519,104 Square Feet. Multiple Temperature Zones. One Integrated Fire Protection Solution.
Client: Frontier Scientific Solutions
Fire Protection Contractor: North American Fire Protection
Location: Wilmington International Airport, Wilmington, North Carolina
Facility Size: 519,104 Square Feet
Temperature Range: Ambient Storage to −20°F Freezer
Building Height: 45 Feet
The Challenge
Frontier Scientific needed to protect a massive pharmaceutical facility with vastly different fire protection demands, from high-density storage to freezer environments operating at −20°F. Conventional sprinkler layouts alone could not address the specialized requirements of insulated ceilings, temperature-sensitive spaces and secure storage.
This project required fire protection systems capable of safeguarding:
Each zone presented a different hazard profile and operating temperature. The challenge was designing one coordinated fire protection system that would perform reliably across the entire cold storage distribution facility while protecting temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical product.
The Solution
North American Fire Protection delivered comprehensive design-build fire protection for the facility:
The result is a set of fire protection systems designed to protect people, product and operations across every temperature zone in the building.
Value Delivered
North American Fire Protection delivered more than a code-compliant fire sprinkler system. We provided a complete fire protection solution designed around the owner’s product integrity goals and the design-builder’s construction schedule.
Project value included:
Scope of Services
North American Fire Protection provided complete fire protection services, including:
Why This Project Matters
Life sciences cold storage fire protection demands more than standard warehouse fire protection.
High-density storage, freezer environments, insulated ceilings and temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical product each require a different fire protection strategy. Protecting these facilities requires specialized design, careful coordination with the design-builder and experience with complex industrial construction.
The Frontier Scientific Solutions facility demonstrates North American Fire Protection’s expertise as an industrial fire sprinkler contractor delivering distribution center fire sprinkler systems for cold storage, pharmaceutical and mission-critical operations where reliability and product integrity cannot be compromised.
About Frontier Scientific Solutions
Frontier Scientific Solutions is building a global gateway dedicated to the life sciences supply chain. Its cGMP cold storage distribution facility at Wilmington International Airport is the first phase of a three-phase development supported by a $1.5 billion investment from GID.
With direct airfield access and Free Trade Zone benefits, the facility is designed to speed the safe transport of time-sensitive and temperature-sensitive biopharmaceutical products between the United States and Europe. A sister facility is planned at Shannon Airport in Ireland.
Project Impact
Built to Protect
From life sciences cold storage and pharmaceutical distribution centers to food processing facilities and mission-critical operations, North American Fire Protection designs and installs fire protection systems for complex environments where performance, reliability and business continuity matter.
As a national fire protection contractor and design-build fire sprinkler contractor, our team delivers ESFR sprinkler systems, freezer fire sprinkler systems and complete fire protection services built around your facility, your schedule and your long-term operational success.
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Dry pendent sprinklers are typically installed in food process plants and box-in-box freezers where temperatures are below 40 degrees F.
Dry pipe sprinkler systems are generally used in cold climates and are highly effective in cold-temperature fire protection.
Early Suppression Fast Response (ESFR) systems are quick-responding, high-volume sprinkler systems that provide exceptional protection for high-piled storage occupancies.
Fire pumps are an essential part of many water-based fire protection systems. Fire Pumps are used to increase the water pressure (measured in psi) when the original water source is not adequate for the system it’s supplying.
NAFPCO designs and installs in-rack fire sprinkler systems to protect racked storage areas in warehouses, where early suppression fast response (ESFR) or ceiling-only sprinkler systems cannot be employed.
Pre-action fire sprinkler systems employ the basic concept of a dry pipe system in that water is not normally contained within the pipes.
Wet pipe systems are the most common fire sprinkler systems. A wet pipe system is one in which water is constantly maintained within the sprinkler piping.
A special hazards fire suppression system is used to put out fires in areas where water damage from fire sprinklers can cause costly or irreparable damage to the assets being protected.
Linear Heat Detection (LHD) is an important component of fire protection systems, as it is designed to detect heat along the length of a sensor cable.
