Presentation:
Description: Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS) are a broad class of material handling and storage systems incorporating automation, robotics, dense storage configurations, and innovative storage methods. As with all emerging technologies, there is an inherent lag in the development of effective fire protection and fire prevention due to the lack of experience and understanding of the hazards and challenges associated with technology. There have been several notable fires involving ASRS facilities experienced globally such as the Amazon Distribution fire in Redlands, California in 2020, the Ocado Supermarket Automated Warehouse fire in Erith, UK in 2021, and the Canadian Tire fire in Toronto, Canada in 2023. This presentation will discuss the current state of ASRS facilities, trends in ASRS practices, and fire protection design schemes being utilized in practice.
Guest Presenter: Mark Hopkins, PE, FSFPE
Mark Hopkins, P.E., FSFPE, Engineering Director and Industry Liaison with Summit Fire Consulting, is a registered Fire Protection Engineer with over 30 years of experience in the fire protection industry. Hopkins has both B.S. (’92) and M.S. (’96) degrees from the University of Maryland, College Park in fire protection engineering. He has experience as a sprinkler fitter, designer, inspector, contractor, and engineer. Hopkins is a member of the NFPA 13 (SSI), 30B, 72 (IDS), 200, 909 and 914 technical committees. He is an SFPE International Board Member, SFPE Fellow, Immediate Past President of the SFPE Chesapeake Chapter, Maryland State Fire Prevention Commissioner, and an adjunct lecturer for the University of Maryland Department of Fire Protection Engineering.
Hopkins has authored many technical articles, newsletters, and other publications. He was the primary author of a corrosion investigation protocol developed for the State of NY, Office of General Services. Hopkins was also a contributing author for the NFSA’s Expert of the Day Handbook, author of a chapter on Corrosion in Sprinkler Systems, for the 2022 edition of the NFPA Fire Protection Handbook, and a contributing author for Chapters 28 and 29 of the 2019 edition of the NFPA 13 Handbook. In addition, he co-authored the NIST publication titled, The Performance of the Fire Suppression Systems in the World Trade Center Disaster, NCSTAR 1-4B. Hopkins has authored several FPRF reports including Challenges to the Fire Service in Storage Facilities, Quantification of Water Supply Adjustments, and Identifying the Landscape of Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems.
