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Fiberglass Enclosure for Fire Suppression SystemCase Study

Fire Suppression Valve House Protects Critical Systems

Vallen Safety Services specializes in supplying, installing, and maintaining fire suppression systems designed to protect critical machinery, vehicles, fuel bays, and mining personnel. Recently, they provided one of their customers with a valve house for a fire suppression system featuring a Shelter Works fiberglass enclosure as a key component.

The fiberglass valve house safeguards the suppression system's piping, valves, and control panel. Located outdoors in a production unit at a large chemical refinery in Southern Louisiana's industrial corridor, this fiberglass shelter provides freeze protection for a fire suppression system. The system must remain above 40°F to ensure functionality and reliability. Freeze protection is critical for fire suppression systems, especially those kept in outdoor conditions.

Built to Withstand Harsh Industrial Environments

The Shelter Works fiberglass enclosure in this application includes an explosion-proof heater to maintain internal temperatures during cold weather. This feature helps to prevent the freezing of the water and foam lines within the suppression system, which could otherwise render it inoperable during emergencies. Fiberglass shelters' insulating properties further enhance thermal efficiency, reducing energy consumption for heating.

Customization was essential to meet the project's requirements. The most noticeable feature of the shelter is its Safety Red color, chosen per OSHA General Industry Standards. The color red identifies fire protection equipment inside, providing quick recognition during emergencies.

Quick Installation, Lasting Results

Anthony Calamia, LSS Solutions Specialist at Vallen Safety Services, emphasized the advantages of using fiberglass. "Utilizing your one-piece fiberglass valve house makes for an easy installation and keeps installation costs low. The fiberglass is easy to maintain and long-lasting. In some older plants, you will see small cinderblock buildings used as valve houses, but they are labor-intensive and time-consuming to build. We can bring in a one-piece valve house, drop it onto the new concrete slab, and bolt it in place."

This project marked Calamia's first experience working with Shelter Works. He described the process as "great" and added, "We will definitely be using Shelter Works in the future for our valve house purchases."

Shelter Works fiberglass enclosures provide a durable, efficient, and customizable solution for freeze protection and other critical needs in fire suppression systems.