Safeguarding a Sugar Mill in Mpumalanga - Elite Fire Protection Implements Robust Fire Protection Systems

Safeguarding a Sugar Mill in Mpumalanga by Implementing Robust Fire Protection Systems

Description of Project

Elite Fire Protection was requested to participate in a tender process for a sugar mill in Mpumalanga.
A sugar cane mill is a factory that processes sugar cane to produce raw sugar or plantation white sugar.

The client has a storage warehouse for all its raw produced sugar, which is currently a high fire risk due to the dust produced when front-end loader machines drop the raw produced sugar into the storage warehouse.

Elite Fire Protection is responsible for protecting its various areas requiring protection, as instructed by the Fire Consultant.

ProjectFire Protection Systems
SizeNot applicable
Year of completion2023
ScopeDesign, supply & installation
DisciplineFire Protection

Project Scope

Protection of:

  • Conveyor
  • Canopy
  • Platforms

Supply and Install

  • Hydrant Reticulation
  • Akron GP monitor

Process Outline

Protection of various areas

This project requires protection for various areas as recommended by the fire consultant. This included protection of the conveyor, canopy and platforms. Each area is at a high risk for fast spreading fires and therefore needs protection.

Conveyor

Both the top belt and the return belt of the conveyor requires fire sprinkler protection.  

20mm brass pendent 93-degree fast response sprinkler
20mm brass pendent 93-degree fast response sprinkler

Top belt: 20mm brass pendent 93-degree fast response sprinkler with guard and heat collection plate with quantities of 95 sprinkler heads.

Sidewall quick response sprinkler
Sidewall quick response sprinkler

Return belt: 20mm brass sidewall 93-degree fast response sprinkler with quantities of 95 sprinkler heads.

Canopy

Fire sprinkler protection is needed in the canopy as it links up to the conveyor and platforms which has a bucket elevator containing and transporting all goods.

20mm brass conventional 93-degree fast response sprinkler
20mm brass conventional 93-degree fast response sprinkler

We will be utilising 20mm brass conventional 93-degree fast response sprinklers, with quantities of 45.

Bucket Elevator Platform Protection

Since the platform also feeds from the conveyor and all sections linking to the conveyor containing stock needs protection, and the platform requires it as such.

20mm brass upright 93-degree fast response sprinkler
20mm brass upright 93-degree fast response sprinkler

Sprinkler heads of choice will be the 20mm brass upright 93-degree fast response sprinklers and 20mm brass conventional 93-degree fast response sprinklers.

Supply and Installation

Hydrant Reticulation

This is a new hydrant reticulation that will be installed which is further needed protect the mill and its stock.

Approximately 650m of piping will be required to protect the area, including 7 hydrants and 6 fire hose reels, and 3 fixed monitor canons.   

Akron GP Monitor

Akron GP Manual Monitor
Akron GP Manual Monitor

A GP manual monitor is a cost-effective, high performance firefighting equipment.

In the event of a fire before allowing it to spread to the conveyor, the Akron GP monitors which are manually operated, will dose the fire. Platforms will be built to 2 meters high, high enough to dose the fire from that level spraying up to 50m each. Monitors will be placed in 3 different areas spread throughout the warehouse.

Design

Designs were completed for each area requiring protection by a competent designer, including hydraulic calculations.

Challenges

  • The height to install at the conveyor is going to be quite a challenge. Access machines to reach 25 meters will be required. Safety harnesses will also be critical for the team.
  • The heat that the team needs to withstand is going to be a challenge, especially with wearing all safety equipment (PPEs). Teams will be encouraged to drink water regularly to prevent feeling lethargic and dehydrated whilst working.

Collaboration partners