More than 36,000 food and beverage processing centers operate in the United States. These plants employed 1.7 million workers in 2019 (about 14.7 percent of all U.S. manufacturing employment and just over 1.1 percent of all U.S. nonfarm employment), according to data from the USDA.

The scope and scale of this industry mean there’s a lot on the line economically. Building operators and safety managers are concerned about fire hazards and look to curb the risks of disasters like fires. Yet the food industry’s combinations of cold temperatures and hygiene requirements bring their own specific challenges when it comes to fire protection solutions. Stainless steel sprinklers keep food plants, workers, and consumers safe from pathogens.

Let’s look at how that concept comes alive. Contrary to its name, stainless steel is a group of iron-based alloys that contain a minimum of 11% chromium. This material is used in the construction of much of the equipment found in food and beverage processing facilities because of its long life and the fact that it’s 100% recyclable.

A metal is treated or coated with a film to reduce the reactivity of its surface. Chromium, when included in an alloy, prevents the iron from oxidizing by forming a protective layer. 

Despite constant water passing over this film or wear and tear from tools and other uses, stainless steel remains untainted because the chromium film can self-heal when oxygen is present. 

This means the metal will resist the effects of oxygen, caustic cleaners, and other materials and rusting or pitting. These issues create places for bacteria to harbor and grow and make the facility unsafe for production.

Stainless steel is a clear winner because it can withstand high temperatures and caustic materials. In short, this means workers can clean any equipment to the point of restoring it to its original condition without damage. The material is also used in factories, refineries and chemical plants for the same reasons. 

Beyond the production equipment, stainless steel sprinklers are another use case in food processing facilities. We installed Viking’s stainless steel fusible link sprinkler heads at our recent Mar-Jac Poultry job.  These sprinklers are specifically designed for food processing facilities. 

Food processing industries are vital to our society but have unique needs due to the sensitive materials they handle,” said NAFPCO Vice President Mitch Bortner. “These sprinklers provide our customers with a resilient and durable and fire protection solution that’s also compatible with the needs of food production.”

At North American Fire Protection, we’re proud to delicately handle the demands of food processing facilities all over North America. We can ensure your product stays clean and your workers stay safe through customized fire suppression designs. We look forward to providing you with a custom quote for your next project.