damaging sensitive components. The fine mist cools the fire source immediately and locally reduces the oxygen concentration — with minimal water consumption and low risk of consequential damage.
In enclosed or safety-critical facility areas, AccurateFlow can be used as an alternative. By precisely introducing inert gases (IG-100, IG-01, IG-55, IG-541), the fire is reliably suppressed — residue-free, gentle on materials and with maximum operational reliability. Activation is carried out via a fire detection system with flame or heat detection, ensuring a rapid response.
04 / Shops and retail areas
Protected Area
Shops and retail areas are characterised by open spatial layouts, high-quality materials and sophisticated lighting concepts. Generous entrance zones, atriums and galleries create transparency and a representative appearance. In addition to aesthetic considerations, the protection of customers, employees and goods is of primary importance. The combination of high visitor frequency, complex architecture and numerous electrical loads places specific demands on planning, operation and fire protection technology.
Risks
- Easily combustible goods and packaging materials
- Electrical faults or short circuits in devices and lighting systems
- Overheating of lighting fixtures and display illumination
- Improper handling of open ignition sources or arson
- Rapid fire and smoke development due to open architecture and air circulation
Solution
In retail areas, sprinkler systems are primarily used to provide effective protection for people and assets. In architecturally demanding environments, visually discreet sprinkler solutions allow for an aesthetically unobtrusive integration into ceiling and lighting designs.
Open spatial structures such as atriums or galleries require precise coordination of airflow, detection and extinguishing agent distribution to ensure rapid fire detection and uniform suppression performance.
A fire detection system with smoke or heat sensors ensures early alarm notification — providing maximum safety while maintaining architectural quality.
05 / Electrical and control rooms
Protected Area
Electrical and control rooms are central control and distribution areas within industrial facilities. They contain switchgear, control units and communication components that ensure the operation of electrical and automated processes. The equipment is often installed on raised floors, beneath which extensive cabling is routed. Due to the high power density and their critical importance to the overall facility, even minor faults can lead to production downtime or system failures.
Risks
- Electrical short circuits caused by overload or insulation faults
- Overheating due to insufficient ventilation
- Ignition of cable insulation or plastic housings
- Technical defects or operating errors
- Dust and dirt accumulation inside switchgear panels
Solution
AccurateFlow protects electrical and control rooms through the targeted use of inert gases (IG-100, IG-01, IG-55, IG-541), ensuring rapid and residue-free fire suppression. The oxygen concentration is reduced to a level at which the combustion reaction ceases, without affecting the sensitive electrical infrastructure.
Activation is carried out via a fire detection system with a highly sensitive aspirating smoke detection system or point-type detectors. This ensures early activation — providing maximum operational reliability and minimal downtime.
06 / Server rooms
Protected Area
Server rooms are among the most sensitive areas of modern IT infrastructure. They store, process and distribute central data across networks. These systems require a stable environment with constant temperature, controlled humidity and an uninterrupted power supply. Even short outages or fire events can have serious consequences for operational processes and data security — potentially leading to production stoppages or financial losses. A precisely coordinated fire protection concept is therefore indispensable.
Risks
- Overheating of server and network systems
- Electrical faults or short circuits
- Local heat accumulation caused by improper airflow
- Rapid fire and smoke development even from small ignition sources
- Significant consequential damage from heat, smoke or inappropriate extinguishing agents
Solution
For enclosed IT areas, AccurateFlow provides highly effective and residue-free protection. By selectively introducing inert gases (IG-100, IG-01, IG-55, IG-541), the oxygen concentration in the room is reduced to a level at which fires are reliably suppressed — without affecting the hardware. Extinguishing is uniform and controlled, allowing ongoing operations to continue with minimal interruption.
Activation is carried out via a fire detection system with an aspirating smoke detection system or multi-sensor detection, which identifies even minimal particle concentrations and responds at an early stage. This creates a clean, sustainable and operationally reliable fire protection concept for sensitive IT infrastructures.
07 / Storage rooms
Protected area
Storage rooms are used for the orderly storage of materials, products and operating supplies. Depending on their purpose, they may contain office and consumable items, cleaning and hygiene products, tools, spare parts or retail goods. In some cases, refrigerated or deep-freeze units are integrated, which place additional demands on ventilation, temperature control and fire protection.
