With the launch of the new Series FL-SR/DRY V3613 and V3615 standard response and Series FL-QR/DRY V3614 and V3616 quick response dry sprinkler range, Victaulic says it has become one of the only fire protection solutions providers to offer a CE marked option for cold storage units.
The V36 range comes in pendent or recessed pendent varieties and includes various K-factors and temperature ranges for chiller units up to 6.1 metres in height and has been designed specifically to meet the requirements of the EN12259-1 harmonised standard for sprinklers in cold storage.
When paired with Victaulic’s other innovations, the AB6 bracket and VicFlexTM flexible hoses, the complete solution brings added benefits of easy installation and long-term performance and reliability.
“Fire protection in cold storage comes with its specific challenges and risks, like maintaining thermal integrity, ice and frost accumulation and maintainability. We’re thrilled to introduce the V36 dry sprinkler range, which not only meets rigorous CE standards, but together with our AB6 bracket and VicFlex hoses solves those specific challenges faced by the food and drink, logistics and pharmaceutical sectors,” says Graeme Leonard, EMEA fire protection division manager at Victaulic.
Constructability and labour savings are central to the Victaulic design approach. With approximately 60% of fire protection installation costs attributed to labour, Victaulic solutions significantly reduce this burden. A complete Victaulic cold storage assembly – consisting of a dry sprinkler head, AB6 bracket, and VicFlex hose can be installed by one person in just 15 minutes, compared to the two hours and two people required by alternative systems.
Furthermore, the flexible VicFlex hoses eliminate the need for made-to-order fixed piping, which makes it quick and easy to make on-site adjustments, if required, with no waste. An additional advantage is that the entire assembly can be ordered with just one single SKU.
Victaulic’s innovative AB6 bracket, meanwhile, ensures that the seal integrity remains intact. It absorbs vibrations caused by refrigeration or freezer units, or maintenance activity on the chiller unit’s roof that could weaken the seal over time leading to condensation and ice formation that could compromise sprinkler performance. This adjustable bracket is compatible with various wall thicknesses, ceiling heights, and surface types – including corrugated or dimpled surfaces – offering unparalleled flexibility and reliability.
The new V36 sprinkler range complements Victaulic’s already comprehensive range for cold storage. The AB6 assembly with V36 range can be used for freezer cells up to 6.1 metres.
For freezer cells with a height of 9.1 metres, Victaulic offers the AB6 assembly with Series FL-QR/DRY/ST K11.2 V4001 pendent and V4002 recessed pendent quick response dry sprinklers, which aren’t subject to CE marking requirements.
In May 2024, Victaulic added the Series FL-QR/DRY/ESFR K16.8 V4102 dry sprinkler, with AB6 assembly, for larger storage units up to 12.2 metres. There is no mandatory CE requirement for dry sprinklers of this K-factor, but they are voluntarily CE-marked under an EOTA (European Organisation for Technical Assessment) protocol.
The Series FL-SR/ST/CMSA Storage, Standard Response CMSA Upright Sprinklers K25.2 V4603, which falls outside the scope of the CE marking standard, brings the range to completion and is suitable for cold storage units with a height of 13.7 metres.
This reflects Victaulic’s proactive role in meeting evolving industry needs as cold storage facilities are built ever higher to cope with increasing online grocery shopping demands.
As an active member of both the Cold Chain Federation in the UK and the Global Cold Chain Alliance, Victaulic continues to support and engage with the cold storage industry’s unique fire protection challenges, providing reliable solutions for every scale of cold storage facility.
