Komsa is one of the leading distributors and service providers for the information and communications industry. Around 1,700 employees at locations in Germany and Poland ensure that the devices arrive where they are needed. To optimize its logistics processes, the company set up an AutoStore small parts warehouse at its headquarters in Hartmannsdorf in 2017, covering an area of 675 square metres. Around 25,000 plastic containers, each with a capacity of 70 liters, are stacked closely next to and on top of each other. A self-supporting aluminum construction (grid) divides the storage area into rectangular bays. Up to 16 containers can be stacked on top of each other in each bay.

The height and shape of the grid can be individually selected depending on the storage situation, for example to integrate existing columns and obstacles in the storage areas. The rails for the robots are located on the grid module. These can move in two directions and thus reach any position in the grid to pick up, transport and set down containers. Nine picking modules, which are installed on the sides of the AutoStore system, transfer the bins with the stored goods to the pickers. The return of the bins after removal of the stored goods is carried out quickly and fully automatically by the robots.

Fire-related disturbances - a no-go
In addition to personal, environmental and property protection, particular emphasis was placed on minimizing fire-related disruptions when defining the protection goals. Processes should run smoothly and the ability to deliver should be maintained. "When planning the warehouse, it was already clear to us that we would not be able to cope with conventional fire protection equipment such as a fire protection solution based on sprinkler technology," says Gernot Graebner, Supply Chain Manager at Komsa. "In the event of an extinguishing process using water, the defined protection targets cannot be guaranteed," explains Wagner project manager Thomas Niemetz. "The AutoStore warehouse is not divided into aisles like a conventional small parts warehouse, but has a very compact structure and is completely filled with containers. In the worst case scenario, the extinguishing water does not even reach the source of the fire, as the stacked containers prevent this. It's hard to imagine what a catastrophe that could end in." And even if the fire were successfully extinguished, the consequences would be devastating.

"The effects of fire, such as high temperatures, smoke and extinguishing water, would contaminate and destroy our goods. This leads to the interruption of our operating processes and consequently to the loss of our ability to deliver," says Graebner. "So we quickly came across the active fire prevention technology OxyReduct from Wagner."

Intelligent fire protection with oxygen reduction
The active fire prevention system used permanently reduces the oxygen concentration in the protected area of the AutoStore system to a level appropriate to the risks. The oxygen reduction system required for this is installed in a container located outside the logistics hall. There, a generator produces nitrogen from the ambient air in a purely physical process, which is fed into the small parts warehouse as required through a pipe system. Here, the nitrogen is distributed and forms the protective atmosphere. Titanus air sampling smoke detectors for early fire detection are installed as the basis of the VdS-certified solution with OxyReduct. They detect even small quantities of smoke particles. For example, smoke contamination can be minimized by immediately switching off the energy supply. "The combination of fire prevention and fire detection results in a maximum level of protection," says Niemetz.

Fire protection that grows with you
Another advantage: OxyReduct is scalable - an aspect that could make itself felt in the not too distant future. After all, digitalization is in full swing everywhere. Accordingly, the goods stored at Komsa are in high demand, and demand is rising continuously. "With the AutoStore system, we have created a very flexible and scalable storage solution. We only need to expand the aluminum construction and use additional robots, and the storage capacity can be doubled," says Werner. "And the fire protection can grow just as easily," explains Niemetz. "If the AutoStore system grows, our fire protection solution can be adapted to provide optimum protection at all times."