The wide variety of stored goods and packaging materials results in differing fire loads and requires a coordinated protection concept.
Risks
- Short circuits in electrical wiring or distribution panels
- Carelessly discarded cigarettes or other ignition sources
- High fire load due to densely stored materials and packaging
- Rapid fire spread in the absence of fire compartmentation
- Overheating of equipment or lighting systems
Solution
For warehouse and logistics areas, sprinkler or water spray extinguishing systems are predominantly used. They ensure comprehensive cooling and rapid fire suppression, with sprinklers able to be integrated directly into racking systems depending on the storage type. Freezer cells are safely incorporated into the extinguishing concept using dry sprinklers to prevent the pipe network from freezing.
In enclosed storage rooms or areas containing particularly valuable materials, AccurateFlow provides an effective additional layer of protection. By using inert gases in a targeted manner (IG-100, IG-01, IG-55, IG-541), the oxygen concentration is reduced and combustion is reliably suppressed—residue-free, gentle on materials, and low-maintenance.
08 / Parking areas
Protected area
Parking areas and underground car parks are integral components of modern building structures. They provide parking spaces for employees, customers and visitors, and are often designed as multi-storey or underground facilities. Due to the high vehicle density, limited air circulation and intensive use, they place special demands on ventilation, smoke extraction and fire protection. In addition to ensuring personal safety, the primary focus is on containing vehicle fires and preventing the spread of smoke.
Risks
- Technical faults in vehicles (e.g. short circuits, battery or fuel fires)
- Careless smoking or open flames
- Arson or intentional ignition sources
- Rapid fire and smoke development due to confined structural layout
- Heat accumulation and insufficient smoke extraction in lower levels
Solution
In parking structures and underground car parks, water-based extinguishing systems are primarily used to quickly suppress fires and prevent them from spreading to adjacent vehicles. Water mist systems from Marioff or VID Firekill nozzles provide a particularly efficient and resource-conserving solution, as they achieve strong cooling performance with minimal water consumption and reduce consequential damage.
For large ceiling heights or expansive parking decks, automatic sprinkler systems are used. They are supplied via the existing firefighting water network and ensure uniform area coverage.
A fire detection system with smoke or heat sensing ensures early alarm activation — providing maximum protection for people and property in highly frequented parking areas.
In office buildings and high-rise structures, structural fire protection is planned already in the design phase and closely coordinated with the technical equipment. A fundamental requirement is the installation of a fire detection system with a central control unit located in the porter’s or security room.
For larger office areas or multi-storey buildings, the installation of a fixed extinguishing system is additionally required — in most cases, a sprinkler system is mandated by authorities or insurers. In certain situations, however, the use of a water mist system can be a sensible alternative, for example when water storage needs to be reduced, a lower installation height of the piping is desired, or the risk of water damage must be minimized.
A possible fire protection concept for an office building might include optical smoke detectors in offices, corridors, and technical rooms, as well as a sprinkler or water mist system for automatic fire suppression. Water mist systems in particular are becoming increasingly important in office and administrative buildings, as they provide efficient fire protection while minimally impacting ongoing operations.
In smaller hotels, a fire detection system is often sufficient to ensure early detection and alarm. Due to the compact layout and manageable number of people, guests can be evacuated quickly in an emergency.
In larger hotel complexes, an automatic extinguishing system is required in addition to the fire detection system. In most cases, a sprinkler system is used.
However, water mist systems are increasingly being installed due to their advantages — such as reduced water storage requirements, lower water damage, and slimmer piping systems.
These systems provide optimal protection while maintaining the highest level of discretion — a crucial factor in the hotel sector.
Fire protection in shopping centres requires a precise interplay of structural, technical, and organisational measures. These buildings combine high visitor numbers, extensive sales areas, and units with diverse uses — an environment that places special demands on safety and planning.
Typical measures include the use of fire-resistant materials, the creation of fire compartments through fire-resistant structural elements, and short, clearly marked escape routes. These are complemented by fire detection systems, sprinkler systems, and smoke and heat exhaust ventilation systems (RWA).
Active fire protection generally consists of a combination of fire detection and sprinkler systems. In sensitive areas where delicate goods or technical installations must be protected, a water mist system can also be a sensible alternative.
ACCURO develops and implements fire protection solutions for shopping centres in full compliance with applicable building regulations and official requirements — reliable, safe, and economically efficient.
