Structural cooling in underground car park fires: Why it is essential

Underground parking garage fires pose significant challenges for firefighters and disaster relief organizations. Due to the limited space, high fire load, and potential damage to the building structure, a targeted approach is crucial. A key aspect of firefighting in underground parking garages is structural cooling. In this blog post, we explain why structural cooling is so important, the consequences of inadequate cooling, and how the fire extinguishing hedgehog can be used as an effective support tool.

What is structural cooling and why is it important?

Structural cooling refers to the targeted cooling of building components to prevent damage to the building structure. During underground parking garage fires, temperatures can quickly rise to several hundred degrees Celsius. These extreme temperatures not only endanger the stability of reinforced concrete components but can also lead to structural failure.

Structural cooling ensures that the temperature of the load-bearing elements remains below critical thresholds. This minimizes the risk of collapse and ensures the safety of emergency personnel and the surrounding area. At the same time, the spread of fire is slowed by cooling the adjacent areas.

Consequences of insufficient structural cooling

Inadequate or missing structural cooling can have serious consequences:

Damage to the building's structural integrity: Reinforced concrete loses its load-bearing capacity at high temperatures. Without adequate cooling, there is a risk of ceilings and walls collapsing.

High renovation costs: Even if a collapse can be prevented, the heat causes irreversible damage to the building structure. Repairing such damage is extremely costly.

Danger to emergency personnel: Unstable structures and falling components pose a significant danger to firefighters and other emergency personnel.

Extension of the operation time: Without structural cooling, firefighting can take considerably longer because the heat development remains uncontrolled.

The Löschigel: An innovative solution for structural cooling

The extinguishing hedgehog is a specially developed device that efficiently supports structural cooling in underground parking garage fires. Its design allows for the targeted and even distribution of large amounts of water to affected components.

Advantages of the extinguishing hedgehog for structural cooling:

Efficient water distribution: The extinguishing hedgehog ensures comprehensive cooling, which quickly reduces the temperature of the components.

Safety: Thanks to its clever design, the fire extinguisher can be easily deployed from outside into dangerous and hard-to-reach areas.

Easy to use: The device can be set up and put into operation quickly, saving valuable time during use.

Water-saving: The targeted distribution of water minimizes consumption without compromising effectiveness.

Use of the extinguishing hedgehog in practice

The extinguishing hedgehog is typically positioned directly beneath the threatened components. Its nozzles spray water over a wide radius, ensuring even cooling. Its modular design allows the extinguishing hedgehog to be adapted to the specific requirements of the site.

Conclusion

Structural cooling is an essential component of firefighting in underground garages. Without it, there is a risk of massive damage to the building structure, endangering emergency personnel, and extending response times. The extinguishing hedgehog offers an innovative and effective solution for implementing structural cooling quickly and precisely. It can help increase safety and minimize damage.

If you'd like to learn more about the Feuerhedgel and other innovative firefighting equipment, visit our online shop. Safety made simple – for your operations and your safety.