By Rodger Reiswig, Vice President, Industry Solutions, Johnson Controls 

Rodger Reiswig, Vice President, Industry Solutions, Johnson ControlsAs companies continue to experience growth, larger and taller warehouses are being built to keep up with this demand. But traditional methods of fire protection installations cannot reach these new heights, opening the door for new and innovative installation methods.

One multinational home goods company experienced this opportunity for innovation firsthand. Company leaders knew it was time to expand and construct a new distribution center in Quebec, Canada, so they turned to long-time partner, Johnson Controls for their building and fire protection expertise. After previously partnering to complete a successful warehousing project in the United States, the company’s leaders knew Johnson Controls understood exactly what they needed in the new Canadian facility: a solution that was budget conscious and kept employees safe while protecting inventory and assets in the event of a fire. With a quick turnaround time and unique installation challenges due to the facility’s size, Johnson Controls stepped in to empower their long-term goals.

Innovative installation leads to cost savings that can’t be beat

Traditionally, the installation of fire protection in a warehouse of this size would require sending an installer on-site multiple times, resulting in higher labor costs. However, in this circumstance, Johnson Controls experts drew from their expertise to propose a unique and industry-leading strategy that involved installing fire protection piping within the facility’s structure, otherwise known as the racking system. To keep costs level and meet the unique needs of such a large building, technicians divided the 110-foot scaffolding into four sections and assembled the equipment on the first floor then raised into position, resulting in a 50% reduction in project labor costs.

Creating long-term partnerships for continuous building improvement

With proper planning prioritized from the very beginning, the project ran smoothly and remains on schedule for completion after two years. By aligning installation processes to the facility’s unique size, Johnson Controls ensured the warehouse remains a safe working environment that protects employees and supports growth.

Following the project’s completion, the customer was pleased with the results from start to finish and decided to continue its partnership with Johnson Controls long-term. As the warehouse’s official fire detection service provider, Johnson Controls innovative installation approach will play an integral role in the company’s expansion and customer service.

To learn more about Johnson Controls fire detection and suppression services, click here.