A case study on the fire extinguisher and signage at retailer Matalan’s Corby distribution centre. Tyco Fire and Integrated Solutions’s use of photoluminescent, floor-mounted signs mean that a clear escape route is identified to Matalan staff.
Matalan trades from five million square feet in 200 high street stores, with several national distribution centres. Over £1 billion of stock passed through these centres last year, including over 14.5 million boxed and hanging garments through Kirkby “Galaxy” DC, Lancashire, nearly six million through Corby, Northamptonshire and 4.5 million through Knowsley, Merseyside.
A revamp of the Corby distribution centre has seen the old multi-storage facility, with mechanical crane, given over to a hanging garment despatch system over six storeys, made possible by adding five mezzanine floors in the warehouse. With racks of clothing making the usual high level fire safety signage unsuitable, Tyco Fire and Integrated Solutions (TFIS) was called in for a £8k supply and install contract.
Nick Scrafton, service sales consultant at TFIS, says: “We opted for high-quality photoluminescent signs on the floor. These are AAA rated, giving a high light output of 25 lux and are very durable. They come with a two-year manufacturer’s guarantee but I expect they will be good for at least five years.”
Tony Hales, safety advisor at Matalan, adds: “We tested these in a darkened room and they showed up remarkably well. “Tyco were innovative, open to suggestions and we are very pleased with the solution.”
TFIS also developed a location strategy for the 120 fire extinguishers installed in the refurbishment of the centre. “You can’t just place these around the edge of the warehouse because of the mezzanine floors,” says Nick Scrafton. “We’ve deliberated where they should go, looking at all locations, and came up with a back board system for mounting the extinguishers, with the boards painted red to make them highly visible and numbered.”
TFIS carries out all of the servicing of fire safety equipment at the retail chain’s distribution centres around the UK.
