Description of Project
Elite Fire Protection was approached by an insurance broker representing a frustrated client. The client had received multiple quotations for upgrading his fire sprinkler system, all of which he believed were excessively priced. With a vacant warehouse that could not be rented out until it met tenant and fire safety requirements, he urgently needed a cost-effective, compliant solution without compromising his insurance.
| Industry | Commercial Warehouse |
| Fire Risk Profile | Large warehouse – 8000m2 |
| Challenge | Costly quotations & non-compliant system |
The Problem
The existing fire pump and water storage tanks were not adequately sized for the building and had been incorrectly designed when the property was previously tenanted. Once the tenants vacated, the insurer flagged the system as non-compliant and required the owner to upgrade it to meet insurance standards and ensure full functionality in the event of a fire.
Other companies recommended a complete replacement of the fire protection system, from piping to pumps and tanks, at costs of approximately R6 Million, without exploring the possibility of reusing compliant components from the existing installation to reduce costs and still meet approval.
Our Smart, Compliant Solution
Elite Fire Protection went the extra mile by conducting a detailed site inspection, assessing the existing system, and performing full hydraulic calculations. We also collaborated closely with the fire pump supplier to explore whether the existing pump could be adjusted to meet the required performance based on our calculations.
Following this, we presented the client with two cost-effective, insurance-compliant options:
- Upgrade the roof-level sprinkler protection to align with the capacity of the existing fire pump while the space is vacant, achieving compliance for the current state and reassessing once a tenant moves in.
- Replace the fire pump and tanks to ensure full compliance for storing Category 3 goods, while keeping the existing roof system in place.
Option 1 offered a short-term saving of R5.1 million by upgrading only the roof protection to match the existing pump capacity, with the understanding that the pump and tanks may need to be replaced once a tenant moves in.
Option 2 provided a long-term solution by replacing the pump and tanks to ensure compliance for higher-risk and storage of goods, while retaining the roof protection, resulting in a R3 million saving compared to the full replacement proposals.
The Outcome
- Option 2 was a 50% cost saving for the client versus a new fire protection system.
- SANS 10287 compliance as required by insurance.
The final project cost came in at R3 million, saving the client R3 million.
Elite Fire Protection delivers fire safety that protects both lives and bottom lines. It’s not just fire protection, it’s fire economics.
