7R Glossary
ESFR (Early Suppression Fast Response)
What should you know?
The ESFR standard was developed in response to the needs of modern logistics, where goods are stored at increasingly higher levels on racking systems. Traditional sprinkler systems were designed merely to control a fire and limit its spread until the fire department arrived. ESFR sprinklers operate differently—their purpose is to completely and immediately extinguish a fire in its early stages.
ESFR nozzles discharge water in much larger droplets and at a higher pressure than traditional sprinklers. As a result, the water droplets have sufficient mass to penetrate the dense column of hot fire gases (known as the thermal plume) and strike the burning material directly on the floor or on the lower shelves of the racks.
ESFR in Practice 7R
All Class A warehouse facilities developed by 7R are equipped as standard with sprinkler systems compliant with the ESFR standard (designed in accordance with NFPA 13 or VdS standards). This gives our tenants complete flexibility in reconfiguring the racking layout—they can adjust storage level heights and aisle configurations without the costly need to modify the inter-rack piping systems, which significantly reduces the costs of adapting the facility.
ESFR ceiling system vs. traditional sprinkler system
| Criterion | ESFR (Early Suppression Fast Response) System | Traditional sprinkler system (Control Mode) |
|---|---|---|
| Main objective | Complete suppression and extinguishment of the fire | Fire containment until the arrival of the State Fire Service units |
| Rack-mounted sprinklers | Usually not required up to certain amounts | Required for installation on every shelf level |
| Drops of water | High mass and high kinetic energy | A light fog, easily dispersed by heat |
| Warehouse Flexibility | High (easy to rearrange the shelves) | Low (rigid water supply system in the cabinet) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Depending on the design standard used (e.g., NFPA or FM Global) and the flammability class of the stored goods, ESFR ceiling-mounted sprinklers allow for the safe storage of goods in warehouses up to 12–13.5 meters high without the need to install a sprinkler system inside the racking shelves.
The primary benefit is the reduction of the risk of mechanical damage to the fire suppression system caused by forklifts (which is a common problem with pipes running inside racking). Additionally, the tenant avoids costs running into the thousands associated with dismantling and reassembling the fire suppression system every time the layout of the racking aisles is changed.